As soon as I got off the chair I strapped in and was off on the solo shred line down the front side of the Summit run. With a totally untouched line top to bottom, I slayed the pow. Simply the best run of the year!

     With a unusually large storm pattern that keeps running into Mt Bachelor, we are looking to receive another 2-4 feet of snow in the next couple days. So don’t miss your opportunity to get your best run of the year and head up to Mt Bachelor over the next couple days and shred!

     Skjersaa’s Sports Shop, established in 1958, has all the best and hottest ski and snowboard gear and apparel at the best prices around. The first thing you’ll notice about Skjersaa’s is the unique building. And upon entering the Chalet Style building you will find a roaring fire place that just makes you feel at home. The best customer service in the business will assist you in finding everything from a new snowboard, bindings, pants, helmets and anything else you can think of. As well as a full tune and repair shop, you can rent or demo what you need if you haven’t decided what to get or your just visiting for the weekend.

     Also Skjersaa’s is a proud sponsor of Mt. Bachelor and is known for putting on some of the best rail jams around the town of Bend. So if your looking for a friendly atmosphere to check out some gear on your way to Mt. Bachelor then stop into Skjersaa’s and find what you need.

     So don’t be out of the lo0p and miss all the action. This is only the first of many events and competitions at Mt Bachelor for the 09-10 season. I will try to keep you up to date on many things at Mt Bachelor over the season, but for the most accurate and complete information, check out www.mtbachelor.com.

     So come on out to the Ice Rink at the 7th Mtn resort and get you disco skate groove on. Just head out on Century drive towards Mt Bachelor, only 7 miles outside of Bend. You may also enjoy the Bar and Lounge next to the ice rink to warm up with some great food and drink specials.

     As we wish for more snow, get out there now and get some turns before the crowds come back. And if you don’t have a season pass, then check out www.mtbachelor.comfor details on all the current and upcoming events and discounted ticket prices.

     So If your looking to get some days on Mt Bachelor and you are a resident or a second home owner that frequents the area. Then a season pass might be a great deal for you, especially since Mt Bachelor has recently extended its preseason pass prices through Friday Oct 9. Even if you planning a short trip for the winter already, there are some multi day passes at awesome prices. And for those of you who just plane miss the early season deals, Mt Bachelor is also doing a kind of sliding scale day pass pricing depending of weather and open lifts.

     The season at Mt Bachelor usually begins around Thanksgiving weekend and goes through the end of May. So with almost 7 months of skiing and snowboarding you have plenty of opportunity to catch some great days on the mountain. Offering all types of terrain that will keep any level rider looking forward to that next epic run. Start over on the West Village side of the mountain where the main lodge is located for some green terrain for the kids and the best bar on the mountain for the adults. Or cruise to the top of the mountain up the Summit lift for and epic view and some steeper terrain. The North West side of the resort for the best powder and tree runs with all kinds of wind lips and drops for the advanced rider. If you have the family with you and your looking to take it easy where the weather is usually a little more mild. Then head over to the east side of the hill to the Sunrise Lodge for food, beer, and a family atmosphere with a bunch of easier terrainfor the whole family. There is ample parking on this side of the mountain with two large parking lots or free shuttle buss service from the West Village side. The entire mountain can be assessed from either lodge as Mt Bachelor is a unique volcanic cone shaped mountain.

    So even though we are more than a month to go before opening day, don’t forget to get geared up and grab those early season deals on the passes. Cause looking good on the mountain in all your new gear only matters if your actually rinding the mountain. Get your passes and come shred the volcano this winter!

     I recently went on a short hike at the First Street Rapids along the Deschutes River. This nice little section of river near the downtown Bend area is a great place for just a long enough hike to stretch your legs and see the beauty the out town has. Parking is the main problem with the small park, but you can usually find a spot along the 1st st on your way to the park. Ounce parked you can check out the class 1 and 2 rapids at the park and chill for a few. Then just follow the trail down river as it is a great walking path. Dogs are welcome as long as they are on a leash and you pick up their piles. So as you hike the trail you may see some wild life along the way. I saw a pair of Swans and there young as well as a Osprey fighting with a Red Tail Hawk. That was probably a rare siting, but it was totally awesome! After a little bit the trail will go up hill along side of the Rivers Edge golf course and stop at the road. You may want to continue from here and explore although I decided to stop and turn around.  I did the hike in about 45 min at a very leisurely pace. At the end when I got back to the park I hung out by the rapids for a bit and then I was on my way back home.

     So if you don’t have much time or you want to hike somewhere close in town. Even if you have family or friends in town this is the perfect short hike to show off what Bend, OR has to offer. Check out the First Street Rapids park and hiking trail for a great break from the day.

     This was a really good day at the lake and I would definitely do it again. If you would like to check it out, I would suggest giving yourself at least a couple hours to paddle around and explore the small lake in the shadow of the Cascades.  Have a great day!