Skiing On a Giant Volcano

Mt. Bachelor is one mountain in central Oregon that really stands out on the horizon. And, although it hasn't erupted for the past six or eight thousand years, Mt. Bachelor is actually an active, cone-shaped volcano.

This combination of being both mountain and volcano makes Mt. Bachelor a rather unique vacation destination. In the summer, children and adults can enjoy the geographic wonders of the area on cave, volcano and desert GPS tours.

In the winter, the mountain also hosts thousands of skiers. There are thirteen lifts climbing the slopes in all. Seven of them are high-speed quads and three are triple lifts. There are also two tubing lifts and one easy-to-use magic carpet lift for children and beginners.

Just like the lifts, the terrain on the mountain is varied enough to satisfy experts as well as beginners. The dry snow, which is characteristic of Mt. Bachelor, is the most important ingredient for good skiing vacations though.

When vacationers research the accommodations in the area, they naturally look for a place that is as close to the mountain as possible. After all, Skiing is an expensive sport and most people want to get a lot of use in on their passes.

Unfortunately, there is no lodging on Mt. Bachelor itself, but there are several different village resorts close by and one of them provides free shuttle service directly to the ski slopes.

For the price of luxury living, guests will surely find everything they need in the clustered shops, restaurants and houses of the Mt. Bachelor village resorts. Picturesque architecture, the natural beauty of mountains and forests and the relaxed environment of a vacation destination all combine to attract new visitors and welcome back seasonal regulars.

Although everything at the resorts is relatively close together, different areas within the resorts do provide their own unique atmosphere. For example, a cul-de-sac neighborhood of houses will probably feel more private and secluded than hotel-style suites that surround a larger, central lodge.

Room size, furnishings and location will also affect the kind of stay you enjoy in the Mt. Bachelor area so research the options thoroughly. Every resort is equipped with heated pools, hot tubs and spas just to keep up with the competition.

No matter where you stay, you can enjoy a lot of different attractions around Mt. Bachelor. Some visitors spend their time biking, hiking, golfing, climbing and horseback riding but fishing and white water rafting are also close by too on the Deschutes River. It will probably be pretty easy to fill your time.