Mt. Bachelor ski area

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You have new messages (last change).
Mt. Bachelor ski area
Mount Bachelor
Location: Mt. Bachelor, Oregon
Nearest city: Bend, Oregon 22 miles (35 km) east
Coordinates: 43°58′45.90″N, 121°41′18.63″W
Top elevation: 9065 ft (2763 m)
Base elevation: 5700 ft (1700 m)
Skiable area: 3683 acres (14.9 km²)
Runs: 71
Longest run: 1.5 mi (2 km)
Lift system: 10 chairlifts
5 surface lifts
Snow fall: 30.8 ft (9.4 m)
Web page: Mt. Bachelor

Mount Bachelor ski area is a ski resort located in central Oregon approximately 22 mi (35 km) west of Bend, Oregon, at the end of Oregon Highway 372. The resort lies directly over Mount Bachelor, a stratovolcano built atop a volcanic shield in the Cascade Range.

Mt. Bachelor is considered by many to be one of the premier resorts in the United States and has appeared on numerous lists of the top ten ski resorts in North America. However, the resort is predominantly suited to advanced skiers and riders with over 60% of the runs rated as single or double black diamond. One quarter of the runs are blue rated for the intermediate skill level and 15% of the runs are green rated and suited for beginners. Its challenging terrain attracts serious enthusiasts and professionals from all over the world is the official home training resort of many professional and Olympic athletes. Bachelor is host to several professional United States Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) competitions each year.

Originally opened as "Bachelor Butte" in November 1958 with a rope tow and a Poma lift, the name was changed to Mt. Bachelor in the 1980s.

Contents

[edit] Alpine terrain

The mountain is famous for its especially dry snow that falls at a copious average of 370 in (939.8 cm) per year with an average base between 150 in (381 cm) and 200 in (508 cm) inches. The resort boasts a large vertical drop of 3365 ft (1025.7 m) with a lift running to the mountain summit. Total lift accessible area is 3683 acres (14.9 km²) [1][2] with approximately 1600 acres (6 km²) groomed daily. The longest run is just over 1.5 mi (2 km). There are 15 lifts, seven of which are express quads.

In recent years Mt. Bachelor has made sweeping efforts to cater to snowboarders and dedicates 20% of its nightly grooming to its snowboard park and pipes. A 400 ft (120 m) super pipe is considered to be among the best in the country and hosted the 2006 USSA Olympic Qualifier. The resorts signature Air Chamber is a nearly mile (1.5 km) long snowboarding run descending 850 ft (260 m) featuring a number of booters and rails for freestyle riders. Other snowboard parks include Slopestyle Arena, home of the Chevy Truck US Snowboard Big Air Exhibition, and Sunshine Park for beginners. In 2003, Transworld Snowboarding magazine readers and editors ranked Mt. Bachelor the fourth best snowboarding resort in North America.

[edit] Nordic terrain

Mt. Bachelor also features a cross country skiing resort featuring 12 groomed trails covering 850 ft (260 m) vertically and 56 km (35 mi) total distance.

[edit] Other activities

Other resort features include snowshoeing, dog sledding, interpretive tours and tubing. Seven restaurants, 3 bars and three coffeehouses on the premises located in four lodges.

[edit] Criticism

Criticisms of Mt. Bachelor include its small number of beginner suited runs and a perceived elite atmosphere. The resort is relatively expensive compared to other resorts in the region though Timberline and Mt. Hood Meadows, located on Mt. Hood near Portland both cost slightly more.

[edit] External links


Oregon ski areas
Central Oregon Hoodoo | Mount Bachelor | Willamette Pass
Eastern Oregon Anthony Lakes | Ferguson Ridge | Spout Springs
Mount Hood Cooper Spur | Mt. Hood Meadows | Mount Hood Skibowl | Snow Bunny
Summit Ski Area | Timberline Lodge ski area
Southern Oregon

Mount Ashland | Warner Canyon

hj

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../m/t/2E/Mt._Bachelor_ski_area_a085.html"