With an insane start to the season storms out west to not try out some of the West Coast Resorts.
Since I am a broke college student, camping was the only way I could afford to be a snowboard bum for 6 days straight. Before I get into the magical “dad lore” that was created on this side quest, here are some tips I have for this trip.
Top Tips for Winter Camping Near Mt. Bachelor
- Camp in a “Sno Campground”: There are two affordable campgrounds 15 minutes from the resort. Purchase a permit for these campgrounds online or at REI. Much cheaper than camping at the spots on the resort. These spots are also plowed year around so you won’t have to worry about getting snowed in.
- Prepare for wind, rain, slush, and fog. The resort got about 10 inches of snow per night; the coastal snowpack is no joke. Every morning, I would have a heavy layer of snow, ice, or water on my tent from the variable weather conditions. The temperatures can vary drastically so prepare for everything.
- Check out both resorts: The small local resort is called Hoodoo mountain. This mountain is so different from Mt. Bachelor that you have to experience it for yourself. Cheap day tickets make it more affordable if you are wanting to switch it up.
- Four-Wheel Drive is a Necessity: Don’t go up to Mt. Bachelor if you are in a Honda Civic. Due to the variable conditions, the roads can be icy, slushy, or filled with 5 inches of water. Bring your four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive vehicle and leave the Prius at home.
Not Your Average New Years Eve
Like most teenagers on New Year’s Eve, I started the day by driving to a town where I knew almost no one. Once I got to Bend, Oregon, I started planning my night. I learned that a local resort called “Hoodoo” was having a pretty awesome New Year’s Eve fireworks show. I drove from Bend, Oregon to Sisters, Oregon, where Hoodoo is located. I bought a night pass for around $50 and snowboarded for 4 hours. Some of the locals were showing me around the mountain, and I was having a blast. The fireworks show started, and we watched them straight from the snow. There was live music and lots of funny people so it was a party. After I was done partying it up in Sisters, I drove to a Sno Park that was conveniently ten minutes from the base of the mountain. This Sno Park had a large variety of people. Ski bums, snowmobilers and dog sledders lived in harmony. I met a really nice lady that had been running her dog sled all day. I somehow convinced her to let me take her dogsled out for a little bit which was a miracle. That was the highlight of my New Years Eve. I read some books in my rooftop tent and went to bed.
The next few days were nothing short of epic. There was lots of powder, lots of new friends, and lots of long days on the mountain. What I truly love about Mt. Bachelor is the people. The people I met were super nice and willing to take me on the best runs possible. I knew at some point I had to return the favor to the locals.
Giving Back to the Community (sort of)
This moment came when I saw many motorhomes stuck in the Mt. Bachelor parking lot. As a teenager with a truck, I felt the obligation to offer to pull them out. My truck is small, but that thing will get the job done. I also met another guy who was also named Scott, a very cool guy. Scott and I got to work pulling these campers out. We put traction boards under the tires of the trailer and the truck, and then we yanked as hard as we could. Traction boards are a lifesaver with 4-wheel drive, a must-buy for anyone serious about winter travel. Scott and I worked away at shoveling out these massive motorhomes. After pulling out vehicles for about four hours, we had collected lots of payment for our hard work in cash and random items. While pulling out these large vehicles I got to know Scott really well. Scott ended up inviting me to his campsite so I could park my truck right next to the resort. This was a blast, and I’m super grateful for this experience.
The next morning, I woke up to about 6 inches of ice frozen over everything I owned. This was my sign that I needed to pack up and go home. After 6 nights of peace and quiet while camping solo near Mt. Bachelor, I felt recharged and ready to start my journey back. A little side quest that I ended up doing on the way home was taking this random homeless man out to lunch. I had a boring day of driving and wanted to spice it up a little bit. The homeless man proceeded to tell me that my eyes have lasers in them and that we are all going to die in 2026 so that was awesome. As always thankyou for reading my blog, if you want to tag along on my next trip shoot me an email or message me on Instagram.
Happy Travels, Send it Big!
