As new ski lift rises, so do Mt. Bachelor pass prices

Mt. Bachelor announced Wednesday season pass pricing for the upcoming 2016-2017 ski and snowboard season, up in general $20 to $70 from last year as the new Cloudchaser lift takes shape, among other changes.

The resort also released pricing on seasonal children’s programs offered by the resort’s Gravity School. The seasonal programs typically sell out prior the start of the season.

Mt. Bachelor Full Season Passes purchased on or before September 30 are priced at $929 for adults, up from $889 last year. Young Adult (ages 19-26) pass prices will be $459 (up $40); Teen (13-18) and Senior 70+ are priced at $329 (a $20 increase); passes for youth ages 6-12 are priced at $219 (also up $20); passes for Seniors ages 65-69 are $599 (a $20 increase). Season passes for children younger than age 6 remain $29.

Midweek Pass prices will be $629 for adults (formerly $609) and $499 (also up $20) for seniors ages 65-69. The popular 12 Day Pass and 4-Pack will also return this year, priced at $569 (up $70) and $209 (up $30), respectively, if purchased on or before September 30.

Payment plans are once again available, requiring only a down payment of $49 for each pass ordered by September 15, with $20 serving as an administrative fee. Equal payments for the balance are due October 15 and November 15 and will be automatically charged to purchasers’ credit cards.

In a letter to previous season pass holders, President and General Manager of Mt. Bachelor John McLeod stated, “Being on federal lands, we cannot price products based on residential ZIP codes. But our pricing strategy over the years has consistently favored the season pass, which for those of us who live here and can visit frequently essentially represents the best ‘locals’ deal we are able to offer all year.”

Season passes will go on sale Thursday at noon on Mt. Bachelor’s website.

Skiers and riders who purchase a Mt. Bachelor Full Season Pass are eligible to visit themaxpass.com and purchase the M.A.X. Pass add-on for only $299 for adults, $249 for teens and $199 for youth.

In the letter to pass holders, McLeod laid out several other off-season improvements, including that the West Village deck surface and accessibility are being upgraded.

“Operationally, we are installing a new, digital, state-of-the-art radio system which will provide clearer and safer communications across the mountain,” he wrote. “Our operational departments and ski patrol in particular are excited for this significant improvement to our on-mountain communications.

“We have other communication and operational changes being planned bringing greater transparency and consistency to our lift opening strategy during storm cycles, which being a La Nia year should be early and often and DEEP!”

“Prior to the beginning of the season, we are planning to implement a new ticketing and point of sale system across the resort,” McLeod added. “This will allow us to move into a new era of on-line, in-resort and mobile access to products and services. More to come on that later, but for now, a season pass is still a season pass, and still BY FAR the best value product we offer.”

The resort is also installing a WI-Fi lounge downstairs in the West Village lodge, including charging stations and a facility to store a laptop or iPad.

“Season pass prices have increased by an average of around 5 percent this year,” he wrote. “In addition to the capital investment associated with Cloudchaser, the expansion of our lift service and terrain inevitably comes with increased operational costs. We must also adapt to increased costs resulting from changes to the Oregon minimum wage legislation this year (and even more as we look beyond 2017) along with other government mandated changes adding significantly to our employment costs.”

“Although price increases are never fun, it’s worth noting that the price of a season pass this season is still lower than it was in 1999, prior to POWDR’s ownership of the resort,” McLeod added. “Over the same period, POWDR has invested more than $38 million in capital projects at Mt. Bachelor.”

“I know many of you like to do the math, so we have included lift ticket pricing on our website, and you will see that we have kept increases to season passes below the increase in our daily ticket prices, adding value to your season pass.” (The daily adult full-day pass is rising from $84 to $92.)

“This may seem like a lot of justification, however I realize that more than any other product we offer, our season pass prices are a matter of discussion in the community. My goal in this, as when we begin operations this winter, is to be as transparent as possible with our communications and actions so you can make informed decisions about how best to enjoy your mountain.”

The rest of the resort’s announcement:

CHILDREN’S GRAVITY SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Mt. Bachelor has also made Gravity School multi-week children’s programs available for booking. These ski and snowboard lesson programs are offered in three-week and nine-week configurations on Saturdays and Sundays and are popular among local families.

“All Mountain Skiers” and “All Mountain Riders” serve skiers ages 6-14 and snowboarders ages 7-14, respectively, and are priced at $169 for three-week sessions and $479 for nine-week sessions.

“Mighty Mites” and “Mighty Riders” serve skiers ages 4-5 and snowboarders ages 5-6, respectively, and are priced at $179 for three-week sessions and $519 for nine-week sessions.

The nine-week sessions can be purchased with a payment plan, requiring only $49 down, per child, the deadline for payment plan purchases is September 15.

Additional information on season passes, the M.A.X. Pass and seasonal children’s programs may be found on Mt. Bachelor’s website.

NEW EAST SIDE LIFT, CLOUDCHASER ADDS 635 ACRES OF NEW TERRAIN

Since July 1, construction has been underway on Mt. Bachelor’s new lift, Cloudchaser. The tower forms were placed last week and the concrete for the tower foundations was poured on Monday. McLeod stated, “It is not every day you get to watch a Blackhawk helicopter pour concrete for tower foundations of a new lift. We could not be more excited to enhance our on-mountain experience for local visitors and destination guests alike.”

Cloudchaser is still on track for a mid-December opening and brings Mt. Bachelor’s total skiable acreage over 4,300 making it the fifth largest ski resort in the country.

LA NIA FOLLOWING EL NIO HISTORICALLY MEANS BIG SNOW AT MT. BACHELOR

With a potential La Nia pattern brewing in the Pacific Ocean, Mt. Bachelor is preparing for a deep snowpack this winter. According to the resort’s snowfall records, a La Nia winter following El Nio brings above average snowfall.

“Since 1990 we have had five occurrences of La Nia following El Nio delivering anywhere from 363″ to over 600″ at Mt. Bachelor, with the most recent occurrence bringing 665” of snow in the 2010-2011 winter season, McLeod said. “With Cloudchaser in the mix, it will be a great winter to be a pass holder.”

Mt. Bachelor plans to open for the 2016-2017 winter skiing and snowboarding season on Friday, November 25, if weather and snow conditions allow.

About Mt. Bachelor: Mt. Bachelor is the fifth-largest ski resort in the USA, offering 4,318 acres of lift-accessible terrain. The mountain features 11 lifts, eight of which are Express Quads. Mt. Bachelor also features 5 terrain parks, 56K of groomed 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.