Shiny & New | The Source Weekly - Bend, Oregon

Shiny & New

Mt. Bachelor gets a facelift

Although it's still early fall and Mt. Bachelor is bare, the opening day of ski season is set for Wednesday, Nov. 25, according to Spencer Weimar, marketing director for Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort.

During its 58th season, the resort will host new and classic annual events. Weimar says the first event of the season will be the Dirksen Derby.

"Tyler Eklund is still going strong and so is the Dirksen Derby snowboard rally race," says Weimer.

The competition is in its ninth year and Patagonia Snowboarding Ambassador Josh Dirksen has raised approximately 30 thousand dollars for Eklund—a snowboarder who was paralyzed after competing in the USASA Nationals at the age of 14. The Derby will be held this year on December 11-13. Last year, the event sold out, so competitors are encouraged to purchase Derby passes early.

New for 2015-2016 is the Hella Big Air Competition, to be held on Jan. 17, 2016.

"This event is a best-trick competition resurrected from the good old days at Mt. Bachelor," Weimer explains.

Mt. Bachelor also underwent renovations and received a few upgrades during the off-season. The Northwest Express lift will be up-and-running after it was shut down last season thanks to its new, custom-made 1,000 horsepower motor.

"The Mountain Rippers facility, located in West Village Lodge, has been expanded and remodeled to give parents and their children in Gravity School a much improved experience," adds Weimar. The school focuses on skills and snowboard lessons for children 3 and a half to 5 years old.

Pinnacles, the coffee shop at Pine Marten Lodge, has also undergone renovations and is now offering specialty waffles as part of its new menu, Weimer says.

Mount Bachelor also offers ski lessons for all ages and if you'd rather skip the slopes, check out their sled-dog rides or snow-tubing park.

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