Located inland roughly 120 miles from the Pacific coast, Mt Bachelor is one of Oregon’s snowboarding hot spots. Being a dormant Volcano (don’t worry it last erupted 8000 years ago) Mt Bachelor’s has a unique conical shape that allows the mountain to be ridden on all sides and also makes for 1000+ meters of vertical drop, one of the largest in the North West. If it’s the local scene you want to enjoy, Mt Bachelor has one of the most varied and progressive events calendars in the US including the now famous Snowboarder Magazine’s Superpark series. On the hill, Mt Bachelor is home to no fewer than five terrain parks and of course acres and acres of backcountry terrain loaded with an average annual snowfall of 370 inches (9.4 meters for Euro readers). It’s not surprising that Cartel rider Justin Norman chooses ‘Bachy’ as his home resort, Amplid caught-up with J-Norm to get his Local Low Down.
WHAT IS YOUR LOCAL RESORT?
Mt. Bachelor (aka: Bachy) – mtbachelor.com
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN RIDING THERE?
Ten years!
WHY DOES THE RESORT HALD A SPECIAL PLACE IN YOUR HEART?
This place holds a special place in my heart because it was the first step in my progression as a sponsored athlete. Started at Willamette Pass (aka: Willy P)
I linked up with the NC Productions crew and learned that snowboarding was much cooler than I ever imagined. In my mind, it was such a step-up to ride with people that pushed me to progress in the park and take the time to ride powder for Nirvana. I like that this resort destination is only 20 minutes from Bend, OR and captures so many of the hearts of the locals.
HOW MANY DAYS A YEAR DO YOU RIDE THERE?
I usually end up hiking a bunch pre-season and post-season, so roughly a hundred days or so. Bachy is doing a summer camp as well, which will allow campers and Mt Bachelor Ski Education Foundation to ride while others don’t have the same opportunity.
WHEN DOES THE SEASON RUN FROM – TO?
Thanksgiving weekend (Roughly Nov.24th- May 24th) till almost June 1st!
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO GO?
Best time to go is around January when the snow comes nightly and the following days are often bluebird. Honestly, any time is good to come here! Mt. Bachelor offers a deal on Spring passes going for around $150 if you like park riding on a wide variety of features. The terrain park offers so many options and possibilities! Can’t wait to see what they have to offer this coming season…
ANY BUSY HOLIDAY TIMES TO AVOID?
Winter Break is hectic as well as Spring Break, but overall, they do really well offering a bunch of lift access to take advantage of, and the crowds die down in the afternoon. It’s always nice to get up there and get festive whether it’s with a peppermint patty or margarita from one of the various bars.
WHAT IS SO SPECIAL ABOUT MT. BACHELOR?
The resort is so special because of the pow days in my eyes! Cornices and wind lips build up like you can never image. Jerry Lopez breaks it down really well in an interview Pete Alport composed, check it out.
TELL US ABOUT THE PARK? WHO RUNS IT? WHAT FEATURES/OBSTACLES ARE THERE? WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE FEATURES? IS IT WELL MAINTAINED?
The park is long! So many features ranging from beginner boxes to intermediate rails and wallrides to advanced jumps and special setups – video here. My favorite features are the advanced rails and jumps. The park is well maintained most of the time and is always changing.
ANY SPECIAL BACKCOUNTRY SPOTS?
The joy of being at Mt. Bachelor is that the outward view is 360 degrees from the summit and the Three Sisters and Broken Top just look right back at you. So, if you have a sled, the access is attainable to the base of them or almost anywhere out at Palina or Tam McCarther Rim.
WHAT IS THE LOCAL SCENE LIKE? LOTS OF PARK RATS? SERIOUS FREERIDE SCENE?
The local park scene isn’t too much like it used to be when the park was inhabited daily by public figures such as Allister Shultz, Austin Smith, Curtis Ciszek, Adam Fous, and Tyler Scharf (NC Productions crew). Nowadays, it’s up to MBSEF groms, local up-and-comers, and some of my good friends to hold it down. The freeride scene is pretty good, but not as nasty as it used to seem. I guess I really liked how much the “scene” used to be because the style was so cool and many pro/am riders really embellished the feel in the park and backcountry by throwing down in the park and building kickers in the backcountry.
ARE THERE ANY GOOD EVENTS, COMPETITIONS OR PARTIES THAT HAPPEN AT MT BACHELOR?
Last year Mt. Bachelor really stepped it up by making a fun series of events called the Sunday Series as well as supporting a wide variety of other events such as the Dirkson Derby, the Kinko de Mayo rail jam, and the Big Wave challenge. They also held awesome parties on Fridays in the spring called “Pine Parties”, they would stay open ’til 7 pm at night running the main lift Pine Martin and allowing us to kick a few beverages back while riding! Thanks Bachy : )
ARE THERE ANY GOOD NIGHTCLUBS, BARS, PUBS OR RESTAURANTS THAT PEEPS SHOULD CHECK-OUT?
As far as the night scene goes, I would suggest checking out music at Silver Moon Brewery and McMenamins. Try Velvet, Astro Lounge, and the D&D for good spirits! Deschutes Brewery, Cascade Lakes Brewery, and 10 Barrel Brewing Companies worth a visit for deliciously hand crafted beers. For food, I would have to suggest going to Kanpai for happy hour sushi 4:00-5:30 daily, Dandy’s Drive-in for the best burger in Bend, and Bend Brewing Company for a great all-round food and beer location.
WHAT ARE THE LOCAL GIRLS LIKE?
Well, there is Oregon State University Cascades and Central Oregon Community College, so I can only voice that this brings many young women from all over the surrounding states. They look great Spring/Fall term when wearing summer dresses and bikinis is a must. I have a beautiful girlfriend here, and damn, she looks amazing in the sun!
ARE THERE ANY LOCAL AMPLID DEALERS?
Currently there are not any Amplid dealers here in Bend, OR. I’m hoping to see that change when the economy starts looking up and Amplid is more well known in the USA.
THANKS FOR YOUR TIME JUSTIN!