tbholle

I am moving from Portland in three weeks and trying to fit in some last minute trips and I have two free lift tickets to either Crystal Mountain or Mt Bachelor. In the year I have been here I have yet to go to Bend, which I hear is really cool. I haven't been to Canada either, which is something I just want to do while out here. I have decided to go to Vancouver, BC for a night and wondering if I should hit Crystal on the way back and not go to bend, or skip Crystal and take another trip to Bend and ride Bachelor. Any suggestions? I know the snow is pretty bad everywhere right now, but Im moving back to Georgia() and so will be far away from snow for a while. Im throwing in a few more days at Meadows since they are already paid for, but wandering if the trip to Bend is worth a few hundred bucks? (gas/lodging/etc)

redlude97

crystal>>>>flatchelor

tbholle

noted. thanks

SBK

IMO Bachelor is better and it isn't even close.

Crystal gets more snow but it tends to be wetter. It has steeper terrain but it gets crowded when it does get snow and tracked out very fast. Also Crystal is a skiers mountian, not much of a park (if you are in to that) and lots of flats in between the steeper sections on the groomed runs.

Bachelor has more terrain, there is a ton of steep stuff off the back side of the summit, long runs and they do a better job of grooming than Crystal IMO.

If you like cruising groomers Bachelor is awesome and if there is a dump you can find stashes usually a lot longer.

Bend is great IMO. I try to get down there at least once a year from Seattle, either boarding at Bachelor or climbing at Smith Rocks. There are several breweries and great restaurants in the old downtown area. There is also plenty to do outside of boarding.