Industry News
On August 22, 2024, POWDR Corporation announced it was selling Killington Resort and Pico Mountain, Vermont, to local pass holders, as well as three other resorts, including Mt. Bachelor, Oregon.
Shortly after the announcement, a local group, now called Mount Bachelor Community Inc. (MBCI), emerged to buy the resort in Central Oregon to bring it back to local community ownership. Guests at Mount Bachelor have grown weary over the years of POWDR’s ownership. Among the complaints have been customer service, parking, traffic, ticket and pass prices, snow management and terrain access, long lines, the introduction of the “Fast Tracks,” and the most glaring of all, the breakdown and failure of multiple lifts.
See below for all the latest updates on the progress made with the most recent update first and be sure to check this page for future updates.
October 13, 2024: Hundreds Show Up to Kickoff Event at Drake Park
On a beautiful Saturday afternoon, MBCI held a rally at Drake Park in Bend. It was a fun and family-friendly event with delicious food and beverage options as well as live music.
MBCI’s co-founders, Dan Cochrane and Chris Porter, took the stage to explain why the vision for the mountain matters and how it has been inspired and driven forward by the community’s incredible energy and enthusiasm. “It’s an incredible legacy opportunity for this community and the Mt. Bachelor community at large to be able to bring this mountain home again, back to its roots,” said Cochrane.
Melanie Kebler, Mayor of the City of Bend, outlined why the local government supports MBCI’s work and what it’s doing to help drive the movement forward. The entire event was emceed by local Mt. Bachelor conditions reporting legend Josh Surran, AKA Josh Reports.
Additionally, the GoFundMe campaign has surpassed $40,000, another testament to the incredible outpouring of support.
September 27, 2024: Fundraising Goal Met and Legal Services Secured
In just over a week, the GoFundMe campaign reached 105% of its $35,000 fundraising goal. This incredible achievement underscores the generous support and belief in the movements momentum and makes it clear that the Mount Bachelor community is serious.
Thanks to the fundraising, MBCI was able to finalize an agreement with one of Oregon’s most prominent firms for legal services to support the effort to purchase Mt. Bachelor. This critical development will allow it to develop competitive sales materials and share packages for our community.
September 23, 2024: City Council Support and Banking Partner
First, an update on the GoFundMe Campaign showed that $20,000, or 66% of the $35,000 goal, had been raised.
Additionally, it was shared that a very productive meeting with the Bend City Council had taken place and that they voiced their support for the mission and are preparing an official letter of support. This is a major step forward, demonstrating the local government’s belief in the community vision.
Also, as part of the ongoing efforts to build a strong foundation of community partnerships, Summit Bank was announced as the future partner for banking services. Summit Bank is owned by over 400 local shareholders, most of whom are clients and individuals who live and work in the community. This aligns with the group’s strategy to return operation of the mountain to local ownership.
Coming up on October 12 is the kickoff party at Drake Park from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. PT. There will be live music, food carts, and special speakers. The event will also be televised so it will be a great opportunity to show the unity and commitment to the cause. Everyone who donated $25 or more to the GoFundMe campaign will receive a commemorative “Powder to the People” sticker at the event.
September 18, 2024: GoFundMe Campaign Goes Live
The group launched its GoFundMe campaign with a goal of raising $35,000 to cover essential costs in its bid to acquire Mt. Bachelor as a community-owned benefit corporation. Contributions to the GoFundMe campaign are considered gifts and are not tax-deductible or refundable. They are not a formal investment in Mount Bachelor Community Inc. More information about future events and opportunities for formal involvement will be provided soon.
The group also shared the core values driving the movement which include stewardship of the local environment, helping the community thrive, and reinvesting in the Central Oregon Economy.
September 16, 2024: New Website and Funding Proposal
The organizers are thrilled with the quick mobilization of volunteers and supporters, highlighting that the project is a true example of teamwork. The community’s involvement, including local businesses and passionate individuals, has provided the momentum needed to keep this vision moving forward.
New volunteers have joined the effort, bringing fresh ideas and energy, which is helping to grow the team. Their contributions are proving to be essential as everyone shares a unified goal of securing the future of Mt. Bachelor for the community. The spirit of collaboration continues to drive the initiative, with local businesses such as Sunriver Brewing and Haven Co-working Reimagined offering resources and support.
Another milestone is the launch of the project’s website, which will serve as a hub for information and updates. Though the website is still in the process of fully going live, the community can now access it at https://mtbachelorcommunity.com, with more updates expected soon. The site is an important tool for spreading the word and rallying more support.
Looking ahead, the team is planning a Community Kickoff Event at Drake Park on October 12. This event is expected to build even more momentum, bringing together supporters for a day of celebration and excitement. In addition, the organizers are preparing to open a corporate bank account to accept donations and cover startup expenses, with a GoFundMe campaign in the works.
September 2, 2024: Incorporating as Mount Bachelor Community Inc.
Local residents Chris Porter and Dan Cochrane spearheaded the efforts and organized a meeting to discuss the feasibility of operating Mount Bachelor with local ownership. Those in attendance included other locals, government representatives, and private investors. “The effort is to bring it back into local ownership of the community,” Cochrane told the Central Oregon Daily. “It’s the original foundation of the town, and we would love to return it to the great ski hill that it once was.”
At the meeting, the group officially incorporated as Mount Bachelor Community Inc. and is actively pursuing B Corp Status. Benefit Corporations are a type of business that balances purpose and profit. They are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on workers, customers, suppliers, the community, and the environment. B Corps aims to create a positive impact on society in addition to generating profits. The nonprofit B Lab certifies B Corps to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.
As a B Corp, Mount Bachelor Community Inc. will be committed to delivering meaningful public benefits while providing investment opportunities to community members. It will pursue both specific and general public benefits, including environmental preservation of the natural areas in and around Mount Bachelor, promoting eco-friendly and sustainable business practices in all operations, and creating social and economic opportunities for the local community, including job creation and support for local businesses.
Mount Bachelor is the biggest, and some consider the best, resort in all of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. It is known for its expansive terrain and breathtaking views of the Cascade Mountains. With a vertical drop of 3,365 feet and 4,323 acres, it is the seventh-largest resort in North America. It is known for its light, dry snow, diverse terrain, family-friendliness, and long seasons. Having the resort under local ownership with those who truly care would be a welcome development for those who visit.
