Associated Press
MOUNT BACHELOR, Ore. — Deep powder is standard issue at Mount Bachelor, a West coast favorite that averages 400 inches of snow per season, just 20 miles from the outdoors haven of Bend, Oregon.
Framed by towering ponderosas and crackling pines, Bend is home to world-class cyclists, triathletes, kayakers and rock climbers.
The local population has quadrupled in the past 20 years, but the town’s core of 70,000 are friendly and eager to get outside and play.
Named one of the five best little ski towns in America by Travel + Leisure magazine’s December issue, and one of Outside magazine’s best towns last year, Bend is surrounded by 2 million acres of national forest, roaring rivers and of course, the Cascade Mountains.
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A logging town that hasn’t forgotten its roots, the earthy, laid-back community has Craftsman-style architecture, a buzzing downtown and an exceptional culinary scene.
On the slopes, there are 10 lifts, several terrain parks, more than 31 miles of Nordic trails, and a tubing hill.
At a little over 9,000 feet, this is a mountain known for exceptionally long seasons that stretch into May. It’s also a dormant volcano that regularly breathes steam through tiny cracks. The vents are so small, you ski right over them, but the heat melts snow around the crevices, which can be seen if you happen to look.
Lift tickets are $58 ($69 on Saturdays and on holidays) .
