Mt Bachelor is one of the great legends of the Northwest.

A towering 9,065-foot solo giant that has achieved an almost mythic reputation among purists for the transcendent quality of its snow -- a light, dry, high-desert powder unlike any other in this part of the world. Three hundred pristine inches a year dust 71 runs well-distributed across 360 degrees of this extinct volcano.

At one of the largest resorts in North America; skiers, snowboarders and Nordic skiers will find great conditions, plenty of snow, big terrain, short lift lines, and a great value. Minutes from Bend, Redmond, Sunriver and Sisters, Oregon, Mt Bachelor offers nearly 3,700 acres of varied terrain and sits in the high desert of Central Cascades, known for dry snow and the best skiing and riding in the west. Mt Bachelor also has six lanes for tubing at the Snowblast Tubing Park and offer snowshoeing and dog sledding tours.

Shred? After a day of slalom and giant slalom, half-pipe and free riding, many snowboarders proclaim Mt Bachelor their favorite haunt. If you'd like to try a board, there are complete packages including lessons and equipment rental. Go ahead -- stick it to the whole mountain.

Because Mt Bachelor is in the heart of virgin wilderness, with no development off the slopes for miles in all directions, you will find the cross-country skiing to be especially exquisite, and unbelievably convenient.

Right at the base of the mountain is the Cross Country Center, a sophisticated lodge at the head of several trails -- dozens kilometers of machine-groomed tracks -- winding through the most pristine, breathtaking landscape to ever challenge the senses.

The closest accommodations to Mt Bachelor are 20 miles away in Bend, Ore. There you will find plenty of lodging choices, as well as eating establishments to satisfy any palate. While in Bend, be sure to check out the shopping in the unique downtown area.