Mt. Bachelor Runs Are Among Best in the West

From the alpine slopes near the top of Mt. Bachelor, descending waves of snow tumble west toward the main range of the Cascades and south toward the silhouettes of the California peaks around Mt. Shasta.

Mt. Bachelor is laced with 54 ski runs, including one descent off a nearly vertical cornice that puts the ski expert into the air for up to a 10-foot drop.

There are adventures for skiers of every ability on these slopes, where U.S. ski teams and Olympic contenders have trained for two decades.

Cross-country ski trails rated among the best in the country reach into the 1.6 million acres of central Oregon’s Deschutes National Forest, an area larger than the state of Delaware, and climb up to glaciers rising more than 3,000 feet.

The summit of Mt. Bachelor soars to 9,065 feet. The Mt. Bachelor Ski and Summer Resort recently was rated by Snow Country magazine as best in the Pacific Northwest and third-best nationally, behind Vail, Colo., and Squaw Valley, Calif.

The skiing lasts into the summer months. The area also features white-water rafting on the Deschutes River, and, rising above nearby Crooked River, the soaring cliffs and spires of Smith Rock are becoming an increasingly popular challenge for rock climbers.

Downhill and cross-country skiing can be tailored to your own abilities. The slopes have a vertical drop of 3,100 feet. About 25% of the runs are challenging enough to be rated for expert skiers; 35% are for advanced intermediates, and 15% for beginners.

Despite uncertain snow conditions throughout the West, Mt. Bachelor was able to open for skiing the day after Thanksgiving.

Although there are no overnight lodgings, Mt. Bachelor often draws about 12,000 day-skiers on weekends. Lift lines are held to a minimum by 11 lifts that include three detachable quad chairlifts and five triples.

The banks of the upper Deschutes River are less than 25 minutes from Mt. Bachelor. In late spring and early summer, one can spend the morning on snow skis and the afternoon bouncing over white water on a raft, canoe or kayak.

Smith Rock, meanwhile, is now drawing climbers from as far away as Europe to test their skills on its awesome crags and spires. At least a score of such experts are among the 200 or so Smith Rock climbers on a busy weekend.

Another challenge is to spend a summer’s day biking the 22 miles from Bend through Sunriver and up the steep grade to Mt. Bachelor, then zigzag down trails back to Bend. Cycling the Crooked River with the spectacular vistas of Smith Rock can be another day of trekking on two wheels. Rental tandems as well as mountain bikes are available at local bicycle shops.

Lift tickets this winter are $26 for adults, $14 for juniors ages 7 to 12 and $13 for seniors, but all can be part of special skiing and lodging packages.

The Inn of the Seventh Mountain is the closest lodging to Mt. Bachelor; it’s about 14 miles from the ski lifts. Double accommodations start at $149 per person for three nights’ lodging, three days’ skiing and the shuttle to and from the slopes. A studio with kitchen and fireplace is $194 per person. Call toll-free (800) 452-6810.

Some 2,000 accommodations at varying rates are available around Bend, Redmond, Sunriver and nearby communities. The Sunriver Lodge has indoor and outdoor racquet sports, hot tubs, saunas, 28 tennis courts and two golf courses, with many package rates available. Call (800) 547-3922.

Bend, with its parks and downtown streets along the Deschutes River, has a full calendar of special events to flavor the many adventures of central Oregon, including the Pole, Pedal & Paddle skiing, biking and canoeing competition in May and the Cascade Festival of Music in June. Museums, galleries, theater and concerts provide cultural attractions throughout the year. Among notable restaurants Cyrano’s, Le Bistro and Mexicali Rose.

For more information on travel to Bend, contact the Bend Chamber of Commerce, 63085 N. Highway 97, Bend, Ore. 9770l, (503) 382-3221.

For an inaugural 100 days through March 31, Alaska Airlines is providing daily service from Los Angeles to the Redmond/Bend Airport, with complete packages beginning at $299. The price includes air fare, three days’ lodging and two days of skiing.

A copy of the “Central Oregon” year-round guide to this area is available from the Central Oregon Recreation Assn., P.O. Box 230, Bend, Ore. 97709, (800) 547-6858. The guide contains information on lodging, restaurants and river-rafting and cycling companies in central Oregon.

For an update on snow conditions and help in making reservations, contact the Mt. Bachelor Ski & Summer Resort, P.O. Box 1031, Bend, Ore. 97701, (800) 882-2222.