Oregon ski season is getting underway, and Mt. Bachelor is ready to kick things off.
The central Oregon ski area announced Wednesday that it will be reopening its slopes on Saturday, Dec. 2, welcoming skiers, snowboarders and snowshoers back to the mountain – conditions permitting.
Mt. Bachelor had previously planned to open on Nov. 24 but delayed the big day as snow failed to arrive by Thanksgiving. It’s the first major ski area in Oregon to announce its reopening for the 2023-24 season.
The decision to open came following the latest weather forecast that shows significant snowfall starting Wednesday night, it said. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm advisory for the area from Thursday to Saturday, predicting 20 to 40 inches above 5,000 feet, with wind gusting up to 40 mph.
Lauren Burke, director of marketing and communications for Mt. Bachelor, said that should be enough to get the ski area up and running.
The plan is to open the Little Pine and Sunrise lifts by Saturday morning, though wind and ice may push it back, Burke said in the announcement. The Mt. Bachelor Nordic Center is also expected to reopen Saturday, along with Mountain Gateway at West Village, West Village Lodge, and Sunrise Lodge.
As crews work to prepare the mountain for opening day, Mt. Bachelor will close all uphill ski and snowshoeing traffic. Starting opening day, the resort will begin its usual uphill travel policy.
Burke said Mt. Bachelor is continuing to assess conditions as they develop, and will post updates online at mtbachelor.com, as well as on social media.
— Jamie Hale
503-294-4077; jhale@oregonian.com; @HaleJamesB
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