As the warm summer sun slowly melts the snow off Central Oregon’s most popular ski and snowboard destination, colorful mountain flowers begin to sprout, and whimsical hiking trails emerge, weaving through lava rock, mountain hemlock and lodgepole pine.
If summiting the mountain on foot is on your agenda, begin your ascent at either of the resort’s parking lots. Another popular option is riding the chairlift from West Village to Pine Marten Lodge at 7,775 feet where the whole family can enjoy breath-taking views of the Three Sisters, Broken Top and the Cascade Lakes. Continue to the 9,065-foot summit of Mt. Bachelor for panoramic views of undeveloped National Forest and pristine lakes.
Plan to have lunch at Scapolo’s on the first floor of Pine Marten Lodge, where gourmet pizzas are cooked in an open-hearth oven and fresh salads and soups are prepared daily. Tap into their impressive selection of local wines and microbrews while drinking in the spectacular surroundings.
Make sure to add a U.S. Forest Service Ranger’s educational talk into your schedule to learn about the unique flora and fauna of the Cascade Mountain Range, along with the volcanic history, geology and culture of the region.
Mt. Bachelor maintains a disc golfer’s dream course in the summer months. With 18 holes running from the Outback area to the West Village base, disc golf enthusiasts will enjoy the challenge of varied terrain in a wilderness setting. This is a Professional Disc Golf Association listed course.
One of Mt. Bachelor’s signature summer offerings is a “Sunset Dinner” on Friday’s and Saturday’s in Pine Marten Lodge. Reservations are highly recommended. Sample the Red Curry Chicken Wontons, Gulf Prawns and Cypress Grove Chevre while taking in the ethereal oranges and purples of the sunset over Broken Top. For the main course, stay local with Pacific Salmon or Idaho Trout paired with the Cooper Mountain Reserve Pinot Gris from the Willamette Valley. The perfect way to end a romantic evening is the moonlit ride down on the chairlift under the starry skies of Central Oregon.
For information visit www.mtbachelor.com or call 800.829.2442.