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Nicky Blumm

No Poles, No Problems: The Joy of Skiing Like a Snowboarder

In January 2019, something ordinary happened that changed how I slide over snow: I forgot my poles. I wasnโ€™t about to rent poles from Mt. Bachelor, so I opted for a poles-free day, thinking I might learn something from the park rats. I never picked up poles again. As it turned out, skiing without poles, I had no problems (and [โ€ฆ]

Nicky Blumm | June 2, 2025
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Spotlight on Mt. Bachelor, OR: RendezVan Festival 2025

Mt.BachelorVans

As winter loosens its grip on the Cascades, Mt. Bachelor (just outside of Bend, Oregon) once again welcomed a vibrant tribe of nomadic souls and slope enthusiasts for one of the Pacific Northwestโ€™s most anticipated gatherings โ€” the RendezVan Festival. More than just a festival, RendezVan is a celebration of the adventurous van-life spirit. RendezVan blends mountain culture with music, [โ€ฆ]

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Nicky Blumm | April 24, 2025
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Mt. Bachelor, OR, Report: Finding Perfect Winter Snow in Spring

Mt.Bachelor Flip

Report from March 28-29, 2025 One might think a ski trip at the end of March would be for spring conditions only. But then one might not be used to the majesty of the Pacific Northwest. Mt. Bachelor, just 20 miles from Bend, Oregon, graced us with fresh snow during both the days we visited this week. The snow started [โ€ฆ]

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Nicky Blumm | March 30, 2025
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Spotlight on Mt. Bachelor, OR: Spring Sun, Snow, and Spirited Events

Mt.BachelorSign

Report from March 24, 2025 As the days lengthen and the sun graces the slopes of Mt. Bachelor, outside of Bend, Oregon, the resort transforms for spring festivities. Beyond the allure of soft, sun-kissed snow, Mt. Bachelor curates a series of events that encapsulate the spirited essence of the season. This article offers a glimpse into the festivities awaiting visitors [โ€ฆ]

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Nicky Blumm | March 27, 2025
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Big White, BC, Report: A Grand & Snowy Adventure

Report from March 11-13, 2025 Returning to Big White, located outside of Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, is a true joy. We first visited Big White last year during an otherwise low snow year. Big White shocked us with snow then, and it exceeded expectations upon this yearโ€™s return, including fresh snow each day we were on the slopes and knee-deep [โ€ฆ]

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Nicky Blumm | March 14, 2025
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Kicking Horse, BC, Report: Bowls and Ridges

Report from March 7, 2025 Kicking Horse in British Columbia, Canada, is comprised of four bowls, complete with rowdy rideable ridges. The Golden Eagle Gondola takes riders from the base up the left-middle ridge, offering southside access to the Bowl Over and northside access to the Crystal Bowl. A ski and hike down the ridge provides access to the Terminator [โ€ฆ]

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Nicky Blumm | March 11, 2025
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Kicking Horse, BC, Report: Skiing with Boo the Bear

Report from March 6, 2025 Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, located outside of Golden, British Columbia, sits on the western slopes of the Rocky Mountains, offering stunning views of the Purcell and Selkirk mountain ranges. The resort also has some of the most challenging in-bounds skiing in the world. Kicking Horse dazzles even the most seasoned of riders with access to [โ€ฆ]

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Nicky Blumm | March 7, 2025
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Mt. Bachelor, OR, Report: 300โ€ณ Snowfall So Far and Beautiful Bluebird Days

A Coda Phoenix monoski at the top of Northwest in the foreground; the Three Sisters and Broken Top in the background. | Photo: Nicky Blumm

Report from February 20-21, 2025 The end of this week at Mt. Bachelor, Oregon, showcased a clear view of the mountainโ€™s annual snowfall, which has already exceeded 300 inches. Beyond a ton of snowfall this year, it is critical that much of the snow has stuck around at Mt. Bachelor. Mt. Bachelorโ€™s formidable base currently sits at 125 inches, with [โ€ฆ]

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Nicky Blumm | February 23, 2025
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Mt. Bachelor, OR, Report: Holiday Storm Weekend

Report from February 17, 2025 Mt. Bachelor in Oregon somehow kept numerous lifts running during a storm that delivered punishing 80+ mile per hour winds. The wind during this storm system seemed to come from every direction: west, east, and down the mountain. Standing outside the Pine Marten Lodge I was nearly blown over with every gust. It would not [โ€ฆ]

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Nicky Blumm | February 18, 2025
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Mt. Bachelor, OR, Report: The Joy of the Storm

An injured chair waits at the base of the Outback Super Express, with the sun shining through the storm. (PC: Nicky Blumm)

Report from February 14, 2025 Spending Valentineโ€™s Day at Mt. Bachelor, Oregon, always feels right. This year, the day brought a very powerful storm, beginning in the wee hours. By the time the resort opened, there were already three to six inches of fresh snow. The parking lots quietly filled and stoke was incredibly highโ€”as were the winds, exceeding 80 [โ€ฆ]

