Mount Bachelor

The trails in The Cirque are considered the most challenging, are difficult to get to (hiking required), steep, difficult to get out of, and susceptible to the weather. The glades around the Outback Express quad and the black diamond trails on the new Northwest Express quad are best for advanced and expert skiers. The un-named chutes to the west of Northwest Express are tight and deep, and all lead into thick trees. If powder’s your thing, the back of the mountain (accessed only from the New Summit Express quad) keeps powder the longest, but is rarely open. The trees and glades around the Red Chair boast steep but short lines.

On a fresh powder day, park at the base of the Skyliner Express quad before Mount Bachelor opens, and get in line with the locals who will be waiting. Use the green Summit Crossover trail to warm up your legs, then ride the New Summit Express quad to the peak. Conditions vary so you must be on your game and alert. Shoulder your gear and hike 15 minutes to the peak above The Cirque. Dropping straight down Chute 1, snow flying into your mouth as you gasp for breath, avoid smashing into The Pinnacles on your left. Once clear of The Pinnacles, keep cutting to your left to join into Chutes 2, 3, and 4. Just below Pine Marten Lodge run the tight trees around Tippy Toe. Although by now many will be on the hill, Tippy Toe will be relatively untracked. End at the base of Pine Marten Express quad ready for more.

Skiing from the summit down to the base of Northwest Express quad also provides varied and changing conditions on a 1.5-mile (2.5 km) trail. There is no out of bounds skiing allowed at Mount Bachelor. Except for crowded areas, jumping and fast skiing is allowed if in control.