Mount Bachelor ski area

Mount Bachelor ski resort (stylized as Mt. Bachelor) is a ski resort located in Central Oregon, approximately 22 miles (35 km) west of Bend, along Century Drive Highway. The ski area is on the northern side of Mount Bachelor, a stratovolcano rising atop a volcanic shield in the Cascade Range.

Mount Bachelor
Pine Marten Express chairlift in 2009
Mount Bachelor
Location in Oregon
Mount Bachelor
Mount Bachelor (the United States)
LocationMount Bachelor
Deschutes County,
Oregon, U.S.
Nearest major cityBend: 22 mi (35 km) east
Coordinates44.003°N 121.677°W / 44.003; -121.677
Vertical3,365 ft (1,026 m)
lift-served
Top elevation9,065 ft (2,763 m)
Summit Express
Base elevation5,700 ft (1,737 m)
Northwest Express
6,350 ft (1,940 m)
Pine Marten Express
Skiable area4,318 acres (17.5 km2)
Runs101 total
- 15% novice
- 35% intermediate
- 30% advanced
- 20% expert
Longest run4 mi (6.4 km)
Lift system11
- 8 express quads
- 3 triple chairs
- 2 magic carpets
- 2 tubing tows
Terrain parks5
Snowfall462 inches (1,170 cm)[1]
SnowmakingYes
Night skiingnone
WebsiteMt Bachelor.com

Since 2001, the ski area has been owned by Powdr Corporation of Park City, Utah.[2] It is the largest ski resort (by area) by more than 1,000 acres (4.0 km2) in Oregon,[3] the second largest single-mountain ski resort in the U.S., behind Vail, and the sixth largest of all ski resorts in the nation.

Mount Bachelor offers one of the nation's longest ski seasons, mid-November through the end of May (weather permitting).[4]

History

The Mount Bachelor Ski Area was founded by former 10th Mountain Division Elite Force ski trooper[5] Bill Healy (1925–1993) on December 19, 1958, with $75,000 (equivalent to $665 thousand today[6]) and a one-year lease from the U.S. Forest Service for the land.[7] The four other major stockholders were Felix Marcoulier (1917–2004), Dr. Bradford Pease (1912–2004), Oscar Murray (c. 1917–present), and Phil Gould. The founders raised $100,000 from local investors and made many important management decisions that would shape the path of Mount Bachelor and Central Oregon for decades to come.[2]

The ski area opened as Bachelor Butte in October 1958 with a rope tow and a 3,100-foot (940 m)-long platter lift rising 1,000 ft (305 m); a lift ticket was three dollars[2][8] (equivalent to $26.58 today[6]). The name of the volcano was changed to Mount Bachelor in 1983 after the Bend Chamber of Commerce persuaded state and federal officials to adopt the more descriptive term "mountain."[9][10] Well-known broadcaster and avid skier Lowell Thomas visited the young ski area in 1961, flying over from Sun Valley with agribusiness magnate J. R. Simplot.[11]

The first chairlift was "black chair" in 1961, shortly followed by "red chair" in 1964. In 1967 and 1970 the yellow and blue chair lifts were added,[12] and in 1973 the green and orange chair lifts were added. The "Outback chair" was added in 1976, "Rainbow" in 1980, and "Sunrise" in 1982. The first area of the mountain developed for skiing was the northeastern side.[13] The northwestern side was not lift-served in 1973, but those who ventured for the "Outback Trail Tour" paid a dollar in advance and got a return ride by a snowcat to the lodge.[14] A new trail was finished in 1975,[15] and the Outback double chairlift was installed at a cost of $700,000.[16][17] It was replaced by the $3 million high-speed quad (Outback Express) in the summer of 1987;[18] with a capacity of 2,800 passengers per hour.[19] The 8,377-foot (2,553 m)-long Northwest Express chairlift was added in 1996, a high-speed quad with 2,365-foot (721 m) vertical.[20] This lift further expanded the terrain to the west and increased the resort's overall vertical, lowering the minimum lift-served elevation to 5,700 feet (1,740 m). In 1976, Mount Bachelor had a severe drought and was only open January 2 through February 14, and February 26 through April 30. There was a loss of an estimated $4 million which took four years to recover. Following the drought, the Nordic initiative began and the main lodge expanded.[5]

Plans for the first summit chairlift were announced in autumn 1979;[21] the high-speed detachable triple was installed in the summer of 1983.[22] At the time, it was just the second detachable chairlift installed in the world. It was upgraded to a quad in 1997.[20] Original plans for a summit lodge and an accompanying service road[23][24] were abandoned in 1982 to attain approval from the U.S. Forest Service.[25]

Due to its challenging terrain parks and excellent snow conditions, Mount Bachelor is the official home training resort of many professional and Winter Olympic athletes, and hosts several professional USSA competitions each year.

