Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort, located about 21 miles from downtown Bend Oregon, is the largest ski resort in Oregon.
Bountiful snowfall, expansive terrain, diverse slopes, reliable conditions, and proximity to amenities lead many to consider Mt. Bachelor to be Oregon’s premier ski destination.
We’ve been skiing at Mt. Bachelor for many years and we are excited to help you plan your visit, save some money, and make the most of your valuable time.
In this comprehensive guide to skiing at Mt. Bachelor, we’ve gathered our local knowledge of the slopes (prepare for a deep dive), planning logistics, equipment rentals, accommodation, and dining options.
We’ll also provide other key insider tips (that you won’t find online) like how to avoid traffic, save money on ski rentals, and score the best powder on the mountain.
Pack your bags and get ready to experience why half a million people ski at Mt. Bachelor each year.
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Overview of Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort
Mount Bachelor Ski Resort is a premier ski resort located in the Cascade Mountain Range of central Oregon.
We’ve skied all over Oregon and we think Mt. Bachelor is overall the best Oregon ski destination.
Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort Statistics
It’s hard to argue with the facts! The terrain at Mt. Bachelor truly has so much to offer.
- 22 miles west of Bend (30-minute drive without traffic)
- Base elevation of 6,000 feet and summit elevation of 9,000 feet
- Total skiable area of 4,300 acres (101 runs and 11 lifts)
- Lots of fresh snow: average of 450 inches of snow per year
- Largest ski resort in Oregon (6th largest in North America)
- Diverse terrain: 15% beginner, 25% intermediate, 35% advanced, and 25% expert
- Snowshoeing, sled dog rides, and cross-country/Nordic trails
- Long season (early December to late May)
- Best snow conditions are February and March
As you can see, the diverse terrain and ample snowfall make Mt. Bachelor the best ski resort in Oregon for getting your powder fix.
In addition, the close proximity to Bend offers relatively short drive times to the slopes.
Visitors and locals alike also enjoy convenient access to amenities like excellent restaurants, a verity of accommodation, equipment rentals, a lively après-ski scene, and other fun things to do in Bend Oregon.
Not into downhill skiing? There are snowshoe trails (and free tours), Nordic trails, and even sled dog rides. These alternative options are great for groups with folks who don’t ski.
Now that you’re convinced to plan a ski trip to Mt. Bachelor let’s dive into the details on how to make the most of your visit.
Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding at Mt. Bachelor
Let’s start with exploring the mountain itself. That way, you can get your bearings with the terrain, so you’re prepared when you arrive.
Mount Bachelor Ski Trail Map
The trail map below shows the expansive terrain at Mt. Bachelor. For a clearer view of the map, go to this page, scroll down and click “view map larger”.
Ski Terrain, Lifts, and Runs at Mt. Bachelor
The mountain offers a balanced mix of beginner, intermediate, and advanced terrain, suitable for all skill levels.
Beginner Terrain
In general, easier terrain is close to the parking lots/lodges and is accessible via Early Riser (easiest), Sunrise, Skyliner, and Little Pine lifts.
For the absolute beginner learning hill, check out the Early Rise lift near the Sunrise lot.
Our favorite “real” beginner runs are Marshmellow and Carnival off of Sunrise lift. This is where we took snowboarding lessons.
Another option is Home Run and Milky Way on the Little Pine lift. This is good if you parked at West Village and don’t feel like traversing or taking a shuttle to the east side.
Intermediate Terrain
Intermediate runs are accessible via the Cloudchaser lift on the east side, Skyliner, Pine Martin lift, Summit lift (when it is open), and Outback lift.
The runs accessible via Cloudchaser, Skyliner, and Pine Martin are all great intermediate areas.
We love the Cloudchaser area for mellow blues with a good chance of untouched powder.
Most advanced skiers tend to gravitate towards other areas, but Cloudchaser is always a blast for us even if it can be a bit flat (especially towards the bottom).
Local tip: Don’t stray too far to the skier’s right on Cloudchaser runs. You might end up walking the flat section on the bottom.
If you’re a bit more confident, we highly recommend checking out the runs at the Outback lift. Ed’s Garden and Kangaroo are two great options that are all blue.
When Summit is open (and the snow is decent) we highly recommend exploring Beverly Hills and similar runs under the lift.
Local tip: Summit is often windy, icy, and downright miserable. But on a nice day it’s heaven. If it’s open, ask other skiers and staff about the conditions before committing.
The views from the top are just incredible on a sunny day.
Advanced Terrain
Advanced terrain is plentiful on the west side via Outback and Northwest lifts, as well as via Summit lift which provides access to the entirety of the backside of the mountain.
We cannot recommend Outback and Northwest lifts enough for advanced terrain, with Northwest being a bit steeper.
From the top of Northwest, stay west (skier’s left) for some potentially incredible tree runs (especially after a big storm).
