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SATURDAY December 6, 2003 - Subscribe - Contact Us Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels December 3, 2003 The Waiting Game Warmer tempatures and rain have area ski officials watching, hoping for more snow By Bill Choy Ashland Daily Tidings Mt. Ashland Ski Area officials hope nature will let it snow this weekend. Ski officials had hoped to open last weekend or earlier this week, but only a small amount of snow has fallen. As of Wednesday morning, the ski area had a snow base of 17 inches, said Katharine Flanagan, marketing supervisor for the ski area. The ski area needs at least 36 inches of snow base to open. Despite inches of snow, Josh Iachelli, left, and Tim Case travel to Mount Ashland several times per week to practice on picnic tables, rails, and rocks. Denise Baratta | Ashland Daily Tidings "The snow base we have is a good, solid base," she said. "We're just waiting for more snow so we can start." Flanagan said the ski area probably needs at least two more snow storms to get enough snow. "We're anticipating an early December start, but you'll never know," Flanagan said. "We're just hoping for more snow, and that's all we can do." The average opening day for the ski area since 1992 is Dec. 10. Chuck Glaser of the National Weather Service in Medford said the snow level could drop to 5,500 feet by Friday, which could help bring snow to Mount Ashland. "It looks like there will be some snow starting on Friday and possibly throughout the weekend," he said. "Whether it will be enough, I don't know. But for now, it looks like they should be getting some snow." Mt. Ashland Ski Area is not the only regional ski area praying for snow. In Mount Shasta, Calif., the Mt. Shasta Board & Ski Park is experiencing a similar lack of the much-needed white stuff. The resort needs of a couple more feet of snow in its base area, ski park officials said. The ski park has yet to set an opening date. The average opening date is Dec.7. For more information on snow conditions at the Mt. Ashland Ski Area, call the snow phone at 482-2754. The phone report will be updated by 9 a.m. each day, ski officials said. For snow conditions at Mt. Shasta Board & Ski Park, call 530-926-8686. DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Road Cams