Mt Bachelor's 50th Anniversary Season
Over 50 years ago, Bill Healy and the Skyliner Ski Club explored then called Bachelor Butte with ideas of founding a ski resort. On December 19, 1958 they opened the doors with a toe-rope and Poma lift. Today, Mt Bachelor celebrates its 50th anniversary with a season-long look the resort's history and acknowledgements to the pioneers who founded it. Parties will kick off opening day and sprinkle the season including the Mt Bachelor birthday bash to celebrate the Mountain and the guests who have supported it throughout its history.
To prepare for the season, Mt Bachelor has undertaken an aggressive lift, vehicle and facility maintenance program while expanding numerous departments including lift maintenance, communications and mountain ambassadors. Capital purchases this season include 3 new Prinoth 350 low-emissions cats, a snow removal truck, new heated walkway at Sunrise Lodge, a newly constructed Park n Ride facility in-town, a new super shuttle bus and a new mobile snowmaking gun.
Along with undertaking an agressive lift, vehicle and facility summer maintenance program, Mt Bachelor expanded several departments. The resort launched a fresh campaign commemorating 50 years of service and launched a new website in early November. Additionally, the season pass prices were dramatically reduced especially in the youth to young adult segments, bringing affordable skiing back to families and students.
Mt Bachelor continues to offer terrain for all levels and likes, from wide groomers, to natural glades, manicured parks, wide open spaces and peak cornices. Also offered are sled dog rides, lift-accessible tubing and snowshoe tours lead by USFS rangers. The resort's annual snowfall averages 370 inches of low-density powder due to its high desert location and altitude. At just over 9,000 feet, you can see to Mt Shasta in California up to Mt Adams in Washington State.
Mt Bachelor is defined by its setting - a pristine mountain experience that is as pure as the day the volcano erupted 15,000 years ago. Riders now enjoy 360-degree access to terrain off the Summit and Northwest chairlifts, a five year back catchline program that was just completed August 2008. Now you can pick a backside fall line that no other soul will take that day. An additional 980 acres off the Summit opens up expert rolling bowls and an additional 358 acres of wild tree riding is accessible west of the Northwest shoulder. All backside terrain is for the advanced rider.
As we unveil Mt Bachelor's season specialties, we invite you to enjoy this historical short film.
Below are some of the events and specialties we are implementing this 50th anniversary season.
50th Anniversary Specialties
Red Chair Ale - a brand new seasonal IPA by Deschutes Brewery.
Carrousel Learning Lift is free all season long. Pick up tickets at Sunrise Lodge.
Bend Winterfest Sponsorship - Join Mt Bachelor for rail jams and other fun events during this in-town festival.
Charitable Giving - Mt Bachelor donated 7500 lift tickets to various local non-profit organizations for their fundraising efforts and continues to offer donations to our community.
Commemorative Gold 50th Anniversary Season Pass.
Season Pass holder benefits - special discounts and freebies for season pass holders such as the 5 at $50.
5 at $50-Season pass holders can pick up 5 unrestricted lift tickets at a preferred rate of $50.
Radio giveaways- now more than ever local radio stations will be giving away lift tickets and season passes all season long! Some old partner and many news ones make this possible.
50th Gold Chair - Look out for chair number gold chair number 50
Quad Chairs in Bend - Gold 50th anniversary quad chairs will be positioned around downtown Bend.
50th Anniversary Events
Dec 5th - Bend's First Friday Gallery Walk
Wells Fargo and Mt Bachelor team up to look at historical photographs a the bank's downtown location. Free Deschutes Brewery beer, food and videos accompany the art show.
Dec 19th - Mt Bachelor's Birthday
The Mountain opened its doors this day in 1958. Join the employees, guests and a few of the pioneers who are still around to celebrate this glorious day.
Monthly Parties - January, February, March and April
Rotating among the various lodges, a 50th anniversary party will be hosted each month in the season.
Season Blowout Tailgating Party - TBD Saturday before Pond Skimming
Mt Bachelor takes it to the parking lot. Details coming later.
