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The Snow Report
The latest snow, ski, and winter sports stories from Outside.
Mount Bachelor eked its way onto our list thanks to its strong environmental and educational programs. Located on U.S. Forest Service land, the day-use hill conforms to the National Environmental Policy Act: There’s a notable recycling program, electricity gets offset with wind-power purchases, and the biodiesel fleet adheres to a strict no-idling rule. There’s little need for snowmaking, either: Of the mountain’s 3,683 skiable acres, only 25 get blanketed in the manufactured stuff. The 71-trail terrain, which gets an impressive 23 percent powder days per season and 387 snowfall inches per year, traverses a modest 3,365 vertical feet serviced by 14 lifts.
The robust ski school enlists Level 3 instructors and occasionally offers Olympian-led clinics. It’s particularly good for beginners: The lauded “Ski or Ride in 5” program ($199 covers five days of lifts, lessons, and rentals, plus a season pass) promises to convert first-timers into lifelong devotees. If kids don’t want to learn to ski, a childcare program keeps them entertained (but closes daily at 3:45 p.m.).
Mount Bachelor also earned points for its gorgeous scenery, as well as its non-ski niceties, like a tube park, snowshoe tours, and roundtrip shuttle access to Bend (stay at the Oxford Hotel) but got docked for not providing 24-hour emergency service—it’s more than 20 miles to the nearest hospital, though a doctor’s on call at hill’s base. There’s not much in the way of housing rentals either, though camping options are plentiful.
Keep an eye on Mount Bachelor, however: Its managers are betting $3 million that renovating and expanding its base area will soon kick this place up a notch.
CONTACT: (800) 829-2442, mtbachelor.com
SEASON: Late November to late May
TICKETS: General: $73, children: $46, seniors: $63; ages 4 and younger: free. Military discount: 50%
