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--> Fireworks light up the night sky above the Mt. Ashland ski lodge in this New Year's Eve photo. Photo courtesy Larry Addington New year arrives with a bang at ski area By Vickie Aldous Ashland Daily Tidings The Mt. Ashland Ski Area will host an alcohol-free New Year's Eve celebration tonight, capped by a mountain-top fireworks display. "Most people will be out at a dinner party or dancing or imbibing. It will be an opportunity for people to reflect, enjoy the beautiful night and be with their kids," said Gene Landsmann, marketing director for the ski area. The Mt. Ashland Lodge will stop serving alcoholic drinks after 5:30 p.m. today, but food and other drinks will be available until 9 p.m. Adults can ski or snowboard for $29 from noon until 9 p.m. The Ariel chairlift that reaches the summit will operate during the day in addition to the Sonnet, Comer and Windsor chairlifts. The three lower chairlifts will run for night skiing. An adult ticket to ski or snowboard from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. costs $18. The Sonnet chairlift serving the beginners' slope is free tonight, as it is during the entire season. As always, children ages eight and under can ski or snowboard for free at the ski area. Skiers and snowboarders will find six feet of snow at the base of the ski area and eight feet at the top of the mountain. Mount Ashland received a fresh inch of snow overnight. Skies will be cloudy tonight with snow likely, leading to an accumulation of another two to three inches. Southwest winds of 15 to 25 miles per hour are expected, according to the National Weather Service office in Medford. The ski access road is mostly clear but snow-packed at the top. Ski officials recommend that visitors carry traction devices. The halfpipe feature is finished at the ski area, and terrain park features will be completed after New Year's Eve. The ski area plans to install a sliding rail, a feature popular with snowboarders. Although last year's New Year's Eve celebration ended with a fireworks display at midnight, fireworks will go off tonight at 9. The earlier time for fireworks will allow more families to see the display, Landsmann said. He encouraged people to come up to the mountain and celebrate the New Year. "It will be a great place to say goodbye to 2001 and welcome 2002," Landsmann said. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing