The Bulletin file photoDisc golfers ride the chairlift up to Mt. Bachelors course in 2008.

While Mt. Bachelor kicked off its summer season Saturday, a week ahead of schedule, the main event starts today with the opening of the ski area’s downhill bike park.

When the sunset dinner program at Pine Marten Lodge starts Sunday, the resort’s summer season will be in full operation, according to Drew Jackson, a spokesman for the resort.

“This week we’ve been off to a really strong start,” Jackson said.

The bike park is one of the summer tourism elements outlined in a 10-year expansion plan approved by the U.S. Forest Service in 2013. But Jackson said that while the resort is hoping to institute the zip line and climbing wall, they could end up getting nixed due to potential budget constraints.

“They’re both high on our wish list,” he said.

For obvious reasons, winter recreation is and likely always will be the bread and butter of Mt. Bachelor’s marketing efforts. Jackson estimated that 90-95 percent of the resort’s revenue occurs during the winter ski season.

However, Mt. Bachelor began adding summer activities as early as the 1980s, when the resort opened up its Summit chairlift over the summer months.

Additionally, Jackson said the Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act, passed in 2011, helped pave the way for Mt. Bachelor and other ski areas located on Forest Service land to create more activities over the summer.

The biking area will be entering its second full summer season. It opened for five days in 2013. Jackson said the bike park, which operates near the West Village base area, is still expanding, as the current 10 miles of trails will grow to roughly 14 miles by the end of the summer. The additions will include areas for novice and advanced riders.

“We’re putting more effort into catering to the edges of the ability spectrum,” Jackson said.

The main summer activities on the mountain, which include chairlift rides to Pine Marten Lodge, disc golf and sled-dog cart rides, will be open daily until Labor Day. The sunset dinners, which have been a staple at Pine Marten Lodge for around 15 years, will occur Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings during that span.

“Summer is where we have an opportunity to grow,” Jackson said.

Alana Hughson, president and CEO of the Central Oregon Visitors Association, said the additional summer activities make the resort easier to market regardless of season.

“The fact that the mountain is able to be very nimble in transitioning from winter to summer is very exciting for us,” Hughson said.

In a year like 2015, when Mount Bachelor’s snowpack was significantly below average, Hughson said a strong slate of summer activities can help the resort spin a negative into a positive by opening earlier in the summer and adding revenue.

She added that the recent inclusion of cycling on the mountain makes it easier to reach visitors during multiple seasons.

“Cycling is a very significant part of our messaging,” Hughson said. “It’s just stunning to see the view from the mountain during the summer.”

— Reporter: 541-617-7818, shamway@bendbulletin.com