Alex Moeller, 27, of Portland floats a mute air on his snowboard out of the halfpipe at Mount Bachelor last March. The mountain near Bend is home to the fifth-largest snow resort in North America. Photo courtesy of The Bend Bulletin

As he promptly departed from the frozen chairlift and bent over to strap on his second binding, Ethan Ottemiller found himself pondering the thought of what his first run of the season could behold.

The snow halted, the wind slowed to a faint whisper and the timing could not have been more perfect. Ethan, 17, pulled his gloves tight, readjusted his goggles, zipped up his jacket and pushed off for his first trip down Mount Bachelor since last winter.

“It’s definitely my favorite vacation that I look forward to all year,” Ethan said.

The trip to Mount Bachelor Resort is an annual winter tradition for the Ottemiller family of North Bend: parents Dennis and Susan and their two children, Zoe, 13, and Ethan.

They were among many skiers, snowboarders and snow-lovers in general who have found a sanctuary in Mount Bachelor this winter.

“It’s a big mountain with a lot to offer for everyone,” said Ethan. “There’s always something for us to do.”

The resort, located near Bend, features four terrain parks, more than 34 miles of groomed and tracked cross county trails, snowshoeing, tubing and dog sled rides. With 3,683 acres accessible by lifts, the mountain accommodates seven express quads, three triple chairlifts, two tubing lifts and a wonder carpet.

For Dennis, Zoe and Ethan, snowboarding is the activity of choice, while Susan prefers to hit the slopes with her skis. Though sometimes the harsh blizzard weather keeps him off the slopes for a couple hours, Ethan loves the fresh powder the blizzards leave behind.

Mount Bachelor Resort, the fifth-largest snow resort in North America, opened for the 2007-08 season on Nov. 22, just nine days before one the resort’s many events, the Dirksen Derby, an all-board charity obstacle race.

“We are working 24 hours per day to put out the best mountain product possible,” said resort general manager Matt Janney.

Mount Bachelor also will host the 11th-annual USAT Winter Triathlon National Championship on Feb. 9. The event will draw some of the top athletes from around the country to compete in a triathlon that consists of running, mountain biking and cross-country skiing, and all performed on snow. The top finishers will qualify to race in the world championships on Feb. 22 in Freudenstadt, Germany.

Each year when the Ottemillers return to the resort, they find comfort in Sunriver, one of the many surrounding communities within a short distance of the mountain. And for those who prefer to enjoy the comfort of the mountain while reading a good book and sipping a cup of hot cocoa, the resort offers many cozy lodges: West Village, Sunrise and Pine Marten, as well as the Nordic Center, each with a variety of restaurants and cafes.  

With an average annual snow base between 150 and 200 inches, Mount Bachelor proves to be an attractive vacation spot for all those looking for a relaxing, snow-covered oasis this winter.

Though Ethan will be graduating this spring and will no longer be living at home next year, he and his family still have every intention of going back to Mount Bachelor for another entertaining week.

Winter daily lift ticket prices are as follows: $56 for adults, $47 for teens, $34 for youths and $48 for seniors, while children under 6 and seniors over 70 ski for free. Those interested in purchasing a hiking or tubing ticket must pay a $10 fee. Prices vary for all tickets during the peak season.

More information is available online at http://www.mtbachelor.com/winter/index.html, or by calling (541) 382-7888.