Spring Done Right: Mt. Bachelor

And the snow keeps falling. April or not, Mt. Bachelor still has a lot of winter in store, but that doesn’t mean the spring party isn’t happening. It just means the spring party, or Springtacular as Mt. Bachelor calls it, will be even better.

One quick look at Mt. Bachelor’s spring events line-up proves that.

Here’s a list of my personal favorite upcoming events to not miss out on at Mt. Bachelor (Listed chronologically)

All of the details for these listings can be found on Mt. Bachelor’s events calendar.

 Charity Ski Weeks: April 4th-April 8th

This is an annual favorite for deal hounds.

Mt. Bachelor provides vouchers through participating nonprofits that can be redeemed during the Charity Ski Week for just $25. All proceeds from Mt. Bachelor go directly to these nonprofits. In 2010, Mt. Bachelor and local charities raised $95,000.

Get in on the last couple days of cheap riding and benefit local nonprofits.

Pine Parties: Fridays - April 8th, 15th, & 22nd

Spring is the one time of year that Mt. Bachelor has night skiing. Sort of.

On Fridays throughout April, Mt. Bachelor will keep the Pine Marten Chair open until 7pm. That’s three extra hours of riding lit by the setting sun. A lift ticket good from 3 pm to 7 pm can be had for just $20.

To add to the bonus shred time, there will be new live band every week, and Deschutes Brewery will be on hand to provide the refreshments. Be advised, there are no buses down from the mountain during the evening hours, so don’t get too carried away on the Red Chair NWPA.

The BIG Air: April 9th

BIG air and big money. What more do I have to say?

Riders will be going big and throwing down massive tricks. Oh, and there will be $5,000 in cash and prizes. Word on the street is, the event will run from 2:30 pm till 5:00 pm.

Full Sail and the Powder House will be sponsoring and expect live music and a DJ. Microbrews and music are crucial to anything spring!

Even if you don’t have the guts to hit the 70-foot table yourself, you might as well grab a beer and enjoy living out your childhood fantasies through somebody else’s fragile body.

Retro Race: April 17th

Throwback with your fanny pack and shred some gates. I love ski racing, and I love wearing GNARsty '80s clothing.

This is the last race in the Suds Cup Race Series presented by Cascade Lakes Brewing Company. Don’t miss out.

Make a team of 4-8, toss the entry fee down like it don’t mean nothing, and show off your '80s side-by-side race skills on the Nastar Giant Slalom course.

My dad would proud of all of you. This was his life in ‘82.

Easter Egg and Easter Keg Hunt: April 24th

Sacrilegious? Yes. Great Idea? Yes.

I will be in church, but if you’re going to be at mountain church anyway, you might as well forget the true meaning of Easter with a mountain-wide keg scavenger hunt.

Deschutes Brewery will be posting hints on Facebook five days prior to the hunt, so make sure you follow their feed if you want to find the giant silver egg and drink of it’s yoke.

Big Wave Challenge and Gerry Lopez Luau: April 30th

Mt. Bachelor has no details on their site yet, but maybe I can get some insider details if I work my magic... Stay tuned.

I do know that Coors Light will be sponsoring, and anything that mixes Coors Light with waves and a luau can’t go wrong.

Despite the fact that I don’t even know what this event is yet, It wins Best Upcoming Event on my list!

Skimming Competition and Mt. Bachelor Closing Day: May 29

As last year proved, even if the pond skim doesn’t happen, and the Skyliner parking lot gets closed, Mt. Bachelor faithful will still make sure to end the season right.

Easily the best party of the year at Mt. Bachelor guaranteed (by me)... every year, every closing day.

The dates are tentative, but make sure you are at Bachelor to take the last run of the season. Who knows? PBR Man might even be there again.

So, there you have it. This is my list of the 7 best things to do at Mt. Bachelor with your spring of riding. Remember to check their site for all the details.

Enjoy spring.

-- Eli

Here’s a new video via Mt. Bachelor's YouTube Channel to keep you entertained.