Terrain

The mountain is famous for its dry snow (for the Pacific Northwest), with typical snowfall of over 462 inches (1,170 cm) per year and a mid-winter base over 150 inches (380 cm). The resort boasts a lift-served vertical drop of 3,365 feet (1,026 m) with a lift running to 9,000 feet (2,743 m), just 65 feet (20 m) below the volcano's summit, which is accessible via a short hike. As one of the tallest mountains in the vicinity, Mount Bachelor often experiences high wind speeds causing the chairlift to the summit to be put on standby.

Trails and lifts
Ski area in the winter
Chairlift in the summer

Total lift accessible area is 4,318 acres (17.5 km2)[26][27] with approximately 1,600 acres (6.5 km2) groomed daily. The longest run is just over 1.5 miles (2.4 km). There are 11 chairlifts: Alpenglow, Early Riser, Northwest Express, Outback Express, Pine Marten Express, Rainbow Chair, Red Chair, Skyliner Express, Summit Express, Sunrise Express, Little Pine, and Cloudchaser. Northwest Express, Outback Express, Pine Marten Express, Skyliner Express, Summit Express, Sunrise Express, and Sunshine Accelerator [28] are express quads.

Following the Summit triple in 1983, the Pine Marten was the first express quad, installed in the summer of 1986.[18][19] The accompanying lodge at the top of Pine Marten was built two years later.[29] The Pine Marten Express was the world's first height-adjustable detachable quad. It was overhauled in 2006 for $3.5 million, with new terminals, cable, and all new moving parts.[20] The Outback Express was installed in 1987 and the Skyliner Express in 1989.[30]

Mount Bachelor has outlined in its master plan that it intends to replace its Sunrise Express to a high-speed six-pack, along with replacing its Rainbow triple chairlift with a high-speed quad. In addition, the ski area plans to expand its downhill mountain bike terrain and install a zip-line.

In the early 1990s, Mount Bachelor had intentions of installing an 8 passenger high speed gondola which would run from the Sunriver access road to the base area of the Sunrise lodge. However, while marketed in ski magazines, this gondola was never built.

In recent years, Mount Bachelor has made sweeping efforts to attract freestyle skiers and snowboarders. A 400-foot (122 m) super pipe is among the best on the continent, and hosted the 2006 USSA Olympic Qualifier. The resort's Bachelor Parks terrain park encompasses 3 parks, is nearly a mile (1.5 km) long, descending 850 vertical feet (260 m) and featuring a number of jumps, rails, boxes, and jibs for freestyle riders. Other parks include "Slopestyle Arena", and "Sunshine Park" for beginners.

In 2003, Transworld Snowboarding magazine (editors & readers) ranked Bachelor as the fourth best snowboarding resort in North America.

Mount Bachelor also has a cross country skiing area with 12 groomed trails covering 35 miles (56 km) and 850 feet (260 m) of vertical.

Activities

Skiing/ Snowboarding

Mount Bachelor offers lift accessed skiing and snowboarding seven days a week from mid-November to the end of May. Hours are generally 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. On nice weather days Mount Bachelor offers skiing 360 degrees off the summit of the mountain. Bachelor holds some of the driest snow relative to the Cascades. The mountain's wide variety of elevation and aspect allows skiers and snowboarders to find good snow nearly every day of the season. Many avid skiers and snowboarders can access a bulge on the north side of the mountain referred to as 'the cone' by hiking before, during and after the resorts typical hours of operation.


Nordic skiing

Mount Bachelor has the longest groomed Nordic season in North America, running from mid-November through late-May. Snow conditions may extend into June.[31]


Mountain bike park

Starting in the summer of 2013, Mount bachelor was granted a special use permit from the Forest Service allowing chairlift for downhill mountain bike laps. Mountain bike trail continue to be developed, varying from a family-friendly single track trail to "bad to the bone" downhill bike park.

