Mt. Bachelor is not for sale.
At least that's the word delivered to us from Powdr Corp. via Andy Goggins, Mt. B.'s Director of Marketing and Communications. However, Mt Bachelor has scheduled a community forum to discuss a local Facebook based movement that aims to wrest control of the mountain from Utah-based Powdr Corp. The "Community Buy-Out of Mt Bachelor" Facebook group is already 1,500-plus strong with members saying they are fed up with what they see as shortcomings on Bachelor's part. The group proposes making the mountain a non-profit, with the funds coming from community members.
Lift breakdowns, poor plowing, lack of locals' discounts and poor customer service are among the complaints listed on the page and heard around town.
Of the community group, Goggins says that "we’re keeping at eye on it" and hopes that next week's forum will clear up what he calls, "misinformation."
Goggins said that "we've had a rough winter," due to severe weather that has hampered lift operations and in one case prevented the mountain from opening for an entire day. He reiterated, however, that Powdr Corp. has no plans to sell.
Share your concerns and hear Mt. Bachelor's response at the open forum, hosted by Mt. B at 6pm on Wednseday, March 21 at the Riverhouse.
See the Community Buy-Out mission statement below:
The Community Buyout of Mt Bachelor has been formed to create a discussion forum and efficient communication link between the members of the Central Oregon community that would be interested in seeing Mt Bachelor become a community owned, financially viable, not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to providing a significantly better experience to local and non-local guests. By eliminating the profit motive of a corporate owner (Powdr Corporation), Mt Bachelor can be liberated to revise its operations for the benefit of its patrons and the Central Oregon community as a whole. A short list of desirable changes might include extending the snowriding season to begin earlier and end later, increasing the daily hours of operation, increasing the lift operation schedule to run ALL of the lifts that are possible, preventative lift maintenance (not disruptive "break-fix"), improving the quality of the food & beverage services, adding summer activities such as lift served downhill mountain biking, major concerts and festivals, and adding other amenities and programs that would help to make Mt Bachelor a truly extraordinary destination. The possibilities are endless. We can re-invent Mt Bachelor!!
Since the time that Powdr Corporation acquired Mt Bachelor, locals have complained about a systematic reduction and degradation of mountain operations and services, the obvious purpose of which has been to reduce expenses in order to improve profits for Powdr Corporation's owners.
If Mt Bachelor were community owned, operating priorities would strive to balance financial viability with the best interests of the season pass holders, day pass holders and the Central Oregon community. Success would be redefined from profits to STOKE!!!
Next Steps:
1. ADD MEMBERS to this group so that we can form a large and connected base of support. PLEASE INVITE YOUR CENTRAL OREGON FRIENDS TO JOIN THIS GROUP!!!!
2. ASSESS INTEREST among our community in participating in a Buyout in which a few thousand people would contribute, say $5,000 - $10,000 each, in exchange for an ownership share in the new not-for-profit version of Mt Bachelor, and a LIFETIME SEASON PASS.
3. ASSESS POWDR CORP's RECEPTIVITY TO SELLING MT BACHELOR and their required terms of sale. Note: We shouldn't underestimate the influence that several thousand current season passholders could have, if organized, upon the terms of a Buyout, or upon Powdr's willingness to sell. In effect, WE CAN PERSUADE THEM to "see things our way" because we hold significant influence over their business results. We are their customers. They NEED US and they can not succeed without us. They have had their chance to operate Mt Bachelor and they have shown us very clearly what their priorities are.
