Mt Bachelor extends season to June 20

[schubwa]

Ha, it's true but it's not the ski lifts. The Mt Bachelor Nordic Area, at about 6300' directly across the parking lot from West Village, is to stay open until June 20. I don't have any more details, but I suspect the US Nordic squad (and very likely the Canadian Team, due to Bend local Justin Wadsworth being the head coach) will be training here, and so had much to do with this decision.
They will offer $49 passes through PPP (May 21) or $89 till June 20. If you have a nordic season pass (I do) then you are good to go. I know most of you guys could give a $hit about this bit of news, but us local nordic skiers are ecstatic! I get back from Maui on June 5 and get to get back on snow and train for a few more weeks. Perfect.

 

[Tony Crocker]

I may not be a Nordic skier, but it's at least a sign that Powdr Corp is thinking about the immense spring/summer potential of Mt. Bachelor. Bringing in national teams for summer training is the way to go in terms of covering expenses of staying open. They have the best late season product in North America if they would put some effort into marketing it; they should be able to attract Alpine teams as well.

 

[rfarren]

Better than Mammoth?

 

[schubwa]

They have the best late season product in North America

Better than Mammoth?

After nearly six weeks of constant powder days with temperatures in the 10’s and 20’s, twenty feet of snowfall and a few bluebirds mixed in, one could argue it gets pretty good here during the winter as well. But now it’s spring and I may be able to share some thoughts after 45 seasons split between Mammoth and Bachelor.
Which is better for spring skiing? I say it’s a close horse race. I’ve had way more corn days at Mammoth due to my youthful enthusiasm as well as the fact they keep it open on big years. No doubt they get sublime corn with its unique climate (high altitude and low latitude), killer terrain (in and out of bounds) and high snowfall (sometimes). They really work it at Mammoth with their progressive attitudes and prolific salting. All that sun doesn’t kink your attitude either. Did I mention all the terrific and easily accessed Eastern High Sierra ski terrain nearby??? Drawbacks? Not as much to do in the afternoons and the feast or famine California snow machine.
There is no arguing about whom has the corn available come springtime and summer in these parts. There is a reason all the major peaks over 9000’ have glaciers and there is year-round lift accessed skiing nearby at Timberline. I think it’s the consistent snowy winters combined with cooler summer temperatures that gives the snow pack its staying power. Too bad you can’t get to it! The problem isn’t the venue; it’s the owners of the ski area back in Park City. I’ll let Tony chime in as to protect the fragile detente I have forged these past few seasons with management. At this time we’ll have to smile about getting to Memorial Day (we were granted a two-week extension this season) and the Nordic grooming (no facilities, but who cares). Bend is still 20 minutes away.
Boy, there sure are some great corn days in June where you could start on the east facing Cow’s Face and work your way around the cone, following the sun as she warms the kernels, all smooth and nice.

 

[Tony Crocker]

In terms of natural snow Bachelor has the better spring product. Average snowfall at Mammoth and Bachelor is almost identical. But the sun definitely hammers the snow in spring/summer more severely at Mammoth, 7 degrees latitude farther south. Mammoth gets to July 4th in 30% of seasons, and some of those management has to do some work to keep Broadway open and thus 2,100 vertical skiable to Main Lodge. Bachelor would have 3,100 vertical skiable to July 4 I'd guess close to 2/3 of seasons if management were so motivated.

I have had 5 amazing corn days at Bachelor; that's quite impressive considering only 9 spring days total there. Bachelor is so much lower skier density. Lots of Summit terrain is virtually undisturbed and thus corn can develop consistently.

In current operating modes, Mammoth offers the decisively superior product once you pass the last date (usually 3rd weekend in April, 4th this year with the late Easter) of full operation. Mammoth runs more lifts, stays open until the snow is gone, and adjusts operating hours based upon conditions instead of a fixed time of 2PM and a fixed date in May. Mammoth also salts the groomed runs; Bachelor did too in 1990, but Schubwa can tell us whether they still do that.