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Nicky Blumm | February 15, 2025
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Mt. Bachelor, OR, Report: Bluebird with Blower Powder

Report from February 9-10, 2025 After a glorious (and grueling) week of nonstop storms at Mt. Bachelor, Oregon, Sunday and Monday provided a glimpse of the famed Central Oregon sunshine. After a week that delivered feet of snow to hungry powder chasers, these days were an opportunity to capitalize on great visibility and views of the surrounding volcanoes. Related: Mt. Bachelor, [โ€ฆ]

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Nicky Blumm | February 11, 2025
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Mt. Bachelor, OR, Report: Fantastic February

Report from February 3-7, 2025 February has started in the absolute best way at Mt. Bachelor, Oregon. The snow gods have delivered every day of February thus far. February began with three consecutive big storm days, totaling around 20 inches. Since then, every day (and night) has featured at least a few more inches. Not only that, but thanks to [โ€ฆ]

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Nicky Blumm | February 8, 2025
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Spotlight on Mt. Bachelor: Terrain Park Playground for Freestyle Enthusiasts

Mt. Bachelor, Oregon, is more than just a destination for powder hounds and familiesโ€”it is a haven for freestyle skiers and snowboarders looking to test their limits. From thoughtfully crafted jumps and rails to nationally recognized competitions, Mt. Bachelor has cultivated a lively freestyle culture that has earned international respect. Related: All the Latest Updates on Localsโ€™ Plan to Purchase [โ€ฆ]

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Nicky Blumm | February 2, 2025
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Spotlight on Mt. Bachelor: Where Van-Life Meets Adventure & Community

Growing up in Central Oregon, I have always recognized that the pairing of Mt. Bachelor and Bend, Oregon, is unique. Nestled in the Cascade Range, Mt. Bachelor offers more than just world-class skiing and breathtaking vistasโ€”it shares a symbiotic relationship with the nearby city of Bend. This dynamic pairing has helped establish the area as a hub for outdoor enthusiasts, [โ€ฆ]

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Nicky Blumm | January 28, 2025
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Mt. Bachelor, OR, Report: Midseason in December?

skiing in powder on a mono ski

Report from December 16-17, 2024 Deciding to send it to Bend, Oregon, for the tail-end of the most recent PNW storm system at Mt. Bachelor was the right call. It is amazing to have access to such an impressive playground just a three-hour drive or 25-minute flight from my home base in Portland, Oregon. Leaving Portland, I couldnโ€™t help but [โ€ฆ]

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Nicky Blumm | December 18, 2024
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Mount Hood, OR, Backcountry Report: Fresh Snow on a Big Base

Report from Tuesday, December 10, 2024 There are a lot of ways to enjoy the south side of Mount Hood, Oregon. With a sunny day between storm cycles, I wanted to test the area west of Timberline Resort. In particular, I wanted to ski around the Little Zigzag River. I skinned from Timberline to a few hundred feet above Palmer. [โ€ฆ]

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Nicky Blumm | December 12, 2024
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Hoodoo, OR, Backcountry Report: Thankful for a Deep Base

Report from Thursday, November 28, 2024 Hoodoo Ski Area, Oregon, opens tomorrow, but we took some early Thanksgiving turns. Hoodoo boasts about being โ€œsteep, deep, and cheap,โ€ but last season was especially brutal at the low-elevation resort. Fortunately, this year, the resort appears to be in far better shapeโ€” there was consistently 30+ inches throughout the resort. Our first lap [โ€ฆ]

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Nicky Blumm | November 28, 2024
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Mount Hood, OR, Backcountry Report: Snow Returns to the PNW

Report from Tuesday, November 6, 2024 Itโ€™s no secret that the Pacific Northwest has enjoyed a very stormy week to start the month of November. Happily, the stormy week allowed Timberline to open limited terrain for the weekend storm. Wednesday was the first sunny day the mountain had seen in quite a while. From the Timberline Lodge to the top [โ€ฆ]

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Nicky Blumm | November 6, 2024
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Mount Adams, WA, Backcountry Report: Off the Summit of Adams

Report from June 28, 2024 Mount Adams is the second-tallest volcano in the Pacific Northwest. Sitting at 12,281 feet and with an 8,000-foot prominence, only Mount Rainier (at a mighty 14,411 feet) can make Adams feel small. After three attempts to summit in the past three years, Jardon Weems and I were stoked to drop off the top and earn [โ€ฆ]

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Nicky Blumm | July 1, 2024
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Mount Hood, OR, Backcountry Report: Fresh Summer Snow

Report from June 20, 2024 June is synonymous with summer, but in the Pacific Northwest, we get fresh snow. This week, Timberline Lodge reported more than seven inches of snow. There was even more fresh above the resort, including at least a foot in the bowl. Itโ€™s hard to ignore fresh snow anytime, but this late in the season, it [โ€ฆ]

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Nicky Blumm | June 21, 2024
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