Bend, Ore. – Due to below-average winter snowfall and a diminishing snowpack, Mt. Bachelor will close for the season at the end of the operating day on Sunday, May 10.
The resort had tentatively planned to remain open through Sunday, May 24, but resort officials were forced to change plans after seeing the effects of a meager snow winter and a warm spring.
“This was a difficult decision and one that I wish I didn’t have to make,” said Dave Rathbun, Mt. Bachelor’s president and general manager. “Unfortunately, with so little snow remaining in our base areas, the goal of staying open until Memorial Day weekend is no longer realistic.”
To date, Mt. Bachelor has received 212” of snow since October 1, far below the resort’s 462” average. Only the winters of 1976-77, 1977-78 and 2000-01 delivered less snow. This winter’s maximum base area snow depth of 53”, recorded on February 28, was the lowest maximum base depth in the resort’s history.
“Even with one of our worst snow years ever, it’s awesome that Mt. Bachelor can still offer skiing and snowboarding into May,” Rathbun added. “Conditions were remarkably good all season despite the low snowfall. I am grateful to our staff for providing a great experience all year long and we thank the thousands of local, regional and national guests who visited Mt. Bachelor this winter.”
Mt. Bachelor will operate daily this week and will conclude the winter season with its annual BrewSki Beer Festival this Saturday and Sunday. Lift hours will be 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. with the weekend beer festival open from Noon until 3:00 p.m.
Following Sunday’s winter season closure, the resort will launch its summer season on Friday, July 3 with downhill mountain biking, sunset dinners, scenic chairlift rides, disc golf and sled dog rides.
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