Too-warm storm prompts Mt. Bachelor pause
Mt. Bachelor said Tuesday it will alter its planned operating schedule this week due to an unexpected shift to warm and wet weather through Thanksgiving Day. It won’t open more lifts Wednesday and will close for the holiday, with hopes a colder storm late in the week gets things back on track.
Recent heavy rain and high humidity have taken a toll on the mountain’s snowpack, and soft and saturated snow conditions are preventing the resort from preparing most of its terrain for public opening. Additional rain and wind are expected late Wednesday through Thursday evening.
Consequently, Mt. Bachelor has announced the following operational changes:
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26
The resort will operate on a more-limited basis than planned, with the Sunshine Accelerator lift and terrain park scheduled to open. The Pine Marten and Skyliner lifts – originally scheduled to open – will remain closed. The Nordic Center will also be closed.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27
Due to rain and strong wind in the forecast, the entire resort and all services will be closed Thanksgiving Day.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28
Daily operations are scheduled to resume Friday, assuming improvement in the weather and snow conditions. The forecast calls for rain to change to snow by Friday morning with moderate accumulations through the weekend. The path and timing of the cool-down of this next storm will determine if and when additional terrain may be opened. Final details about Friday’s operations may not be announced until early Friday morning, following an assessment of the snow conditions.
BEGINNING SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29
The resort expects normal operations with three or four chairlifts, the Nordic Center and the Snowblast Tubing Park open.
“We’re disappointed that the weather threw us this curveball right before Thanksgiving”, said Tom Lomax, Mt. Bachelor’s director of mountain operations. “But we’re glad to see an improving forecast for the weekend and beyond with several inches of new snow on the way.”
Additional information about Mt. Bachelor’s operating plans can be found on the resort’s website.
About Mt. Bachelor: Mt. Bachelor is the largest ski resort in the Cascade Range, offering 3,683 acres of lift-accessible terrain. The mountain features 10 lifts, seven of which are Express Quads, plus two tubing lifts and two beginner carpets and an average annual snowfall of 462 inches. Mt. Bachelor also features 5 terrain parks, a superpipe, 56K of groomed and tracked cross country trails, snowshoeing, tubing, sled dog rides and summer attractions including downhill mountain biking. For weather conditions, news, and events visit www.mtbachelor.com.
