Industry News
After finishing up last season with one of its latest closing dates in the last thirty years, Mount Ashland is struggling to get this season off the ground. With only a few flurries in October and November, Mount Ashland has had no measurable snowfall in December, and has nothing on the ground. The ski area’s website said that for operations to begin, about 2.5 feet of snow and three days of preparation are needed for crews to prepare the mountain.
The ski area is no stranger to operational challenges, dealing with power outages, damage to its water supply, and a tree strike on one of its chairlifts, all in one season. Over the summer, the ski area accomplished several improvement projects, including new lighting for expanded night skiing and cutting a new ski trail. Mount Ashland plans on replacing the Windsor Chairlift next summer and the Aerie Chairlift in the following summer. Forecasts indicate that snow may be coming to much of the West next week, but current estimates for storm totals make it unlikely that Mount Ashland would be able to open by Christmas.
Mount Ashland is one of just two ski areas in Southern Oregon, and offers a vertical drop of 1,150 feet and a peak elevation of 7,500 feet. The ski area has 45 different runs and 223 skiable acres serviced by six lifts. “The Bowl” is an area known for its advanced terrain and steep pitch, regularly requiring avalanche control work.
