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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 More lightning, high winds possible ... Scientist: We need to learn to live with wildfires ... Weather or Not: June in Redding — er, I mean Ashland ... More lightning, high winds possible ... Scientist: We need to learn to live with wildfires ... Weather or Not: June in Redding — er, I mean Ashland ... MOUNT ASHLAND Skiers, boarders and others flock to the slopes Mountain expected to surpass 10,000 skiers by Sunday, despite down snow year Comment By Thomas Moriarty Ashland Daily Tidings DailyTidings.com By Thomas Moriarty Ashland Daily Tidings Posted Feb. 16, 2015 at 12:01 AM Updated Feb 16, 2015 at 10:54 AM By Thomas Moriarty Ashland Daily Tidings Posted Feb. 16, 2015 at 12:01 AM Updated Feb 16, 2015 at 10:54 AM » Social News Following a rocky start to its 2014-2015 season, the Mt. Ashland Ski Area saw thousands of visitors this past week after being closed for more than a month. When the mountain failed to open for the 2013-2014 season because of a lack of snow, many feared that the ski area would have to close for good if it didn't open this year. The mountain opened its first lift, on the Sonnet beginner's run, Dec. 19, but the ski area closed the next day because of low snow levels. After a Christmas Eve storm dumped another 11 inches of snow, the park reopened until Jan. 12, when it shut down again. As a result of the closure, the park laid off all but five of its 139 employees. Salvation came in the form of a surprise snow storm in early February. "We got 19 inches the last storm," said general manager Hiram Towle. "The forecast had originally called for rain." As of Saturday morning, the ski area had accumulated 22 inches of snow at the base and 53 inches in the bowl. As a result of the snowfall, the resort has hired back all 134 employees who had been laid off and opened all of its lifts. Enough visitors turned out that by Saturday afternoon, employees had opened a new 100-car section of the parking lot and directed even more vehicles to park along the roadside when that lot reached capacity. "It's like we had never closed," Towle said, watching dozens of skiers gliding down the Juliet run. Ashland resident Eugene Wier was one of the thousands who flocked to the mountain this week, partly, he said, because of its location and also because it's one of the only places that tolerates his chosen snow-conveyance device: the snow skate. Snow skates are one-piece boards that are shorter than traditional snowboards and lack bindings, instead relying on a non-slip deck like a skateboard. Wier said he took up snow-skating about four years ago, saying it offered more of a challenge than snowboarding. Snow skates have become increasingly popular in the past decade, but ski areas that permit them are hard to find. Wier said Mt. Ashland and Timberline on Mount Hood are the only ski areas in the state that allow their use. "Whatever kind of snow play you're into is awesome," he said. "Whatever keeps people coming up here keeps this place open." The ski area, started in 1963 by Southern Oregon residents, has been community owned for the past 21 years. Kasey Hayden was among the large percentage of visitors for whom Mount Ashland is their only snow-sport destination. "This is kind of it for us," Hayden said. "If there's no snow, that's it." Towle said that by the end of the week, the ski area would likely surpass 10,000 visitors for the season, of which the mountain has been open for 19 days. While those numbers are good given the limited days the ski park has been open, he said, the park's historical average is over 70,000. Towle said the ski area plans to maintain its existing schedule of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Monday (schedule corrected) for the duration of the season. Just how long that will be is anyone's guess. The National Weather Service forecast for the coming week has highs in the 60s for the valley and near 50 for the ski area, with no mention of precipitation. Reach reporter Thomas Moriarty at 541-776-4471, or by email at [email protected]. Follow him at @ThomasDMoriarty. By Thomas Moriarty Ashland Daily Tidings DailyTidings.com By Thomas Moriarty Ashland Daily Tidings Posted Feb. 16, 2015 at 12:01 AM Updated Feb 16, 2015 at 10:54 AM » 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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