Bachelor Ski Holidays 2024 2025 | Skiing Bachelor

Bachelor Ski Resort

Bachelor isn’t so called due to boozy ways and lack of grooming…. But because geographically it shuns the company of the Three Sisters, a group of volcanic mountains to the northwest. Bachelor, in fact, was also once a volcano, letting out the last of its lava about 10,000 years ago.

Situated among the fir trees of the Cascade range’s Deschutes National Forest, first sight of this mountain hits you right between the eyes. Lord of all it surveys, it’s one of the highest peaks in the Pacific Northwest at 9065ft and certainly the highest here – with 360s of a surrounding 2 million acres of protected woodlands. It has plenty of reason to stand proud, with uber fast and modern lifts, and the 6th largest ski area in the nation, all buried in 460 inches of light, fluffy powder a season.

Wilderness this wonderful is naturally well-protected, and the Bachelor base stations aren’t yet allowed to offer accommodation. But day lodges on and off the mountain keep skiers well fed and watered and hotels are stationed at the funky 2 towns about 20 minutes down the highway. Bend, “beer capital of the US”, is often voted one of the top places to live in the US, while Sunriver is a quieter base for families. Whichever you stay at, Bachelor takes care of the driving, with regular shuttles to and from these spots.

Stats & FAQ

Location: Oregon, USA

Established: 1958

Open: November - May

Downhill: 4318 acres / 101 runs

View our detailed Bachelor snow forecast or snow report and see all live webcams, piste maps, road and travel maps and lift pass prices. For a picture of historic snow conditions see the snow depths month by month with our Bachelor snow history.

Nearest Airport & Transfer Time:
Portland International Airport (PDX)	295km, 180 mins
Beginner Intermediate Advanced 27% 41% 31%
Top Altitude:	9065ft / 2763m
Bottom Altitude:	5700ft / 1737m
Resort Altitude:	6570ft . 2000m
Longest run:	4 miles
Slope Orientation:
Vertical Drop:	3365ft
Skiable Vertical:
Night Skiing:	Yes
Glacier:	No
Snow Report Top N/Acm Base N/Acm Forecast 19cm Web Cam
Downhill Runs:	4318 acres / 101 runs
Beginner slopes:	27%
Intermediate:	41%
Advanced slopes:	31%
Lift Pass Price:	$69 (single day adult pass)
Nearby resorts:

Skiing/BoardingSkiing in Bachelor

9 peaks, 3 mountain passes and 4381 skiable acres add up to 1 monster of a mountain. As the highest in the famed Cascades mountain range, Bachelor also holds some of the driest, fluffiest snow around. This is perfect for carving snaking turns or learning to ski or board.

First time skiers and boarders have tons of options on the east side of the mountain. In previous years, you haven’t had to pay for the Carrousel lift - great for a non-committal first taste of the slopes. Once you’re hooked, there are numerous other options from the Rainbow Chair or Sunrise Express. Join intermediates above the treeline by taking Pine Marten Express. Capture the epic Cascade Range views on camera then duck back down on green Summit Crossover.

With 41% of the terrain at their disposal, intermediates often don’t know which way to turn on day 1. Start strong and make your way to the Summit Express to be taken to the very top. Healy Heights and Wanoga Way here were furrowed into the rock face by lava many moons ago, making them twisting, rollercoaster runs (a bit like a half-pipe) and a lot of fun. Meanwhile, the options from the top of the Outback Express will make your head spin – making this a good area to rack up some laps.

The majority of Mt. Bachelor’s wide open volcano terrain is expert fare, with some of the most unique and playful skiing and snowboarding in the states. Cirque is ideal for a challenge - Seekers and West Ridge will appease those looking for fast and steep terrain. Skiers in search of backcountry will go gaga over Mt. Bachelor’s double black diamond backside - powdery perfection.

Bachelor has put its all into drawing freestyle skiers and boarders to the slopes. A 400ft (122m) super pipe is among the best on the continent, and played host to the 2006 USSA Olympic Qualifier. Of a total 5 parks, the Bachelor Park is nearly a mile (1.5km) long, descends 850 vertical feet and contains the a-z of freestyle features, and more often than not an Olympian. Other parks include "Sunshine Park" for beginners.

With 4 piste maps (1 for each mountain face), it can be difficult to know where to start. Look out for the red jackets of the Mt. Bachelor Ambassadors, who’ll show you the best bits free of charge. If they’re all spoken for, head to the concierge to book an orientation tour, all usually free.

Bachelor Apres Ski

All this untamed wilderness comes at a price, namely that Bachelor isn’t allowed to build accommodation at the base stations. Still, there’s as fine a selection of restaurants as anywhere, and a handful of bars for your après ski drinks - the adults-only Clearing Rock Bar does local beers from Bend and hot cocktails, while the Sun Bar serves a mean Bloody Mary (a menu of them, in fact) under a retractable “umbrella” roof. Both barred to the under 21s, families should head to restaurants like Scapolo’s for ridiculously good food and even better views (cameras essential).

Activities aren’t in short supply either. Take a turn on the Snowblast Tubing Park, an 800-foot descent that will have you yelling with glee or book a dogsledding trip with the Trail of Dreams to ride winding forest paths under pines heavy with snow. Don’t miss nature tours of the wonderful wilderness around Bachelor to learn something about this spectacular region.

The turn the evening takes next depends on where you you’re based. Bunker down at Bend for a livelier time. A microbrew beer destination town, it has 11 breweries and a “brewery passport” that you can fill out through the week. Or stay at Sunriver, a complete four-season resort in itself, for some interesting shops and restaurants, and a bleeding good spa – a favourite with the families.

Best time to go

Best time to ski Bachelor

Best time to visit & ski Bachelor

The mountain is famous for its dry powder with typical snowfall of over 450 inches (1140cm) a season and a mid-winter base over 100 inches (250cm). With a vertical of 3300ft (1006m) and a peak of 9000ft, Bachelor’s one of the tallest mountains for miles around. Naturally, this means the ski season is super long, usually starting around Thanksgiving Day (late November) and lasting well into the spring. Winds can sometimes cause issues for the highest lifts, but you’ll usually find more than enough to ski further down.

The fact that the mountain has a wide variety of elevation and aspects (lots of shady north facing slopes) lets skiers and boarders find good snow nearly every day of the season.

Peak Dates

Christmas in Mt Bachelor is an affair to remember, riding one horse open sleighs in Bend and plummeting down powdery bowls on Bachelor. You might even see Santa on the slopes alongside you…

Skiing in powder perfection up on Bachelor, tucking into NY’s menus and family fun in Sunriver and everything from a NY’s Bonfire to a burlesque show with bubbly in Bend, spend New Year in Mt Bachelor and your resolution will be to come back.

If you want to make sure all are having fun in February, Half Term in Mt Bachelor is worth the extra leg of the journey. It has runs for just about everyone and activities for all, while the National Forest is the ultimate place for a getaway.

Easter in Mt Bachelor isn’t just fun for the littlies. An annual Easter egg hunt is usually joined by the Deschutes Easter Keg hunt. He who finds the hidden keg wins gift vouchers for the brewery at Bend.

Bachelor Ski Holidays