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Mt. Ashland ski season starts Sunday Skiers and snowboarders will be happy to hear the mountain opens for the season Sunday. File photo by Andy Atkinson Wednesday Nov 30, 2016 at 2:44 PM Nov 30, 2016 at 7:02 PM By Nick Morgan For the Tidings Mt. Ashland will open Sunday, Dec. 4 — nearly a week ahead of schedule, the ski area announced Wednesday. The ski area previously set Dec. 10 as this season's opening date but opted to move forward after another 4 inches of snow fell Tuesday night, and forecasts call for more snow ahead, General Manager Hiram Towle said. The average opening date over the past 50 years has been around Dec. 12, according to the ski area, which said the last time Mt. Ashland opened earlier than Dec. 4 was Dec. 3, 2010. In 2001 the area opened on the last day of November. Towle described the logistics to open ahead of schedule as a "scramble."  The lower portion of the mountain currently has 26 to 28 inches of snow, which is "the lower end" of snowfall needed to open, according to Towle, who noted that the mountain ski patrol has been out to scout the area. Towle said opening Saturday wasn't an option because Dec. 3 is slated for staff training and orientation. Starting Sunday, the cafe, bar, shop and lessons will be available, but Towle said there's not yet enough snow on the upper portion of the mountain. The Ariel lift will remain closed, and ski officials are advising that there may be exposed rocks and hazards at intermediate and advanced Windsor sections, but lower terrain near the Comer and Sonnet lifts will have coverage typical of mid-winter. Starting Sunday, the ski area will operate on its regular five-day schedule, meaning the area will be closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The ski area will be open seven days a week during the winter holiday break, between Dec. 19 and Jan. 2. Pass holders who want to skip the line opening day can get their pictures taken at Mt. Ashland's business office, 693 Washington St., Ashland. On Sunday, the ski area will hold a "Day Onesie" promotion, in which skiers wearing a one-piece ski outfit or costume will be offered lift tickets at the discounted rate of $25. Normal weekend rates are $49 for adults, $39 for youth age 7 to 12 and free for children and seniors. — Reach reporter Nick Morgan at 541-776-4471 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @MTCrimeBeat.