There’s a wildness to Mt. Bachelor that feels different from anywhere else. Rising alone above the Cascade Range, this dormant volcano serves up 360 degrees of skiing with nothing but trees, snow, and sky in every direction. No condos crowd the base, no massive village steals the spotlight—just endless turns, free-spirited locals, and an adventurous vibe that defines the Pacific Northwest. Bachelor is the kind of mountain that rewards curiosity: drop into the backside for soft stashes, cruise the Summit lift for panoramic views, or chase spring corn runs that last into May.

Quick Stats

• Location: Bend, Oregon
• Elevation: 5,700 ft base / 9,065 ft summit
• Vertical Drop: 3,365 ft
• Skiable Terrain: 4,323 acres
• Annual Snowfall: ~462 inches
• Number of Runs: 101
• Lifts: 13 (including the Summit Express and Cloudchaser high-speeds)
• Vibe Check: Laid-back Oregon energy with big-mountain feel

The Vibe

Mt. Bachelor has soul. Locals load up vans at dawn, chase powder all day, then head into Bend for pints and pizza. It’s unpretentious but serious about snow, with an easy-going culture that makes every visitor feel like part of the crew. The terrain offers a little of everything—wide groomers, steep chutes, natural half-pipes carved by volcanic ridges, and endless tree skiing. When the Summit lift spins, the views stretch from the Three Sisters to Broken Top. When it doesn’t, the lower mountain still delivers lap after lap of fun. Bachelor feels freer than most resorts—less structure, more stoke.

Must-Ride Runs

🟢 Greens

• Home Run – long, forgiving trail off Skyliner Lift for warm-up laps
• Marshmallow – mellow pitch and great for beginners learning turns

🟦 Blues

• Thunderbird – playful, rolling run with natural transitions
• Leeway – perfect carving line under Cloudchaser Lift
• Ed’s Garden – classic Cascade groomer with sweeping views

♦ Blacks

• The Cirque – steep, technical terrain near the summit for advanced riders
• Cow’s Face – wide, fall-line pitch that skis perfectly after a storm
• West Ridge – fast and exposed with unbeatable panoramas

Après + Town Stays

Bachelor’s base scene is simple, but nearby Bend is where the après magic happens—a town built for skiers, bikers, and beer lovers.

• 10 Barrel Brewing Co. – Bend’s most famous après spot with craft IPAs and a firepit patio
• Deschutes Brewery Public House – flagship Bend brewpub serving hearty mountain fare
• Ariana Restaurant – farm-to-table fine dining in a cozy craftsman house
• Jackson’s Corner – local favorite for breakfast sandwiches and wood-fired pizza
• The Lot – open-air food-truck court with heated seats and live music
• LOGE Bend – laid-back hotel built for outdoor travelers, right on the Cascade Lakes Highway
• McMenamins Old St. Francis School – historic downtown hotel with hidden soaking pool and pub

Travel Tips

Fly into Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM)—about 25 minutes from Bend. From town, it’s a 22-mile drive up the Cascade Lakes Highway to the mountain; road conditions change fast, so AWD is a plus. There’s no slopeside lodging, which keeps crowds down. Buses run daily from Bend to Bachelor for $10 round-trip, making it easy to go car-free. The season often runs from late November through May, with spring skiing that feels like a festival.

Fun Facts

• Mt. Bachelor is an active but dormant volcano, offering 360-degree lift access.
• It’s one of the few U.S. resorts where you can ski every aspect of the mountain.
• The name “Bachelor” came from early settlers joking that the mountain “stood alone without a wife.”
• It’s a favorite training ground for Pacific Northwest freeriders and pro snowboarders.
• The season can stretch into June in good snow years.

Why It Made Our Top 50 List

Mt. Bachelor is the definition of freedom on snow. It’s massive yet welcoming, laid-back yet athletic, and home to some of the best powder and spring corn in the West. This is a resort for skiers who like their mountains unpolished and their beer cold. One day here and you’ll understand why Oregon locals guard it so closely.