How to Ride Mt. Bachelor in the Spring
Home to some of the best spring skiing and riding in the country, Mt. Bachelor is a must-visit spring skiing destination. Open until Memorial Day weekend, our deep snowpack and expansive terrain allow for bluebird, corn-snow laps long after most have put their snow gear away for the summer. If you are visiting, here are some tips on how to get the most out of a spring day at Mt. Bachelor.
Check the Weather
Most spring days up here are sunny and beautiful, but there is always a chance of a late-season storm. Be sure to check the weather constantly before your trip and before coming up for the day to ensure you are prepared for the conditions. If it looks to be warm that day, 50° or above, and sunny, start early! Mt. Bachelor is famous for its corn snow, but if you wait too long, that corn snow can turn sticky. On the flip side, if it looks to be a bit cooler, it is best to start your day on our groomed trails as you wait a few hours and let the sun warm up the mountain before venturing off- pistè.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a great resource, as well as our own Mountain and Conditions Report that is posted daily.
Start on the East Side
As the old saying goes, the sun rises in the east, meaning that the east side of the mountain is going to warm up quicker in the morning. Start your day over on our east and southeast-facing slopes for the best chance to score some fresh corn snow in the morning. Cloudchaser Express is open until the end of April and serves some of the flowiest terrain on the mountain. With fun intermediate terrain and sunshine, Cloud is the spot to be on a spring morning.
Head up to the Summit
Mt. Bachelor is famous for 360° skiing and riding off the summit. After warming up on some flowy groomers at Cloudchaser or Sunrise, head on up to the 9,068-foot summit to take in the epic views and choose your line. A local's favorite is "Cows Face", a wide open bowl to the skier's right of the top of Cloudchaser Express. Great for spring as it sees early morning sun, softening the snow. After your carves down the face, simply hop on the Getback and you'll find yourself at the bottom of Sunrise, ready for another lap. If Sunrise is closed for the season, after April 20th, simply continue to the base of Skyliner Express to start the lap over again.
Another fun option is to hike up to the true summit. From there, you will have the option to drop into the frontside bowl, or turn around and hit the backside bowls. When Northwest Express is open (closing May 4, 2025), dropping off the backside to the West Catchline makes for an incredibly long and fun run. On the front side, the Cirque Bowl offers the steepest terrain on the mountain, especially when accessed by the Pinnacles or the Hourglass shoots.
Keep Going West
As the sun starts to work its way across the mountain, follow it. By mid to late morning on a warm bluebird day, the snow out east will start to turn sticky, making it hard to maintain speed. When this happens, simply follow the sun and continue to the west side of the mountain. On your way, take a lap off Skyliner and go through one of the many Woodward Mountain Parks, then traverse over to Pine Marten. At Pine, you'll find more blue square groomers and can stop for lunch at the West Village Lodge. Once fueled up, hop back on Pine Marten and then send it over to Northwest Express. Northwest serves some awesome, steep, and fast groomer runs that are a whole lot of fun with corn snow. Lap until your legs are dead, then cruise back down to one of the base areas and enjoy an après beverage.
Après at Clearing Rock
After a day of corn snow, kick back at Rock Bar and enjoy some post-ski food and drinks. Both bars feature an outdoor deck with great views of the mountain. Take your boots off, put your sunglasses on, and enjoy the afternoon!
| WINTER 2024/25 | DAYS OF OPERATION | HOURS |
| Nov 29, 2024 - April 20, 2025 | Daily | 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (last call 4:45 p.m.) |
| April 21 - May 26, 2025 | Daily | 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. (last call 1:15 p.m.) |
More Spring Tips
Keep in mind, that our operations shift in spring as the days get sunnier. Starting April 21, lifts will spin 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., weather and conditions permitting. Check out the spring operating schedule or check the Mt. Bachelor mobile app to see what will be running that day. The Mt. Bachelor app can also help you get a lay of the land as you ski from east to west. Track your day to see exactly where you (and your friends) are on the mountain. Click a trail or chairlift from the lift status to see exactly where it is on the map. Forget sunscreen, chapstick, or need some new shades? Stop into Mt. Bachelor Sports Pro Shop for everything you need. Spring is a great time to snag deals on brand-new gear and apparel!