Possible sale of Mt. Bachelor looms over skiers enjoying fresh snow on the way this weekend

(Update: Adding video, comments from skiers and experts)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)-- Fresh powder on Mt. Bachelor this week is bringing a lot of eager snow-lovers and traffic to the slopes this Friday and weekend. But while skiers and snowboarders enjoy the conditions, the reminder of the unknown future of the resort looms.

"I think that locally, the sentiment seemed to be that there was an opportunity to reset what Mt. Bachelor was and what it could be," said Stuart Winchester, editor and host of The Storm Skiing Journal & Podcast.

It's been over three months since POWDR Corp. announced it was looking to sell Mt. Bachelor, and the hunt for that new owner is heating up. 

Several multi-mountain U.S. ski resort companies are apparently considering a bid for the resort. Vail, Alterra and Mountain Capital Partners are all interested in Mt. Bachelor, as was discussed at a recent City Club forum livestreamed by NewsChannel 21.

Local duo Chris Porter and Dan Cochrane threw their hat in the ring in September, hoping to return the resort founded by Bill Healy to community ownership. The team has raised thousands of dollars so far for their "Buy Back Mt. Bachelor" initiative.

"I don't think the highest bidder wins in this case," Winchester said Friday. "What Powdr really wants to ensure as part of their legacy is that the last 20 years that they've put into building up Mt. Bachelor doesn't get wasted."

Local skiers and snowboarders at Mt. Bachelor had strong reactions Friday to potential buyers.

"There's a good community over here. You know, like, it's just so nice. It has been my home mountain for 18 years," said Lucas and Ian.

"No Vail!" they added.

A famous regular at the mountain called 'SkiMum' says she's hopeful: "We have like the longest ski season of anywhere in the world. So at the end of the day, I know that it's going to end up in good hands, no matter which direction it goes," she said.

But Winchester says the resort could be without a buyer for years.

"There's a lot of factors at play, and there's a lot of things that Powdr will consider," he said. "And ultimately, people in buying need to understand that powder could keep the resort long-term."