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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Bill could gut GMO ordinance, group says ... Library kids activities get more than the mind in gear ... Ashland City Council keeps way clear for recreational marijuana sales ... Bill could gut GMO ordinance, group says ... Library kids activities get more than the mind in gear ... Ashland City Council keeps way clear for recreational marijuana sales ... SPRING SKIING? Mt. Ashland hopes coming storm will reopen ski area Coming storm could bring snow to high elevations Comment By Vickie Aldous For the Daily Tidings DailyTidings.com By Vickie Aldous For the Daily Tidings Posted Mar. 19, 2015 at 3:39 PM Updated Mar 19, 2015 at 7:24 PM By Vickie Aldous For the Daily Tidings Posted Mar. 19, 2015 at 3:39 PM Updated Mar 19, 2015 at 7:24 PM » Social News Just when it looked like the Mt. Ashland Ski Area could be closed for the rest of the season, a coming spring storm may bring snow to high elevations and allow the shuttered resort to reopen. The ski area has been closed since Sunday after warm temperatures and rain melted snow at the bottom of runs and around chairlift loading zones. The upper mountain snow depth was still above 50 inches this week. "We're definitely looking at that weather coming in and do plan to reopen as soon as we have enough snow," said Ski Area General Manager Hiram Towle. "It is going to take a significant amount, however, because we lost quite a bit at the lower elevations around the lifts." Towle noted ski area workers have been creative this year moving snow around to cover low-snow spots, and could do so again if the coming storm doesn't blanket all parts of the mountain. The National Weather Service is forecasting a chance of rain Friday night in the Siskiyou Mountains with snow levels lowering to 6,000 feet. The base of the ski area is at 6,338 feet in elevation with the top of the area at 7,533 feet, according to the Mt. Ashland Association. The chance of rain and snow continues through at least Tuesday, with snow levels between 4,500 and 5,000 feet on Saturday, the National Weather Service predicts. Towle said if enough snow falls, workers will do their best to get the ski area back open — especially with spring break coming for many local schools all next week. "We're always keeping our eyes on the skies and planning is in place for what we would do should Mother Nature oblige," he said. The ski area was previously closed for a month in the middle of the season due to a lack of snow, then reopened after storms dumped new snow on the mountain. Last winter, it was unable to open at all for the first time in its history due to low snow. The Mt. Shasta Ski Park in Northern California has been even harder hit by low snow this winter and remains closed. It has no snow at its base and only 10 inches higher up the mountain. Both the Mt. Ashland Ski Area and Mt. Shasta Ski Park are exploring options to branch out more into four-season operations by offering new summer events. For updates on the Mt. Ashland Ski Area, call the snow phone at 541-482-2754 or visit www.mtashland.com. Staff reporter Vickie Aldous can be reached at 541-776-4486 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/VickieAldous. By Vickie Aldous For the Daily Tidings DailyTidings.com By Vickie Aldous For the Daily Tidings Posted Mar. 19, 2015 at 3:39 PM Updated Mar 19, 2015 at 7:24 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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