Industry News
After nearly eight months of speculation and anticipation, POWDR Corp. announced on Friday, April 4, that it will no longer pursue the sale of Mt. Bachelor. The company, which has owned the Central Oregon resort since 2001, stated that it had evaluated all factors involved and ultimately decided to retain ownership “indefinitely.”
“There are numerous factors involved in evaluating a sale,” POWDR said in its statement. “After considering all facts and circumstances, POWDR has decided to retain ownership of Mt. Bachelor, indefinitely. We’re excited to continue our stewardship of the resort and serve the Central Oregon community with truly one-of-a-kind skiing.”
POWDR originally announced in August 2024 that it intended to sell Mt. Bachelor along with several other properties. At the time, the move was described as part of a broader strategic shift to focus on different ventures. The announcement spurred widespread speculation about who might take over the popular ski area, with many expecting one of the industry giants, such as Alterra Mountain Company or Vail Resorts, to step in.
Amid the uncertainty, a locally driven effort emerged under the name Mt. Bachelor Community Inc. (MBCI) to return ownership of the mountain to the local community. The campaign quickly gained national attention, raising capital and pledging a vision centered around accessibility and local stewardship. Despite their momentum and backing—including a major investor reportedly ready to commit $75 million—the group revealed last month that the official bidding window had closed before they could submit a formal offer.
Although the sale will no longer move forward, the local group sees the decision as a potential opportunity to foster a new kind of relationship with POWDR. MBCI hopes to open up a dialogue with POWDR to see if there’s any kind of partnership opportunity that could evolve from that down the road, including ongoing efforts to explore community ownership or partnership in the future.
In addition to confirming its continued ownership, POWDR also announced a series of planned improvements at Mt. Bachelor. These include upgrading the resort’s power capabilities, finalizing construction of its new Advanced Wood Energy facility, and launching a new “Kids Ski Free” program. The program will allow any dependent child 12 and under to ski for free when added to an adult unlimited or Outplay regular winter season pass.
President and General Manager of Mt. Bachelor, John Merriman, told Central Oregon Daily that he was optimistic about the news. “This is positive news for Mt. Bachelor and we’re looking forward to our continued journey with POWDR at the helm,” Merriman said. “I want to extend a thank you to the amazing team at Mt. Bachelor for their patience, positive attitude, and commitment to making this one of the best seasons yet.”
While some in the community may have hoped for local ownership, the announcement has brought a sense of closure and optimism. With new investments on the horizon and the resort remaining under a familiar operator, many are hopeful that Mt. Bachelor will continue to thrive and evolve with the needs of the Central Oregon community.