Local tip: Most people go west off of Northwest. We find that Snapshot and Devil’s Backbone are often overlooked and offer a good chance of untouched powder after a good snow.
The westside of the Summit lift and the backside of the mountain offer the most advanced terrain.
Most advanced folks enjoy the Backside Bowls and West Bowls leading to the West Catchline. A popular route is Summit to Backside Bowls to Northwest to Summit again.
Local tip: The East Catchline has an unappealing flat section which many people find not worth it even if the powder on Cow’s Face and the East Bowls is legendary.
Overall, we love that the terrain is fairly segregated, with easy, intermediate, and advanced terrain relatively isolated from each other.
Parking and Lodges at Mt. Bachelor
There are three main parking and lodge areas: Sunrise (east side), Skyliner (central), and West Village (right side).
Both Sunrise and West Village have lodges, but Sunrise does not.
Sunrise and Skyliner lots tend to fill up relatively quickly on weekends. West Village only fills up on the most crowded of days.
Local tip: If you don’t get up there early on weekends, Sunrise and Skyliner will be full (but you can usually catch someone leaving if you’re willing to drive around a bit).
If it’s your first time, we recommend heading over to West Village. There is almost always parking and it has the most amenities and facilities.
| Lodge | Location | Amenities | Other Notes |
| Sunrise Lodge | East side | Restaurant, Cafe, Bar, Lessons, Rentals | Typically the shortest walk from lodge to car |
| West Village Lodge | West side | Restaurant, Cafe, Bar, Lessons, Rentals | Largest lodge |
| Pine Martin Lodge | Mid-Mountain | Restaurant, Cafe | Great lunch spot with superb views |
Lesson Programs
Mt. Bachelor offers several lesson programs for those wanting to get into skiing or snowboarding.
| Lesson Type | Overview |
| Private | Full or half-day session. Up to 5 group members. |
| Group | Small groups of similar abilities. |
| Multi-week | Ages 4-17. 3-, 4-, and 8-week programs. |
| Ski and Board in 4 | Award winning program. 4 lessons in a group format. |
Lessons include equipment rentals and lift tickets for the duration of the lesson.
Local tip: If you live in central Oregon (or are willing to drive a bit further), we highly recommend doing the “Ski and Board in 4” program.
We did this is 2022-2023 and it was a blast. We learned a ton about snowboarding.
This program is almost certainly the absolute best value for new riders anywhere on the west coast (and perhaps North America).
You get so many awesome benefits: 4 lessons, a season pass, and discounts on season passes the next two years all for $550. It’s a no brainer!
The only catch is you’re supposed to be complete beginner with no skiing or snowboarding experience.
Planning a Ski Trip to Mount Bachelor
Whether it’s for a single day, a weekend, a week, or longer, planning a ski trip can feel overwhelming. At least it feels like that for us!
When planning a Mt. Bachelor ski trip, we recommend planning in the following order:
- Choose your dates and purchase lift tickets
- Consider the different times of year (snow conditions, crowds, road conditions)
- Save money by booking ahead online. Avoid booking in person the day of.
- Choose accommodation
- Camp in your vehicle in the parking lot, stay in a resort, hotel, or choose a vacation home rental?
- Rent equipment
- Consider renting in Bend to save money
- Prepare for before and after the slopes
- Review the best cafes, restaurants, and bars
Let’s cover each of these steps in detail so you can get your trip set up with ease!
1. Choose your trip dates
The ski season at Mt. Bachelor runs from early December through late May. The time of year influences the conditions, crowds, and lift ticket prices.
| Time of Year | Conditions | Crowds | Lift Ticket Prices |
| Early to mid-December | Poor to Decent | Low | Lower Advance purchase discounts |
| Holidays & Winter Break | Decent to Good | High | Higher |
| January | Good to Great | Moderate | Moderate |
| Feb to Mid-March | Good to Great (usually best) | Moderate to High | Moderate |
| Spring Break (End of March) | Decent to Great | Low to Moderate | Moderate Late season discounts |
| April to May | Spring skiing (variable) | Low | Lower Late season discounts |
Terrain Conditions
Early season conditions usually exist throughout December and sometimes into mid-January.
By mid to late January there is usually a solid base. Then, heavy storms in February and March provide the best chance for those epic powder days.
April and May can provide superb spring skiing in between storms before warmer weather signals melting snow and the season winds down.
Crowds
As with most ski resorts in North America, holidays and time of week influence the crowds.
Late December and New Years are peak ski trip times for many (locals and visitors alike) who take advantage of the time off of work.
Local tip: Contrary to more well-known ski destinations in North America (e.g., Colorado), Spring Break is usually less crowded than you might expect.
We think it’s because many locals are going to warmer places after a long and cold central Oregon winter.
