(Update: add video):

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Holders of a Mt. Bachelor passers lined up Friday to party on the snowy slopes for their own early chance to check out all the fresh powder during the resort’s first opening since 1998.

Long lines of happy skiers and snowboarders showed up early for a rare chance to hit the powder in mid-November, well before the typical Thanksgiving weekend goal.

NewsChannel 21’s Kelsey Merison and meteorologist Shannon Brady were on the slopes checking out conditions and reactions, and heard a lot of cheering.

General Manager John Merriman joined the crowd and toasted the Bluebird conditions:

“Our 67th opening day here at Mt. Bachelor – one of the six or seven earliest we ever had. And holy cow, couldn’t we have picked a better day? Thank you to Mother Nature!”

Some danced to the music, others just hit the lifts and the slopes. One visitor since 1967 called it the best first day coverage he had ever seen.

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Here is the resort’s mountain report Friday afternoon:

Mountain Report 11/15

3:00 PM Update:

Day one of the 2024-2025 winter season is in the books and it was a fantastic opening day with clear skies and great snow conditions. We have our sights set on tomorrow when our early opening festivities continue with a DJ in the Rock Bar and further Passholder benefits/discounts. The weather forecast calls for another clear and cold start on Saturday, with afternoon temperatures rising to the upper 20s, combined with a chance of snow showers.

9:30am update

Today is the day we’ve all been waiting for, with our early opening taking place at the earliest date since 1998, thanks to a monumental effort from our teams combined with more than 60 inches of snowfall to date. From today through Sunday, September 17, we expect Skyliner and Little Pine only for Mt. Bachelor and Ikon pass holders (including midweek and 4-day passes).

Although we did not receive any new snow overnight, we are starting this morning with a base depth of 34 inches. Early season snowpack means there are marked/unmarked obstacles. Ski and ride carefully and stay on marked/open trails. Current temperatures are in the upper teens to low 20s and are expected to remain that way throughout the day. Our weather forecast predicts mostly sunny skies, with a chance of snow showers during opening hours. The long-range forecast shows a steady influx of storm systems that could bring significant snowfall over the next week. Leave early and, as usual, expect winter driving conditions as you approach the resort this morning.

Woodward Mountain Park’s offerings this week include:
Pacific city: 7 Jibs

Be advised: Our Uphill policy is in effect through Sunday 11/17 and then returns to a full closure during weekdays until we open daily for the season on Friday 11/29.

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