Other features at Mount Bachelor include snowshoeing, dog sledding, interpretive tours and snow-tubing. Seven restaurants, three bars, and three coffeehouses on the premises are distributed in four day lodges. Additional accommodations and lodging are nearby at Sunriver and in the city of Bend.

U.S. Ski Team

Resort statistics

Skier visits

Number of guests per day.[32]

SeasonPeak DayAverage
Top 10 Days		Average
Top 20 Days		Average
Entire
Season		Operating
Days		Total Seasonal
Skier Visits
2005-200612,2078,3647,4622,747194532,997
2006-200711,4318,3406,9362,557185472,969
2007-200810,0987,0206,1872,447179437,954
2008-20099,4306,6945,8812,530157397,211
2009-20108,0746,6425,9832,428180436,995

Elevation
  • Summit: 9,065 ft (2,763 m)
  • Base: 6,350 ft (1,935 m)
  • Lift-served
    • Maximum: 8,975 ft (2,736 m) - top of Summit Express[33]
    • Minimum: 5,700 ft (1,737 m) - base of Northwest Express
    • Vertical drop: 3,300 ft (1,006 m)

Trails
  • Skiable area: 4,318 acres (17.47 km2) accessible by lift, with 1,600 acres (6.5 km2) groomed daily
  • Trails: 88 total 15% Novice 25% Intermediate 35% Advanced 25% Expert
  • Longest run: 1.5 miles (2.4 km)
  • Average annual snowfall: 462 inches (1,173 cm)
  • Terrain Parks: 5 (Bachelor Parks P1-5, Slopestyle, and Sunshine)

Lifts
  • 14 Total
    • 8 Express Quads
      • Pine Marten Express - (2006, 1986) [20]
      • Outback Express - (1987) [19]
      • Sunrise Express - (1993) [20]
      • Skyliner Express - (1989) [30]
      • Summit Express - (1997, 1983 (express triple)) [20]
      • Little Pine Express (formerly Sunshine Accelerator) - (1993) [34]
      • Northwest Express - (1996) [20]
      • Cloudchaser Express - (2016) [20] - Opened 12/16/2016
    • 1 quad chairlift
      • Early Riser
    • 3 triple chairlifts
      • Alpenglow (formerly Carrousel)
      • Rainbow
      • Red Chair
    • 3 magic carpets
      • Chipmunk
      • First Rays
      • Lava Tube
    • 2 tubing tows

Lift specifications
CloudchaserRainbow
Chair		Sunrise
Express		CarrouselSummit
Express		Skyliner
Express		Sunshine
Accelerator
Lift Number1234567
Lift TypeD4C3CD4C3CD4CD4CD4C
Year Installed2016198019931993199719891993
Top Elevation ft.--7,6057,2706,6068,9507,6316,628
Bottom Elevation ft.--6,3906,4706,4407,2406,3256,385
Total Vertical ft.14481,2158001661,7101,306243
Horizontal Distance ft.65763,7003,6431,1754,4605,7221,871
Slope Distance ft.--5,5153,7321,1944,7835,8781,888
Average Slope %--23%22%14%38%23%13%
Hourly Capacity24001,8001,8001,3502,4002,4002,200
Rope Speed (fpm)10005008863001,024985886
Trip Time min.--11.034.213.984.675.972.13
Drive Output (hp)UnknownUnknown24460800520128
Pine Marten
Express		Red ChairOutback
Super Express		Northwest
Express		TOTAL
Lift Number891011
Lift TypeD4C3CD4CD4C
Year Installed2007 (1986)1980 (1964)19871996
Top Elevation ft.7,7327,4957,7558,065
Bottom Elevation ft.6,3656,3375,9755,712
Total Vertical ft.1,3671,1581,7802,25312,124
Horizontal Distance ft.4,5623,8506,7388,040
Slope Distance ft.4,7794,0206,9918,37747,428
Average Slope %30%30%26%29%27%
Hourly Capacity2,4001,5002,4002,40023,050
Rope Speed (fpm)9854759851,000
Trip Time min.4.858.467.108.38
Drive Output (hp)488Unknown6469313,817