Combined with potentially epic conditions and moderate prices (look for late season discounts), Spring Break can be a great time to ski at Mt. Bachelor.
Of course, weekdays are always less crowded, but we’ve found there can be a surprising amount of people on the slopes during weekdays when the snow is good.
This is due to the large amount of flexible report workers in Bend and workers in the service industry who work afternoons and evenings.
Lift Ticket Prices
There’s too much information to cover everything here. We recommend you dig into more detail on the Mt. Bachelor webpage.
That said, consider the following dimensions/discounts when choosing your lift tickets.
- Multi-day discounts
- Advance purchase discounts
- Weekday vs weekend
- X of y days (for example, ski any 4 out of 5 days)
- Full day vs late arrival (noon to 4 pm)
- Kids ski free tickets
- Ikon pass (variable number of days)
- Blackout dates
If this feels overwhelming, we understand! Unfortunately, skiing is expensive, and it takes more work now to get what feels like a fair price.
In general, try to buy in advance online. Whatever you do, do not buy in person at the ticket counter!
Local tip: Even if you arrive the day of without at ticket, please pull out your phone and buy them online! You’ll save something like 20%.
2. Where to Stay Near Mt. Bachelor
Unlike many mountain resorts, there is no slopeside lodging at Mt. Bachelor.
These are the options for Mt. Bachelor accommodation:
- Slopeside RV/vehicle camping (some electrical hookups)
- Resort/Hotel in or near Bend Oregon
- Home vacation rental
Slopeside Overnight RV Camping at Mount Bachelor
You can reserve an RV or van camping spot in advance and stay overnight at the West Village Parking Lot.
Needless to say, this can be a great way to hit the slopes early without losing sleep or skipping a commute potentially burdened with traffic (more tips to avoid traffic later).
Both powered and non-powered spots are available. All reservations must be made online in advance.
The price for these sites ranges from $50 to $90 per night for the 2025 season.
Local tip: This is the way to go if you already have a rig (preferably with heating). Availability can go quickly so be proactive.
Resorts and Hotels Near Mt. Bachelor
You can also stay at hotels or resorts in Bend or Sunriver. Lodging in La Pine and Redmond are also options but with a longer drive.
Here are some of the best hotels and resorts near Mt. Bachelor that we recommend.
| Hotel/Resort | Type | Distance from Mt. Bachelor | Great for | Drawbacks |
| Seventh Mountain Resort | Resort | 15 miles | Proximity to slopes. Pool, hot tub, sauna. Restaurant & bar. Ice skating rink. Families. | 10-minute drive to downtown Bend. |
| Oxford Hotel | Hotel | 21 miles | In downtown Bend. High-end. | More expensive. |
| Bunk + Brew | Hotel/Hostel | 22 miles | Food trucks and bar. Socializing. Affordable. | Potential for noise. |
| McMenamins Old St. Francis School | Hotel | 21 miles | Character. In downtown bend. Restaurant and bar. Unique hot tub. | |
| Sunriver Resort | Resort | 20 miles | Awesome indoor pool. Restaurant & bar. Families. | 25-minute drive to downtown Bend. |
There are tons more options. Learn more about the best places to stay in Bend and the best resorts near Bend.
Also, keep in mind that some resorts offer shuttle services to the slopes. This can be a nice plus if you don’t want to drive yourself.
Home Rentals (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.)
Another excellent option for where to stay near Mount Bachelor is short term home rentals through Airbnb or VRBO either in Bend or Sunriver.
This is ideal for larger groups or if you want your own place. Drawbacks include less amenities or activities that resorts.
3. Ski Rentals Near Mt. Bachelor
If you need to rent skis and other equipment, you generally have two options: rent at Mt. Bachelor or rent in Bend/Sunriver. Can you guess which one is cheaper?
Of course, renting at Mt. Bachelor is more expensive compared to in Bend, but it might be worth it for the convenience of not having to transport your skis.
For ski rentals in Bend, check out the following options:
- Powder House Ski & Snowboard: As one of the long-standing Bend local shops, Powder House is a go-to for ski rentals. They offer a wide selection of skis, snowboards, boots, and other equipment, as well as rental packages for all skill levels.
- Mountain Supply: Mountain Supply has been a fixture in Bend for over 40 years, and offer touring/Nordic skis and snowshoe gear, as well as technical services.
- Pine Mountain Sports: Pine Mountain Sports rents touring/Nordic skis and snowshoe gear.
4. Eating and Drinking Near Mt. Bachelor
An essential part of any good ski trip is enjoying a cold beer and some hearty food to refuel after a long day on the slopes.
Fortunately, Bend has some incredible craft breweries and restaurants.
Local tip: Some of our favorite breweries are Sunriver Brewing (their Bend pub), Bend Brewing Co., and Deschutes Brewery.
Also, there are plenty of tasty cafes, bakeries, and coffee shops to get you going in the morning.
