Featured Article
Mt. Bachelor, Oregon, is more than just a destination for powder hounds and families—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.
Mt. Bachelor’s terrain parks offer something for everyone, from beginning riders learning basic skills to seasoned experts dialing in their latest tricks. The resort currently boasts multiple advanced parks, including Pacific City, Cannon Beach, and the Point (named for prominent Oregon surfing venues). Beginners can start small in the entry-level progression zones, featuring ride-on rails and smaller jumps, while advanced riders can head to larger setups with towering kickers, technical rails, and step-ups that challenge professionals and even Olympians.
Additionally, Mt. Bachelor offers weekly lessons, providing three hours of expert park coaching each session, with a new skill-building focus every week. Whether one is just entering the park or looking to sharpen skills, lessons are designed to help riders progress at their own pace in a supportive environment. Finally, after the lessons, Mt. Bachelor’s performance venue and mini superpipe are prominently displayed under the Pine Marten Express lift, offering chairlift riders an incredible vantage and riders an opportunity to hear the cheers.
The construction and evolution of Mt. Bachelor’s parks are a testament to its commitment to freestyle riding. The resort has invested in a dedicated terrain park crew that meticulously grooms and reshapes features daily to enhance safety and optimal performance. Using cutting-edge equipment and rider feedback, the team continues to innovate, regularly introducing creative setups that keep the parks fresh and exciting.
My favorite of Mt. Bachelor’s freestyle areas is the Peace Park, a collaboration with professional snowboarder Danny Davis. This iconic terrain feature blends traditional park elements with natural features and flowy transitions, encouraging riders to be creative with their lines. The unique design of Peace Park embodies the importance Mt. Bachelor puts on blending the natural beauty of its landscape with world-class freestyle terrain. The resort also knows how to make the Peace Park inviting to all by hosting events like the Party in the Peace Park (March 22, 2025).
Beyond the features themselves, Mt. Bachelor’s terrain parks host a robust calendar of events that draw top talent from around the region and beyond. Competitions showcase the skills of professional and amateur riders, offering jaw-dropping tricks and high-energy vibes for spectators. In another vein, the springtime Big Wave Challenge (April 4-6, 2025) is a snowboarding contest held on a custom-built course with wave-like features, blending snow and surf elements, where riders are judged on speed, power, flow, and overall performance.
Mt. Bachelor’s terrain parks are places where creativity and progression thrive.
