Mt. Bachelor ski area announced its spring operating plans Thursday, including a scheduled closing date of May 17 and reduced daily ticket prices beginning April 20.

The ski area, which drew criticism last year for closing all but two of its chairlifts in April, will keep three high-speed lifts open through the end of the season, said Alex Kaufman, the director of sales and marketing.

Pine Marten Express, Summit Express and Skyliner Express will remain open through May 17. The ski area’s other seven lifts will close by April 19.

Mt. Bachelor hopes to attract more local skiers who prefer the steep terrain that can be accessed via Pine Marten, which was closed during spring operations last year, Kaufman said.

Last year, the ski area based its spring operations at Sunrise Lodge. This year, the base of operations will be West Village Lodge.

“We heard good feedback that the majority of people that are skiing that time of year are the die-hards,” Kaufman said. “The terrain (off Pine Marten) offers better steepness and makes use of our terrain parks.”

Mt. Bachelor also announced the return of the U.S. Ski Team this spring, which last trained at Mt. Bachelor in 2004, Kaufman said.

The ski area will sell two new spring pass options. One is a $129 all-ages pass valid from March 30 until the closing date. The other costs $89 for all ages and is valid from April 20 until closing, according to a company press release.

Daily adult ticket rates will be $45 every day beginning April 20, according to the release. Currently, daily rates are $58 Sunday through Friday and $69 on Saturday.

The company is at full employment now with about 750 employees and will stay that way through spring break, Kaufman wrote in an e-mail. Mt. Bachelor will reduce its work force in April and May, but will keep more people on staff than last year due to the additional lift operations and larger lodge to operate, he wrote.

A complete report of Mt. Bachelor’s spring lift and lodge operating schedule is available at www.mtbachelor.com.