Mt. Bachelor, OR, Trip Report: Storm Skiing Powder and Blue Skies Back to Back

Brent Thomas | | Post Tag for Conditions ReportConditions ReportPost Tag for Trip ReportTrip Report
selfie
On a good day, Mt Bachelor is hard to beat. Credit: Cameron Glogau

Trip Report for March 10-11, 2023

Every time I go to Central Oregon it’s a good time. This excursion was no exception.

I had plans to ski Mt Bachelor for two days. With friends on Friday, then with family on Saturday.

The forecast was calling for big snow on Friday, then sun on Saturday. Could it line up any better?

Day 1: Powder Storm Skiing

inches
This is a good sign. Credit: mtbachelor.com 3/10/23

I woke up to 13 inches of new snow overnight and 18 inches in the last 24 hours.

It was a classic Pacific Northwest storm skiing day. Sustained winds were 40 MPH all day with gusts even greater. It was snowing hard, and visibility was terrible.

It was awesome.

trees
The weather was so harsh that I didn’t want to take my gloves off for pictures, but I did get this one of my friend John following me through the trees and stashes. Credit: SnowBrains

Good thing Mt Bachelor has amazing tree skiing because that was what we did all day.

We started on Outback Express. Northwest Express was closed due to 100+ MPH winds at the top.

We then moved to Skyliner Express and eventually Cloudchaser. Every run was a search for untracked turns, and we could always find them.

Day 2: Blue Skies

The weather the next morning was a complete 180 from the day before. Blue skies and light winds made it hard to believe it had been so jarring the day before. These are the days you dream about.

mt bachelor
If this doesn’t get you excited, check your pulse. Credit: SnowBrains

I was with my brother and two uncles, and we skied soft chalky snow all day with the occasional powder stash. It was never icy. It was perfect conditions for the Big Wave Challenge happening that day.

soft groomer
Credit: SnowBrains

Ski patrol was working to open up the Summit chair and we heard bombs go off and watched avalanches slide in the Cirque Bowl.

view
On top of the Northwest Express. Credit: SnowBrains

My uncle was on ski patrol at Mt Bachelor from 1988-1994 and told stories of how they would ride the cats up in the morning and throw avy bombs while smoking cigars.

We didn’t want to stop but eventually we had to get some lunch. The sun made it perfect for a parking lot picnic.

eat
Lunchtime. Credit: SnowBrains

We were having so much fun, we skied until almost closing time. 

park
Late-day groomer run. Credit: Cameron Glogau

Thank you, Mt Bachelor, what a fantastic trip.

Snow Numbers

report
Credit: mtbachelor.com 3/10/23

Forecast

noaa
Credit: weather.gov 3/10/23

Photos

snowing
Packing up to leave in a blizzard on the first day. Look at the snow drifts along the car. Credit: Casey Miller
outback
Sparks Lake in the background. Credit: SnowBrains
A competitor on the Big Wave Challenge course. Credit: SnowBrains
lines
Long wait at Northwest Express before Summit opened. Credit: SnowBrains
wilderness
The sun starting to set on the Three Sisters Wilderness area. Credit: SnowBrains

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