Since Mt. Bachelor sits in the gorgeous Deschutes National Forest of the Cascade Range and is just 20 miles from the lively, little city of Bend, you’re guaranteed a laundry list of outdoor activities, art galleries, beer tours, shopping, dining and other off-mountain things to do in Mt. Bachelor.
Bend, Oregon is renowned as a microbrew beer destination, and unofficially referred to as “Beer Town USA” so get ready to have a couple. The Bend Ale Trail will take beer enthusiasts on a tour of Bend’s 11 breweries, including internationally known and loved Deschutes Brewery. Participants can nab a brewery passport from one of the breweries or the Bend Visitor Center and collect stamps along the trail.
Before you head to Bend or Sunriver after a day on Mt. Bachelor’s slopes take a couple laps on the Snowblast Tubing Park—between Mountain Gateway and Red Lift. You’ll squeal with join down the park’s 800-foot tubing lanes. If you’ve been dying to experience an exhilarating dog sled ride, then Mt. Bachelor is the place to do it. Oregon Trail of Dreams provides an exceptional experience, as one of the owners is a professional Iditarod musher. Oregon Trail of Dreams immerses guests in the beauty of the Central Oregon winter, and provides incredible views of the famed Three Sisters mountains, Broken Top and Mt. Bachelor. If you’re looking for something a little more active a snowshoe adventure with Wanterlust Tours is a must. Naturalist guides provide visitors with an ecological tour of the Deschutes National Forest. Tours are matched to level of fitness and familiarity with the sport, so you’re guaranteed an optimal experience.
Getting to Mt. Bachelor is convenient, with the resort located just 22 miles west of Bend, Oregon. Visitors can fly into Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM), which is about a 30-minute drive from Bend. From Bend, guests can take the free Mt. Bachelor shuttle service, offering easy access to the resort without the hassle of parking. With the town of Bend and its many inns, hotels, boutiques, shops and restaurants a short 22 miles away, a Mt. Bachelor ski vacation meets a wide variety of lodging and budget preferences.
To get around Mt. Bachelor, visitors can utilize various transportation options provided by the resort. The Mt. Bachelor shuttle service offers convenient access from Bend, Oregon, to the resort, eliminating the need for parking. Additionally, ample parking is available at the resort's base areas with clear directions and policies to ensure a smooth experience for all guests.
As you drive up to the resort, you’ll notice how the volcano formed natural halfpipe-like gullies which extend from the summit and wind down into tree level. Designated trails have been cut to match the terrain’s natural flow. You won’t find anything like Mt. Bachelor’s playful trails. Blessed with an annual snowfall of 387 inches, a Mt. Bachelor powder day is unforgettable.
Beginner skiers and snowboarders, don’t less this dormant volcano fool you. You can ski and ride at this jutting monstrosity and enjoy its unique terrain and epic Cascade Range views just like intermediates and experts. In fact you can ski 15 percent of the resort, and ski on green runs well above treeline.
First time skiers will want to start from the Sunshine Lodge base area village, specifically on the Carrousel lift, since it’s free every Saturday and Sunday for beginners.
The Rainbow Chair or Sunrise Express chairlift is a great place for novice skiers or snowboarders to start their Mt. Bachelor ski vacation, as there are nearly entirely green runs in this area.
Once you feel ready you’ll want to take on the Mt. Bachelor beginner terrain out of the West Village area. From the top of Sunrise you can ski down West Village Getback to the Pine Marten Express. At the top of the lift take in the views and nab a picture, then head down Summit Crossover, which you can take back down to West Village or Sunrise, it’s your choice.
Between its varied terrain, the breathtaking high alpine mountain resort, close proximity to the town of Bend, Oregon, kid-friendly snowsports school and lift ticket deals, a Mt. Bachelor family ski vacation will please everyone from first-timers to seasoned families. The Sunshine parking lot also allows for parking within 300 yards to the resort, making it easier to schlep the whole family’s equipment. The beauty of a Mt. Bachelor family ski trip is that Bend restaurants are varied and quite affordable. Families can pick from steakhouses, contemporary American, classic American, Thai, Latin or restaurants serving up an eclectic mix of seasonal, local produce and meats.
Mt. Bachelor family lodging is mainly found in Bend, Oregon, which is a mere 20 minute drive from the resort. Everyone will love the spectacular drive through Deschutes National Forest to and from Mt. Bachelor and Bend. Having all the restaurant, activity and lodging options in Bend at their fingertips is also a major plus for those on a Mt. Bachelor family ski vacation.
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