Mt. Bachelor Opens 635 More Acres of Awesome

While skiers flocked the snowy slopes of Mt. Bachelor until closing day, groundbreaking plans were already underway for the off season. Along with the usual maintenance activities which go into keeping 3500+ acres in tip-top sending shape – such as shrub trimming, grading, and boulder tumbling – some major construction will be changing the face of the mountain forever. Officials at Powdr Corp have committed about $6M to the construction of a much-anticipated high-speed, detachable quad lift called Cloudchaser.

This new lift will access the east side of the mountain between two runs known as Sunrise Getback and East Catchline. Aptly named for the unpredictable weather patterns of that area, it will open up an area of ‘side country’ black diamond runs which previously required an arduous hike to return to lift-accessed terrain.

According to local news company KTVZ, the interim mountain manager, John Mcleod explains, “This is an exciting milestone not only for Mt. Bachelor, but for the entire Central Oregon community including our season pass holders, who have been anticipating the new lift and terrain since the Master Development Plan was approved in 2013.”

The stats on this major investment are pretty impressive and will enhance the already incredible experience of skiing or riding Mt. Bachelor.

• Cloudchaser will have the capacity to carry 2,400 people per hour.
• Vertical Rise is 1448 ft, and the actual length is 6576 ft.
• 141 chairs and 21 towers will open a total of 635 new skiiable acres.
• Within those new acres, 6.2 miles of new groomed runs will be added.

Mt. Bachelor celebrated the announcement of these plans with a day of free skiing last May. And it is big news. Locals in the area have not had the chance to experience a brand new lift since 1996, but Powdr Corp’s investment shows some serious commitment to keeping Mt. Bachelor on the cutting edge of Cascade range skiing. With this addition of open terrain, total skiable acres come to an impressive 4,318.

Cloudchaser will be open for all access this December, assuming that the elements cooperate. Get your pass early, and get ready to shred!