Images: Courtesy Mt. Bachelor
Mt. Bachelor’s most anticipated event, RendezVan, took place May 2-5, bringing skiers and riders from near and far together to celebrate van life, spring shredding and live music. This year marked the resort’s fourth RendezVan since 2018, cementing a unique tradition centered around Mt. Bachelor’s vibrant mountain culture.
Set against the backdrop of the stunning Three Sisters Wilderness, festivalgoers were treated to an array of free live performances, including headliners The Floozies, Saint Motel and a local favorite, Company Grand, with opening acts by Robert DeLong, The Dip and Billy and the Box Kid.
RendezVan also featured DJ entertainment, a silent disco, food trucks, bars and the opportunity to try axe-throwing, capture memories in a van photobooth or relax with guided slopeside yoga. Not to mention the beloved Dog Parade and the spirited Retro Threads Walk Off, where canines and their owners strutted their stuff down a snowy runway for a crowd of cheering spectators.
New this year, and a sure staple for next year, was the Deschutes Dog Dash, where dogs of all sizes queued up for a race across the snow while harnessed to kegs, with the chance to win epic prizes from Yeti. Additionally, festival-goers could purchase two different paid VIP options. The Daytripper VIP pass granted access to the private VIP area within the festival, primed for concert viewing and complete with outdoor firepits, heat lamps, complimentary hors d’ouerves and select alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages plus a commemorative VIP credential and gift. The Camper VIP pass granted up-front festival parking plus line-cutting privileges for expedited festival check-in. Still, entry to the general festival area, music performances and activities were free and open to all ages.
“RendezVan was the place to be this weekend,” said John Merriman, President and General Manager of Mt. Bachelor. “Despite the weather that rolled in, we had people flocking up here to take part in the festivities, and they were hardy. Rain, snow and shine, they were out on the slopes until 7 p.m. and then on the dance floor until closing.”
On the first day of RendezVan, Mt. Bachelor reported seven inches of fresh snow, setting the stage for endless fresh tracks and pow turns. The rest of the weekend brought some of everything, from blue skies and sunshine to rain showers, snow flurries and windstorms. Special for RendezVan, the Sunrise base area and lift reopened after closing for the season on April 22, and the Pine Marten lift stayed open until 7 p.m. to offer an additional five and a half hours of skiing and riding on Friday and Saturday.
Mt. Bachelor is open for top-to-bottom skiing and riding through May 26, conditions permitting. With a 97” base and 141” at mid-mountain, there’s still plenty of terrain to enjoy. Lift tickets start at $64 at mtbachelor.com.
