Mt. Bachelor opens Outback chairlift as more snow piles up on the slopes, but high winds bring a pause for some
MT. BACHELOR, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Mt. Bachelor skiers and boarders had lots of fresh powder and a newly opened chairlift to enjoy Thursday as a result of the latest snowstorms, though very windy conditions brought a pause for three lifts at midday.
Recording 10 inches in 24 hours and nearly 2.5 feet of snow in the past week, Mt. Bachelor opened the Outback lift for the season at 9 a.m. Thursday, Mt. Bachelor Communications and Community Relations Manager Presley Quon told KTVZ News.
"Teams have their sights set on getting Northwest open in the next couple days, conditions permitting," she told us. "The base depth at West Village has more than doubled since late December, allowing skiers and riders to enjoy more terrain and improved conditions in the new year."
Shortly before 1 p.m., the resort's mountain report noted that the Cloudchaser, Sunrise and Skyliner lifts were "going on hold due to wind." It also said the current base depth has topped three feet, at 38 inches. Temperatures were mostly in the teens, with winds to 50 mph and a maximum wind gust of 109 mph reported at the Sunrise Lodge.
On Thursday night, Mt. Bachelor is hosting its first Passholder Party of 2026 at Deschutes Brewery Public House, featuring free beer for the first 200 passholders and the chance to play bingo, win prizes, and connect with other passholders and Mt. Bachelor leaders.
On Friday, Adventure Scientists and representatives from the Whitebark Pine Ecosystems Foundation will gather at West Village Lodge for Lunch & Learn, followed by an on-snow tour to see these unique trees in-person.
Looking ahead to the weekend, there will be Passholder Early Ups on Red Chair (conditions permitting) as well as a new event called Sunday Refresh at the base of Cloudchaser chairlift. Guests can relax, grab a bite to eat, and enjoy mimosas or non-alcoholic beverages on the snow between laps.
