The clock is ticking, guys. It’s just a matter of weeks until Mt. Bachelor opens for another winter season, and it’s going to be AWESOME!

The newly-unveiled trail map for Mt. Bachelor. Go here for a full-sized version.

Today they released their brand new Mt. Bachelor trail map and an exclusive 96-hour lift ticket sale that goes from noon on Thursday, Nov. 17 though noon on Monday, Nov. 21. There’s also a brand new chairlift under construction that’ll be complete sometime in December.

Besides scoring discounted lift tickets and having the new trail map tattooed across your chest, what should you be doing to get ready for winter fun in Bend? Here’s the inside scoop!

Gearing up for a grownup getaway

Planning an adults-only winter vacation in Bend? Here are a few things you can do right now to make sure you’re ready for Mt. Bachelor’s opening day, along with all kinds of other winter recreation opportunities:

• • Get pumped up. Whether you’re a skier, an ice skater, or a competitive bobsledder, we want everyone to stay safe when playing in the snow this year. Now’s a good time to work some of those key muscle group like legs and core. Squats and hamstring stretches are a great place to start to ensure your legs are up to the task of transporting your body over slippery terrain. Go here for some pre-season workout ideas.
  • Tune it up. Since you have a little time to kill, it’s a great opportunity to prepare your gear for the season. Get your skis or board waxed (or find a local professional to do it for you). Dig through your garage for those missing poles and spend some time walking around the living room in your ski boots so your feet don’t scream in protest the first time you hit the slopes.
    

    Who’s ready to carve some turns?

  • Cyberstalk the mountain. If you have a little flexibility in your schedule, it’s a smart idea to bookmark the Bachelor conditions report on your desktop or mobile device. You’ll see daily details about trail conditions and lift schedules, along with webcam images that update every 15 minutes. When conditions look perfect, hop in your car and go!
  • Repair, reuse. While getting new gear can be fun, it’s kinder for the environment (not to mention your wallet) to repair the gear you already have. With a few weeks to go before winter sports season, now’s a good time to get that jacket patched and your busted goggles fixed. Same deal with sleds, which often get chucked in the landfill when they’re a little banged up. Start your season right by paying a little extra for high-quality gear that’s less prone to breakage. If your sled does sustain an injury, look into repairing it before you toss it (and whatever you do, please, PLEASE don’t stuff busted sleds in the garbage bins at Sno-Parks—it’s crazy expensive to have that trash hauled away at the end of a holiday weekend). For more tips on being kind to the environment and the Bend community when you visit, check out our Visit Like a Local
  • Prepare your tummy for goodness. In a matter of days, you’ll be able to cap off a day of skiing with a Nacho Mountain and a Bloody Mary in the Clearing Rock Bar at Mt. Bachelor. Start salivating now.

The Bloody Marys at Mt. Bachelor are legendary.

• Nail down a place to stay. While winter is a quieter time to visit Bend than, say, mid-August, lodging can still book up fast on weekends and peak holiday dates. Whether you’re looking for a budget hotel or for a Bend vacation home to share with a big pack of pals, book nice and early to ensure you have the optimum spot to rest your bones.
• Double check the safety gear. If you’re a back-country skiing enthusiast, you already know it’s crucial to have your safety tools in tip-top shape. Get out your beacon, probe, shovel, and other safety gear and inspect it with a fine-toothed comb to make sure everything is in good working order. For tips on back-country skiing around Bend, go here.
• Plan your downtime activities wisely. As much as you might dream of eating powder for breakfast, lunch, and dinner when you’re in Bend, you want to sprinkle in a few non-snow activities, too. If the Bend Ale Trail is on your wish list, make plans beforehand to have the Bend Brew Bus haul you around so there’s no risk of driving while impaired. If you’re a foodie who wants to experience the best of Bend’s culinary scene, peruse our dining pages or skim the drinking and dining category on this blog for ideas. Then make reservations so you won’t miss out on any of your top spots.

Prep for your family-friendly winter adventure

While many of the tips above apply to traveling parties of all sizes, there’s an extra layer of planning when you’re vacationing with kids.

I just spent the weekend helping my stepkids purge ill-fitting snow gear from their closets, so I know what a pain it can be to get everyone ready for winter with no missing mittens. Here’s where to start if you’re gearing up for a family vacation this winter.

• • Try on all the gear. Yes, your kids will think it’s silly to pull on snow pants when it’s 65-degrees and sunny outside, but now’s the time to figure out what you’ve got to work with. Have the youngsters try on everything—jackets, snow pants, gloves, thermal underwear, hats, boots, wool socks, and hats. Look for rips, tears, or things they’ve outgrown, and get those items replaced or repaired so you don’t figure out someone’s boots are too small two miles into a snowshoe trip. BONUS: Places like Costco still have a good selection of quality winter gear right now, but that won’t be the case in a few weeks when everything’s been picked over.
    

    Is your family’s winter gear ready for everything from snowshoeing to tubing at Mt. Bachelor?

  • Wash everything. All those hats and gloves I mentioned? They’re carrying some serious stank after sitting in the closet all summer. Get everything washed and ready to wear. You’ll thank me in a few weeks when you’re not doing loads of laundry at 2 a.m. the night before your Bend vacation.
  • Stockpile necessities. Treats are crucial when you’re traveling with kids, so make sure you have goodies on hand like granola bars and fruit leather. Stock up on post-snow sustenance like cocoa and cider packets or easy-to-mix chai. My stepkids are nuts about Trader Joes’ seasonal spiced cider, so we buy bottles in bulk and keep them on hand to warm up after a day of snow play.
  • Buy snow chains. Most folks visiting Bend from less snowy areas don’t have snow tires the way locals do, so it’s smart to have a set of chains in your car and the ability to put them on. Trust me: it’s a lot easier to learn to put chains on your car in the comfort of your garage than it is when you’re face-down in a snowbank on the side of the highway. I’m a big fan of Les Schwab, where they’ll not only tell you what sort of chains your vehicle needs, they’ll show you in an idiot-friendly fashion how to put them on.

Book early to make sure you don’t miss out on snow-play with Wanderlust Tours.

• Plan early for tours and special adventures. Last year my whole extended family visited Mt. Bachelor the day after Christmas to enjoy the Snowblast Tubing Park. While we were there, we watched the sled dog teams from Oregon Trail of Dreams and called to inquire about booking. The person who answered was kind enough not to laugh, but she did point out that the two weeks around Christmas had been booked solid for months. Lesson learned! I won’t make that mistake twice, whether I’m planning a snowshoe adventure with Wanderlust Tours or booking a snowmobiling tour. Book early at peak times so you don’t end up missing out!
• Read up on deals and discounts. There are oodles of great promotions out there for families on a budget. Besides the 96-hour lift ticket sale I mentioned earlier, there’s the popular Kids Ski Free option and the Ski or Ride in 5 program for lessons. Off the snow, you’ll find several local restaurants with special deals for families. Both 900 Wall and Fire in Bend have kids-eat-free deals on Sundays, and Longboard Louie’s does it all weekend (that’s assuming you pay for adult meals, too). If you plan to do some ice skating at The Pavillion, buy a punch pass or season pass to save a bundle for the whole fam.