Mt. Bachelor is a 9,060-foot extinct volcano in the Cascade mountain range, just twenty-three miles from the friendly town of Bend, Oregon. At Mt. Bachelor, no one will point and stare if your ski pants and jacket don't match or if you aren't using the cutting edge in ski gear. Nonetheless, the area is a substantial winter playground for Westerners and it has recently been knighted into full "resorthood." Most visitors stay in Bend because there is no lodging at the mountain. Sunriver, a mini-resort in itself, is one of the most popular lodges in the foothills of Mt. Bachelor.

Winter Activities

The snow at Mt. Bachelor is lighter and drier than other Northwestern resorts because it lies on the eastern side of the Cascades, which makes for better powder terrain. The mountain boasts a 3,100-foot vertical drop and is known for its long ski season - it lasts from November through June.

There is mostly intermediate terrain, but many families ski Mt. Bachelor because skiers of all levels have ample elbow room to learn and challenge themselves.

There are over sixty kilometers of cross-country trails for touring and horseback riding. Visitors can also take sleigh rides and balloon flights or go ice skating. The Reindeer Ranch, eighteen miles northwest of Bend, is open to visitors and has over 100 domestic reindeer.

Summer Activities

Crater Lake, the deepest lake in the U.S., is only a short drive away and offers spectacular hiking and sightseeing. Closer to the ski area, there are endless trails for mountain biking, hiking, climbing, and horseback riding, and the nearby Sisters Wilderness Area offers undisturbed camping, fishing, and backpacking. Summer events include concerts ranging from jazz to classical, held in Drake Park during good weather, and an old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration.

Mt. Bachelor attracts many singles to the area, and most congregate in Bend or Sunriver at night. The Lodge is the first place off the mountain and is a good place for grub and brew. The Deschutes Brewery has beer, ale, and dancing to appeal to college-age students. For martinis check out the Astro Lounge. Restaurants range from yuppie steak houses to old Italian places.

Transportation

Mt. Bachelor is located twenty-two miles southwest of Bend on the Cascade Lakes Highway. The closest airport is the Redmond Municipal Airport, sixteen miles north of Bend, which services Alaska Air and United Express from San Francisco and Los Angeles. United Express and Horizon Air also fly from Portland, Seattle, and Eugene. There are daily bus services from Bend, car rentals, and a shuttle service from some of the resorts. Amtrak travels to the town of Chemult, sixty miles south of Bend, from Los Angeles, Oakland/San Francisco, Redding, Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, and Eugene. It is best to arrange for a taxi ahead of time to meet you in Chemult if you need it.

A shuttle (call the resort for schedule) has staggered departures from Bend to Mt. Bachelor. There is a separate shuttle to carry guests of Sunriver to the ski area and into town as well. Employees are bused from Bend to the mountain at no charge.

Housing

Employees usually find accommodations in Bend, just twenty miles from the resort area. Check the local paper for apartments and shared housing options or contact a local realtor.

Mt. Bachelor Employment

Applications are accepted as early as August for the winter season. Hiring is done in early November.� They do not sponsor visas for international applicants.� Check the Mt. Bachelor website in October for winter season employment update.

Six hundred employees are hired for winter at Mt. Bachelor and 700 for Sunriver Lodge.

Mt. Hood Ski Jobs >>>