Skiing, Dogsledding, and More at Mount Bachelor this Winter
With 3,365 feet of vertical and 4,323 acres of skiable area, Mount Bachelor is Central Oregon’s premier ski area, but it’s much more than just a ski area! Just 24 miles west of historic downtown Bend, Oregon, Mount Bachelor is easy to get to and has no shortage of thrills, adventure, and exploration for winter enthusiasts. Whether you’re hitting the slopes for skiing and snowboarding or you’re looking for a different kind of adventure, there’s something to get everyone outdoors this winter.
Dog Sledding Adventures
Experience a magical ride through the wooded trails of Mount Bachelor with an authentic dog sled team. This one-of-a-kind adventure, led by professional mushers, is offered from December through April each season (conditions permitting). Keep warm in the sled while you’re whisked along on this exciting ride through the snowy trails on a one-hour trip or spend the afternoon with the team on a marathon trip to Elk Lake.
Advanced reservations are required and trips usually sellout quickly, especially during holiday and peak moments in the season, so don’t forget to book early!
Snowshoeing & Ski Tours
Head off the beaten path with a U.S. Forest Service Naturalist on a free 90-minute interpretive tour of the flora, fauna, and geology of the Deschutes National Forest watershed. Tours are offered December thru March (conditions permitting) leaving at 10 AM and again at 1 PM from Mount Bachelor’s West Village Base area. Snow shoe rentals are available from the Mount Bachelor Nordic Center, where outdoor seekers can also purchase Snowshoe Trail passes to access 9 miles of single track snowshoe trails located alongside Mount Bachelor’s Nordic trail network.
Saturdays and Sundays at noon, skiers can join a free 60-minute tour of Mount Bachelor’s winter ecology on laps with a local forest expert. Tours are offered January through March.
Nordic Skiing
Mount Bachelor’s 34 miles of groomed Nordic trails are perfect for skate or classic cross-country skiers. Rent equipment and buy trail passes right from the Mount Bachelor Nordic Center, or book your passes and equipment in advance and hit the trails! With a wood burning stove and a café serving up warm drinks and bites, the cozy Nordic Center lodge is the perfect place to warm up before or after a day on the trails. Guest can also sign up for lessons to learn the ropes or perfect their technique in both classic and skate style Nordic skiing.
Downhill Skiing & Snowboarding
Mount Bachelor’s most popular activity is its famed downhill slopes. Popular for its dry Pacific coast snow, the mountain’s 4,323 acres of skiable area boasts 101 trails serviced by 12 chairlifts. An average annual snowfall of 462 inches means the conditions are always ideal for skiers from novice to pro.
Three slopeside lodges offer plenty of options for food, drink, and après ski. West Village Base Lodge is the center of the action with Clearing Rock Bar, Cocoa’s Café & Corner Bar, and the Subie Shack (a Subaru sponsored coffee spot perfect for warming up between runs!). Mid-mountain, the Sunrise Lodge features The Sun Bar: the best outdoor patio on the mountain. Ski-in and ski-out for beer, wine, and cocktails all season long at The Sun Bar, or stop by Sunrise Grill for Mount Bachelor’s famous Chili Cheese Fries. From the summit of Mount Bachelor, The Pine Marten Lodge boasts Scapolo’s Bistro and Sparks Café, where skiers warm up with great food and stunning panoramic views.