Source: Mount Bachelor Master Development Plan: 2010[32]

References
  1. "Mount Bachelor Trail Map". Mount Bachelor Ski Resort. Mount Bachelor. Retrieved 2015-03-06.
  2. BendBulletin.com - Mount Bachelor at 50 - 2008-11-30 - accessed 2012-03-24
  3. "www.go-oregon.net/Skiing/". Archived from the original on 2010-03-29. Retrieved 2009-01-29.
  4. Mountain Stats from mtbachelor.com Archived 2013-01-03 at the Wayback Machine
  5. "History". www.mtbachelor.com. Retrieved 2015-12-01.
  6. Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  7. "Bill Healy; Built Mount Bachelor Ski Resort". Seattle Times. Associated Press. October 29, 1993. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  8. Cornacchia, Pete (November 27, 1958). "New Bachelor ski area set for seven month operation". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). p. 4D.
  9. "Bachelor Butte name change months away". The Bulletin. (Bend, Oregon). August 9, 1983. p. B1.
  10. Swee, Stephanie (May 25, 1987). "'Media' pioneer helped put Bachelor on map". The Bulletin. (Bend, Oregon). Horizons Monthly. p. 7.
  11. Mahoney, Michael (March 22, 1961). "Lowell Thomas, Gov. Hatfield among celebrities at Bachelor". Bend Bulletin. (Oregon). p. 1.
  12. Brogan, Phil F. (August 19, 1967). "Summer finds crews at work on new lift at ski area". The Bulletin. (Bend, Oregon). p. 6.
  13. "The History of Mount Bachelor, Oregon". SnowBrains.com. Retrieved 2015-11-30.
  14. McCord, Mike (March 12, 1973). "Skiing Bachelor's 'outback' is a ball". The Bulletin. (Bend, Oregon). p. 7.
  15. "Ski season begins Saturday". The Bulletin. (Bend, Oregon). October 28, 1975. p. 1.
  16. Smith, Jeffrey (June 28, 1976). "Bachelor to get lift, bigger lodge". The Bulletin. (Bend, Oregon). p. 2.
  17. "Oregon ski area may move into the big leagues". Ellensburg Daily Record. (Washington). UPI. June 29, 1976. p. 5.
  18. Monson, Stephanie (March 18, 1987). "Mount Bachelor expansion set". The Bulletin. (Bend, Oregon). p. A-1.
  19. Fears, Shannon (November 15, 1987). "Mount Bachelor adding another ski lift". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). p. 2C.
  20. Sowa, Anna (July 31, 2006). "Ski lift mechanics a hardy crew". The Bulletin. (Bend, Oregon). Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  21. "Mt. Bachelor plans expansion". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. November 2, 1979. p. 7B.
  22. Tri-City Herald - New summit chair makes Mount Bachelor skiing even better - 1983-10-07 - p.C1
  23. Francis, Mike (February 5, 1982). "Bachelor wins road to summit". The Bulletin. (Bend, Oregon). p. A1.
  24. Francis, Mike (March 31, 1982). "Mount Bachelor road okay appealed". The Bulletin. (Bend, Oregon). p. A1.
  25. Francis, Mike (September 2, 1982). "Bachelor abandons road plan". The Bulletin. (Bend, Oregon). p. A1.
  26. trail map ew Archived 2005-10-30 at the Wayback Machine
  27. trail map nw Archived 2005-10-30 at the Wayback Machine
  28. "Mountain Stats". www.mtbachelor.com. Retrieved 2015-11-30.
  29. Prese, Tim (November 20, 1988). "Bachelor more than sports center". The Bulletin. (Bend, Oregon). Winter Recreation. p. 3.
  30. (Bend) Bulletin - Catch your breath - 1989-12-21 p.E1
  31. "Nordic Trail Map". www.mtbachelor.com. Retrieved 2016-11-17.
  32. http://www.mtbachelor.com/site/about_us/company_info/forest_service/MDP_Text.pdf%5B%5D
  33. Mount Bachelor trail map shows the base of Summit Express at 7,250 feet (2,210 m) and its rise at 1,725 feet (526 m)
  34. (Bend) Bulletin - Bachelor's high-tech lifts move more skiers faster -1993-12-03 - p.5, winter-rec
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.