Mt. Bachelor will once again limit operations Tuesday due to high winds and excessive snowfall.
The ski area announced on its website it will not run front side and West side lifts “due to safety concerns for staff and guests.”
More than 30″ of snow has fallen in the last 24 hours and another 16 to 22 inches is expected on Tuesday with wind gusts as high as 30 mph.
“Tree well danger is extreme, and visibility will be poor due to continuing snow and wind, so please make safe choices when navigating the mountain,” the mountain said. “Today is a MANDATORY ski and ride with a buddy; always stay within visual and auditory contact, find regrouping points each run to stop, and check-in with one another.”
An experienced mountaineer died while skiing at Mt. Bachelor over the weekend after falling into a tree well where he was found unresponsive.
“Before getting on the trails, be sure you have a fully charged cell phone and plug the Ski Patrol emergency number in your cell (541-693-0911),” the website said. “Due to deep snow and tree well danger, we highly recommend NOT skiing off-trail and in the woods today. MANDATORY high clearance vehicles, or you WILL get stuck. ODOT has plowed the road, but narrowing lanes is likely due to winds drifting and expect low visibility at times.”
Meanwhile, the massive snowfall in the Cascades Monday has piled up in area sno-parks, leading the Deschutes National Forest to ask people to avoid them until they are plowed.
⚠⚠⚠ CAUTION: Snopark parking lots along Cascade Lakes Highway are under multiple feet of snow this morning. Please avoid trying to enter these facilities until they have been plowed. pic.twitter.com/r2ERAdnvqp
— Deschutes National Forest (@DesNatlForest) January 4, 2022
Elsewhere in the Cascades, Mt. Hood Meadows and Timberline announced they were closed Tuesday because Highway 26 was closed to through traffic.
Both resorts expected to reopen on Wednesday.
Yesterday, our deputy captured this dramatic reminder to use extra caution on the mountain passes. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries.
Chain up as needed and slow down while we ride out this bout of winter weather….
(1/2) pic.twitter.com/jFrTJG4Twn
— Clackamas Sheriff (@ClackCoSheriff) January 4, 2022
