Mt. Bachelor Launches Major Modernization Project for Iconic Northwest Express Chairlift

Mt. Bachelor has officially launched a major infrastructure and modernization project on its Northwest Express chairlift, targeting critical upgrades to improve reliability, storm resilience, and operational efficiency ahead of the 2026–27 winter season.

The Northwest Express is highly regarded as one of Mt. Bachelor’s most critical lifts, serving as the gateway to the mountain's premier advanced and expert terrain, steep glades, and the West Bowls on the northwest face of the volcano. Boasting a vertical drop of 2,336 feet—the seventh largest of any chairlift in North America—the high-speed quad was originally installed in 1996. Due to its exposure to harsh high-alpine weather, rime ice, and heavy snow cycles, the lift has faced notable mechanical and power disruptions over recent seasons, leading the resort to prioritize its overhaul.

While the lift's core structure—including its existing towers, foundations, terminals, chairs, and haul rope—will remain in place, the interior technology will undergo a complete transformation. According to resort officials, the project includes updating the utility power to the area, replacing the lift's electric motor and auxiliary power unit, and fully overhauling the interior control systems.

Once completed, the Northwest Express will run on the same modernized operating system implemented on the resort’s Skyliner lift, which opened in late 2023. Opting for a comprehensive modernization rather than a brand-new lift installation also allows the resort to stay within strict U.S. Forest Service (USFS) regulations regarding local wildlife, particularly protecting the region's Northern spotted owl population.

“These upgrades are going to make a huge difference for our guests and operations teams,” Dustin Smith, Mt. Bachelor’s Director of Mountain Operations, said in a statement. “We’re wrapping up routine maintenance this spring and will work throughout summer and fall to get everything wrapped up prior to the 2026/27 season.”

On-snow crews have already made significant headway following an early end to the ski season. Operations teams have updated the utility power at the bottom terminal of Northwest to increase voltage supply and are currently replacing the bull wheel bearings, performing terminal alignments, and removing the park rail.

In addition to the immediate mechanical overhauls, Mt. Bachelor outlined a comprehensive list of supplementary infrastructure improvements slated for completion this summer and fall:

• Fiber and Communication Infrastructure: Workers will bury roughly 5,000 feet of communication and fiber lines to enhance network connectivity and shield critical data paths from ice buildup and storm damage.

• Expanded Chair Storage: The existing chair storage facility will be expanded into a semi-enclosed steel structure capable of sheltering all carriers overnight, severely reducing early-morning snow removal and storm recovery times.

• Ice-Prevention Night-Drive System: A new night-drive system will allow the lift to run at low speeds without any chairs attached during heavy storms, a tactic designed to prevent catastrophic ice accumulation on the haul rope and ensure quicker openings on powder days.

• Updated Facilities: The resort will replace the upper and lower operator shacks with larger, weather-resilient structures built to house the new electronic control units and improve workspaces for lift attendants. A new maintenance garage will also be built near the base terminal for on-site carrier testing and quick repairs.

All modernization work is scheduled to move continuously through the summer and autumn months, with Mt. Bachelor confirming that the updated Northwest Express will be fully operational in time for opening day of the 2026–27 winter season.