Bend Oregon Home To Great Skiing

Mt. Bachelor has some of the best powder in the Pacific Northwest, boasts short lift lines and almost 3,700 acres of winter fun. It sits in the Cascade Mountains within a short drive from Bend Oregon. It is known for its dry snow and some of the best skiing and snow boarding in the West. It has 71 runs and 13 lifts.

Mt. Bachelor has the largest ski area in the Pacific Northwest. It features spectacular views of the Cascade mountain range including Three Sisters and Broken top as well as a view of Bend and Central Oregon. It has an elevation of 9,065 feet above sea level and features downhill skiing from around the middle of November until early summer. Some years in the past have had skiing into July.

Oregon's favorite ski area boasts nearly 400 inches of snow annually. It has a vertical rise of 3,365 feet and features wide bowls and tree-bordered trails as well as vast open snow fields. "The Northwest Territory" is the wild back country and features 500 acres of tree skiing and rugged trails all served by lifts.

Bachelor's lift system is fast and efficient. It features 3 lodges and a Nordic Center. From the Sunrise Lodge you can easily access the vast trail system via the Sunrise Express high-speed quad. It goes up 800 feet to the timberline where you can catch the Summit Express to the top. You can also just ski leisurely back down to the lodge.

The Summit Express is not always open due to wind. If the Summit is closed due to winds you could turn right of the lift and follow the West Village Getback road that crosses the mountain over to the West Village Day Lodge. The West Village Getback crosses various runs named, Cliffhanger, Pat's Way, Chipper, Dentist or DSQ that will take you to Skyliner Express.

The West Village Day Lodge features several options for breakfast or a mid-day break.
If you can beat the crowds to Carver's you will enjoy some of the best food on the mountain. It features an expanded menu including made-to-order salads, smoked meat sandwiches, homemade breads, soups made-to-order burritos and baked potatoes!
For those 21 and older specialty brewed beers are available.

Cocoa's Cafe serves breakfast and lunch daily. It is the place to stop for a quick cup of hot cocoa or a full fledged meal. Breakfast options include bacon croissant, breakfast wraps, fresh made donuts and other bakery items. Lunch offers the famous Mt. Bachelor chili cheese fries, hand tossed pizza, Thai chicken wrap, tacos, nachos grande and sandwiches made to order.

The Clearing Rock Bar, "The Rock", is a full service bar offering lunch for those 21 and older. "The Rock" features Oregon specialty brews, beverage specials and reportedly the best Bloody Mary in the Northwest. Food includes bratwurst and kraut, chipotle chicken nachos and pig wings. Who said pigs can't fly?

If you are just looking for a little pick me up you can hit Pinnacles Espresso Bar on the upper level. It features espresso drinks and specialty baked goods. It is said the chocolate dipped macaroons are incredible.

If you can make it out of the West Village lodge without eating too much you can ride Pine Marten Express to Pine Marten Lodge and its large mid-mountain cafeteria. You can reach just about any trail on the lower mountain from here. Or you can take the Summit Crossover and go straight to the Summit Express lift.

Pine Marten provides access to the Outback which comprises of 6 long runs dropping almost 1,800 feet. It's served by the Outback high-speed quad. Past Outback the Northwest Express quad serves eight intermediate trails that are sheltered by the surrounding trees.

If the wind is howling you can ski the six lower mountain express chairs because they end at timberline which provides much needed shelter from the wind. If you didn't eat and drink too much at the West Village Lodge the Pine Marten Lodge is a good place to rest on windy days if you are skiing the sheltered runs.

Pine Marten Lodge features Scapolo's which is Italian for "Bachelor". It features open hearth gourmet pizzas, fresh garden salads, hot soups wine and a variety of microbrews on tap. Good food and great views make Scapolo's one of the most popular restaurants on the mountain.

Mount Bachelor features terrain for skiers and boarders of all abilities, 15 percent for beginners, 25 percent intermediate, 35 percent advanced and 25 percent for experts. It has 3,683 accessible acres and it's only a short drive from beautiful Bend Oregon. Powder snow and lots of sunshine!