Uphill Travel Policy
Uphill Access Restrictions
Uphill traffic is defined as skiers or snowboarders or snowshoers who are traveling up the slopes, using climbing skins or other methods instead of chairlifts. Be advised: The cone is considered unpatrolled and uncontrolled outside of our regular operating hours. Also to accommodate backcountry access off the Summit lift a backcountry access gate would be maintained near the bottom of Larry Valley on the south side to allow for skiers to use the Summit lift, and then exit the permit area to access Kwolh butte. These restriction will not apply during the off season when ski operations are not underway (ok to hike then) except for areas in snowmaking or grooming operations.
Mt Bachelor Uphill Traffic Policy
Within the Mt. Bachelor Special Use Permit area, uphill travel is permitted on designated routes under conditions that do not adversely impact avalanche reduction, grooming, snowmaking, parking, snow removal, maintenance or other ski area operations. Uphill travel is restricted within the Special Use Permit area during periods of avalanche danger or avalanche control operations. Uphill travel and downhill recreation by uphill travellers are restricted within the ski area boundary to designated uphill routes and open downhill trails and runs. Specific uphill routes may be closed at any given time due to safety concerns or hazardous conditions. These concerns/conditions include, but are not limited to; avalanche danger or control work, grooming, low visibility, construction, or maintenance operations. Uphill routes may be realigned, removed or added as circumstances warrant.
Map Of Allowed Uphill Traffic Area
Download a PDF of the Uphill Access Map
.jpg)
(Bend, Ore – Jan 15, 2010) – A revised uphill travel policy at Mt. Bachelor has recently been approved by the USFS. The new policy allows access for uphill travelers along a designated route to Mt. Bachelor’s summit, while expanding access to the popular Cinder Cone area farther to the west to Ed’s Garden run. The summit route will be open under conditions that do not adversely impact avalanche reduction, slope grooming, parking, snow removal, maintenance or other downhill ski area operations. Status of uphill travel routes will be communicated via www.mtbachelor.com and signage at the base of Red Chair, Sunrise Base Area, the top of Rainbow Chair, and top of Summit Express. The revised policy is slated to go into effect Tuesday, January 19. Uphill routes may be realigned, removed or added as circumstances warrant.
“Recently, Mt. Bachelor and other ski areas have seen an increase in uphill travelers within ski area boundaries. While uphill travel in the ‘frontcountry,’ within the ski area boundary may seem innocuous, it poses safety concerns for uphill and downhill recreationists, ski area operations and ski area staff when the area is open and after hours/pre-opening when the area is being maintained with heavy machinery, and at times, remotely delivered explosives. That’s why uphill travel is not permitted in any fashion at many ski areas. Mt. Bachelor’s new policy reflects our commitment to seek a balance between mitigating safety concerns of uphill travel as a recreational use within the downhill ski area/Special Use Permit area with the reasonable needs we have in operating a sustainable and successful alpine ski area, for which we have been granted a Special Use Permit from the Forest Service. In the spirit of cooperation, we committed to continue an open ended dialogue with the uphill community regarding backcountry and frontcountry access issues in the Mt. Bachelor region of Deschutes National Forest. I’ve received feedback that this updated policy is a positive, new starting point. I also agree that it is by no means the finish line,” said Dave Rathbun, Mt. Bachelor President and General Manager.
Designated Routes – effective January 19, 2010
• The Cinder Cone route. Originates at the bottom of Red chairlift and ascends the Leeway run to the saddle of the Cone. Travel is permitted 360 degrees around the Cone. Ascending from West Village, uphill travelers stay to the west side of the bamboo poles marked with lime green flagging running up Leeway. Ascending from the western base of the Cone, uphill travelers stay north of Ed’s Garden run, in the trees off the groomed run. Uphill travelers use caution at all times on the service trail that borders the north side of the Cone. The Cinder Cone area encompasses approximately 180 acres of terrain and offers 715 feet of vertical drop. The Cone area is open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week during the winter operating season with the exception of active grooming and avalanche control operations periods.
• The Summit route. The uphill route to the Mt. Bachelor summit is open during sustainably safe conditions, i.e. when the Summit chairlift is open to the public, following avalanche reduction work and grooming operations. The route originates at the bottom of Rainbow chairlift, follows Flying Dutchman run to the top of Rainbow lift, then follows the climbing road, crossing East Healy and Healy Heights runs, and then ascends the ridge to the southeast of Beverly Hills run, terminating at the top of the Summit chairlift. The route is marked by bamboo poles with lime green flagging. An uphill traveler information kiosk at the Sunrise base and signs at the top terminals of the Rainbow and Summit chairlifts designate protocol and route status. Uphill travelers descend from the Summit on designated open trails and runs.
•The Kwolh Butte backcountry gate. To accommodate backcountry access to Kwolh Butte from within the Mt. Bachelor ski area boundary, a backcountry access gate is maintained near the bottom of Larry Valley, on the south side of the catch line. Persons using this gate leave the maintained and patrolled ski area and exit the Mt. Bachelor Special Use Permit area. If returning to the Mt. Bachelor permit area/ski area, travelers re-enter through this same gate. Entering or exiting the ski area boundary outside the designated backcountry gate is prohibited.
Uphill Travel Protocol – winter season
1. Check uphill travel information and status online at www.mtbachelor.com, on the snow conditions page, before leaving for the mountain. Double check uphill travel status by reviewing base area and on-mountain signage before and during ascent.
2. Follow designated uphill routes. Bamboo with lime green flagging will be used to mark uphill travel corridors.
3. Yield and steer clear of downhill users and ski area machinery, i.e. grooming machines and snowmobiles, until moving entities are clear of your position.
4. Adhere to trail and boundary closures on the descent as well as Your Responsibility Code to avoid conflict with downhill users and ski area personnel.
5. Dogs on leash are permitted only in parking areas at Mt. Bachelor. Practice Canine Courtesy by cleaning up and removing dog waste. Dogs are not permitted within the ski area boundary, i.e. on ski runs or slopeside in base areas.
6. If you pack it in, please pack it out. Help keep Mt. Bachelor and Deschutes National Forest clean.
Outreach and Education
Mt. Bachelor is working closely with Deschutes National Forest and other organizations and individuals to build awareness and provide public education regarding uphill travel and recreation issues. Our goal is to find a reasonable balance between and among user groups who share a common interest in recreating within the Mt. Bachelor Special Use Permit area in a safe, non-confrontational and sustainable manner.
We like dogs. However, dogs are not allowed above our parking lots during our winter operations. Please keep your pets on a leash at all times in the parking lots. These policies are not unique to Mt. Bachelor. They are in line with the overall Deschutes National Forest winter policies.
Boundary Policy
Mt Bachelor manages its ski area boundary as a closed boundary. The boundary location is set by the Ski Patrol depending on snow conditions and lift operation schedules.
During the main season the boundary is established off the Summit top to direct skiers and riders to either Rainbow lift on the east, or Northwest lift on the west. These boundary lines are called the east and west catch lines.
The catch lines are marked with single orange and black bamboo poles with orange disc signs on them labeled ski area boundary.
The boundary's are not roped. It is your responsibility to know the boundary locations before going into these areas. There are boundary explanation signs posted at the top of the upper lifts. If you have any questions on the boundary location please ask a Ski Patroller.