Local tip: Our favorites are Nancy P’s, Backporch Coffee Roasters, and Sparrow Bakery.
Don’t overlook food truck lots in Bend. All of them have enclosed, heating seating and plenty of cold beverages on tap.
Local tip: The Lot goes above and beyond the others with heated seats! Talk about cozy.
Other Things to Know Before You Go
Here are some extra tips to help you make the most of your visit. We’ve made enough mistakes with conditions and traffic to help you avoid doing the same.
Weather, Snow Conditions, and Road Conditions
We recommend staying tuned into the conditions on the mountain. Here are some of our favorite resources:
- For up-to-date mountain conditions, check this Mt. Bachelor webpage (you’ll also see lift and trail status, live webcams, and more).
- For up-to-date road conditions, check the Oregon DOT’s Tripcheck site.
- Local tip: There are webcams that can also be used to get a sense the traffic.
- For a nice weather forecast, check out this NOAA forecast.
- For up-to-date conditions, consider joining the Mt. Bachelor Facebook Group. It’s quite active and sometimes very helpful (when people aren’t complaining about the resort management).
Navigating Traffic
Traffic is everyone’s favorite thing, right? The commute to Mt. Bachelor is better than other ski resorts (looking at you Portland to Mt. Hood).
I mean, it’s only a 30-minute drive from Bend, right? That is true, but only when road conditions are optimal and there is no traffic (both of which are rare during winter).
Traffic can increase drive times to over an hour, and we’ve experienced nearly two hours during the most crowded days.
Traffic is almost always present on weekends with good snow conditions. You generally have three options:
- Go early and/or leave early
- Leave Bend before 7:30 am, but keep in mind lifts start spinning at 9 am.
- Leave the resort before 3:30 pm. Lifts close between 3:30 and 4 pm.
- Deal with traffic
- Traffic is worst between 8 – 9 am and 3:30 – 4:30 pm.
- Go late and leave late
- Leave Bend around 10 – 11 am
- Leave the resort after 4:30 pm
What we do: Usually, we go late and either leave early or leave late. That said, we usually have a season pass, so we’re not trying to make the most of a single weekend.
If you only have one weekend, it’s best to go early and either leave early or stay late.
Local tip: If it’s a nice day, pack some beers and chairs and hang out in the parking lot while the 4pm traffic dies down.
Local tip: Another option is to take the Cascade East Transit Shuttle from Bend to the mountain. Get the app and reserve tickets in advance online. Shuttles run from
Events at Mt. Bachelor
Bachelor also has a variety of events year-round including concerts, mountain bike and ski races, holiday events, pond skimming, Winterfest, and more.
It can be fun to plan your trip around one of these festive events.
Cross-Country and Nordic Skiing at Mt. Bachelor
Mt. Bachelor has an expansive cross-country and Nordic skiing area, with 56 kilometers (35 miles) of groomed Nordic trails, which are open from mid-November to late May, depending on snow conditions.
The trails are suitable for all skill levels, but there is the most terrain for intermediate skiers. Specifically, 5% easier, 69% more difficult, and 26% most difficult.
The Nordic Center offers rentals, lessons, and a full-service retail shop. Also, there is a cafe where you can warm up with a hot beverage.
Nordic skiing at Mt. Bachelor offers scenic views of the surrounding Cascade Mountains and provides a peaceful yet engaging alternative to the hustle and bustle of the downhill slopes.
If you’re planning a trip to Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort for Nordic skiing, it’s recommended that you check the trail conditions and to make sure the trails are open.
Keep in mind there are many places to cross-country ski near Bend including snow-parks (that are free and closer to Bend).
Alpine Touring and Split-Boarding at Mt. Bachelor
There are three designated uphill travel routes at Mt. Bachelor. Each one is unique in elevation and terrain.
New in 2025 is the requirement of a free uphill travel pass.
Both alpine touring and split-boarding require specialized equipment and knowledge of backcountry safety and avalanche awareness.
Snowshoeing and Sled Dog Rides
Snowshoeing at Mt. Bachelor is a great option to skip the lift ticket cost but still get outside.
There are self-guided trails and free 90-minute snowshoe hike guided by U.S. Forest Service Volunteer Rangers (snowshoes are included).
Mt. Bachelor offers dog sledding rides, a unique and memorable winter experience that is great for families (also a great date idea).
Imagine the thrill of being pulled through the snow by a team of eager sled dogs!
Conclusion
We hope this article helps you plan an epic Mt. Bachelor ski trip!
It can be overwhelming planning a ski trip, especially with kids, a large group, or limited knowledge.
For other ski trip ideas in central Oregon, check out our full article about skiing in Bend Oregon. Spoiler: there are other resorts besides Mount Bachelor.
If you are visiting, we have lots of other articles about visiting central Oregon, including the best things to do in Bend during winter.
