Mt. Bachelor gears up for snowy weekend with up to 10 inches of fresh powder expected
Harley Coldiron
DESCHUTES COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — Mt. Bachelor received 6 inches of snow over the past week, with forecasts calling for up to 7-10 inches of additional accumulation by Thursday afternoon. Our Chief Meteorologist John Carroll is tracking a Winter Weather Warning and has enacted two Local Alert Weather Days for the impactful snowfall ahead. He warns that travel trouble and mountain passes could be an issue.
The resort is hosting a series of events from April 2 through April 5, including a professional snowboarding competition, a passholder party and an Easter egg hunt.
Heavy snowfall is expected to continue through Thursday evening before clear skies and warmer temperatures return for the weekend. The scheduled activities include an appearance by professional snowboarder Danny Davis and a five-course Moonlight Dinner at Pine Marten Lodge.
Mountain reports from Thursday morning indicated the resort received two inches of fresh snow overnight, with light snowfall continuing during early operations. Resort officials forecast heavy snowfall to bring an additional five to 10 inches throughout the day on Thursday. Base area temperatures at West Village were recorded at 30 degrees, with on-hill temperatures expected to remain in the upper 20s.
A second wave of heavy snow is forecast for Thursday evening, which is expected to bring seven to 10 inches of accumulation by Friday morning. Moderate to strong winds and hazy conditions are expected to persist through the end of the day Thursday. Mountain staff advised visitors to use low-light lenses and equipment for clearing goggles during these conditions.
The week’s scheduled festivities begin with the April Passholder Party on Thursday at On Tap Bend from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Resort leadership will be in attendance to meet with the community and distribute prizes. The first 200 passholders who present a 25/26 Outplay 365, Alpine Full Season or Midweek pass will receive a free drink.
Professional snowboarder Davis is scheduled to return to the mountain on Friday for the Party in the Peace Park. The event, presented by Mountain Dew, runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and offers up to $3,000 in cash prizes and merchandise from Skullcandy and Woodward Peace Park. An after-party featuring live music and food will follow on the West Village Deck from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Friday evening features a Moonlight Dinner at Pine Marten Lodge for $149 per guest. The experience includes a twilight chairlift ride and a five-course prix fixe dinner with wine pairings from Bledsoe Wine Estate. The evening concludes with a guided moonlight ski or snowboard descent down the freshly groomed Olympian run.
The Snake-Run Rally, a grassroots banked slalom snowboard competition, will take place Saturday in the Skyliner area. Although registration for the event is currently closed, the resort is offering “Early Ups” at 8 a.m. for Outplay 365 and Full Season passholders, provided weather and conditions allow for early operations.
The week of events concludes Sunday with the Nordic Easter Egg Hunt from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Nordic Center. Participants must be on skis or in a pulled chariot to search for hidden treats and 50 YETI mugs along the beginner trails. All participants are required to have a valid trail or season pass.
Sunshine and warmer temperatures are forecast to return to the area on Friday and continue through the weekend. Mountain operations will update the weather and conditions report as the storm system moves through the region.