Mt. Bachelor announces lift upgrades, new passholder perks as it gears up for 2025-26 season
Kelsey Merison
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Snow sport enthusiasts–Mt. Bachelor has some exciting news!
While winter may seem far away, the resort is gearing up for another great season, and has announced upgrades to the Northwest Lift as well as a variety of new passholder perks.
In a recent press release, Mt. Bachelor said it’s working to improve Northwest’s efficiency and reliability to allow guests more consistent access to the beloved expert terrain on the west side of the mountain, with construction beginning in April of 2026.
It’s also introducing a variety of new passholder perks, including kids 12 and under receiving a free Unlimited Season Pass with the purchase of any adult Unlimited or Outplay 365 Pass.
Additionally, there will be a series of complimentary après activities focused on family fun added to the calendar!
Mt. Bachelor is projecting an opening date of November 28th, the day after Thanksgiving.
Read more from the press release below on additional announcements:
“Mt. Bachelor Announces Upgrades to Northwest Lift, New Community Programming and Passholder Perks
Mt. Bachelor’s 24/25 season was one for the books with the earliest opening since 1998 and an above average season with over 450” of total snowfall. If thelong-range forecast holds true, skiers and riders will rejoice in yet another above-average snow season this winter.
Looking to 25/26, Mt. Bachelor will begin upgrades to Northwest lift and introduce exciting additions to community programming, events, and passholder perks. A variety of season passes are available for purchase, with the best prices of the fall offered through September 30, including Kids Ski Freepasses, which go off sale on October 1.
Here’s what skiers and riders can expect at Mt. Bachelor this season:
Operations & Infrastructure
Mt. Bachelor’s projected opening date is November 28, 2025. Conditions permitting, the resort will offer skiing and riding off Pine Marten, Little Pine, and Skyliner lifts.
With efforts already underway, Mt. Bachelor will modernize the Northwest lift, improving the efficiency and reliability to allow guests more consistent access to the beloved expert terrain on the west side of the mountain. Construction is slated to begin in April 2026, with plans to ultimately replace the top and bottom operator shacks, electric drive components, expand the chair storage structure, and install a night drive system which will allow the haul rope to spin with no chairs on the line to minimize ice build-up and therefore operate with fewer weather impacts.
As part of Mt. Bachelor’s Play Forever initiative to protect the environment and support the community, work continues on the state-of-the-art wood-fuel energy facility. This project will allow Mt. Bachelor to utilize existing slash piles in the Deschutes National Forest to generate heat for its base area buildings, eliminating most of the propane use across the resort. The facility will create a stable market for the biproduct of crucial fire mitigation work while reducing CO2 emissions that result from burning slash piles. The facility is on track to be fully operational by fall of 2026.
Aspiring and seasoned freestyle riders will enjoy new layouts in several Woodward Mountain Parks, including a new beginner terrain park off Little Pine and a reimagined terrain park next to the 13’ halfpipe under Pine Marten lift.
Rentals & Retail
Mt. Bachelor Sports Rentals and Retail will open in Bend and Sunriver this season, in addition to existing locations at Sunrise and Mountain Gateway at the resort. These new winter locations will offer Salomon ski and Burton snowboard rentals, plus Mt. Bachelor logo wear, souvenirs, and accessories. For the best rental pricing, guests can purchase packages online in advance, select their preferred pick-up location, and return their equipment wherever it is most convenient.
At their lowest price ever, Season-Long Rentalsare now available to book book online, offering families an easy and cost-effective way to hit the slopes this winter. At just $199 for an adult standard equipment package and $109 for a youth and juniors, the value is unbeatable. Each Season-Long Rental comes with unlimited free belt waxes and mid-season trade-ins for bigger sizes to help accommodate growth spurts and aid progression. Custom-fittings by skilled rental technicians at both Bend and Mountain Gateway will start in October.
Kids & Community Programming
Kids 12 & under get a FREE Unlimited Season Passwith the purchase of any adult Unlimited or Outplay 365 Pass. Additionally, there will be a series of complimentary après activities focused on family fun from s’more roasting and helmet decorating to face painting and lodge dance parties.
Kids and families will also get chances to see Mt. Bachelor’s grooming cats and snow removal equipment up close. Operators will demonstrate how these impressive machines work and answer questions about their unique roles in keeping the mountain accessible.
Signature multi-week programs for kids will continue offering progression sessions for all ability levels, with the addition of a “Park Rats” terrain-park focused program for aspiring freestyle riders, a tele-ski session, women’s-only meetups, and an adult multi-week session perfect for parents with kids in the program. Signature Programs can be booked here.
Resort Events
In addition to RendezVan, guests can look forward to a packed event line up with classics like the Dirksen Derby, Big Wave Challenge, Winter Pridefest, Subaru Winterfest, and the Annual North American Pond Skimming Championships. New this season, Mt. Bachelor is bringing a competition to a classic feature off Summit lift known as “the cornice” which will draw experts from across the industry for a jaw-dropping spectacle on top of Mt. Bachelor’s volcanic peak.
On four occasions in 2026, Mt. Bachelor will host Moonlight Dinners at Pine Marten Lodge. After indulging in an exquisite multi-course meal at 7,800 feet, guests will carve fresh tracks down the mountain to cap off a truly unique and memorable evening.
On the Nordic side, guests can look forward to Full Moon Luminaria Nights, guided sunset snowshoe tours, and the return of popular lesson offerings like Nord in 4, She’s On Skis, and Master’s Training Group. New for the 2025-26 season, the Nordic Center will offer kid’s ski camps during holiday periods, and a new XC race called the Moonlight Loppet.
Passholder Perks
Mt. Bachelor is excited to continue offering exclusive perks to Outplay, Full Season, and Midweek passholders, including:
Revamped Passholder Parties at different locations in Bend with complimentary beer and rotating themes and games
$5 beers at Deschutes Brewery and Boneyard Beer Company when you flash your pass
Discounted Friends & Family tickets and Passholder Perk tickets
Early lift access on select Saturdays throughout the season
Passholder Appreciation Weekends with discounts on retail, rentals, demos, tune shop and food & beverage, plus early or late access to select lifts and the chance to win raffle prizes
Exclusive discounts with Subaru North America (save up to $3,400!)
Mt. Bachelor App
In addition to providing maps, alerts, weather/operations updates, lift/trail statuses, wait times, emergency resources, and the ability to share real-time location with friends and family, the Mt. Bachelor mobile app will feature new competitions which unlock more than just bragging rights. This year, achievers can earn discounts and freebies at Mt. Bachelor’s restaurants and retail stores. Downloading the app is easy and free. Learn more here.”