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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 Local school a leader in conflict resolution learning ... Levy would restore bus services ... As It Was: The Ruch family tragedy overcome by town's founder ... Local school a leader in conflict resolution learning ... Levy would restore bus services ... As It Was: The Ruch family tragedy overcome by town's founder ... MT. ASHLAND Mt. Ashland ski season extended one week Comment By Ryan Pfeil For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Ryan Pfeil For the Tidings Posted Apr. 11, 2016 at 4:06 PM Updated Apr 11, 2016 at 5:42 PM By Ryan Pfeil For the Tidings Posted Apr. 11, 2016 at 4:06 PM Updated Apr 11, 2016 at 5:42 PM » Social News Following a successful season, Mt. Ashland Ski Area is taking a victory lap. Mountain officials said they will extend the 2015-16 season by another week, capping it off April 16-17. Mt. Ashland General Manager Hiram Towle previously had said the ski area would extend another weekend if 2,000 or more visitors hit the slopes the weekend of April 9-10. The mountain fell short of that goal, drawing about 1,300, but officials are pulling the trigger on a bonus weekend anyway. "We have had a fantastic season and the entire team has worked very hard," Towle said in a prepared statement. "Although the plan was to close on Sunday, we all agreed we just weren't done yet. Our faithful skiers and snowboarders deserve a bonus weekend." The 86-day, 22-night season, which kicked off in mid-December, has since drawn more than 67,000 skiers and snowboarders. That's just under the 70,000-person seasonal average, based on data extending back 35 years. Some of those ski seasons saw 100,000 people, but the mountain was open all week during those years. Additionally, the Mt. Ashland website reports more than 22 feet of snow fell on the slopes this season. A little more than 4 feet of that snow reportedly remains on the lower mountain, with a shade over 10 feet higher up. Comparatively, the mountain didn't open at all in 2013-14 because of a lack of snow, which necessitated a $750,000 Small Business Administration disaster loan to stay afloat. During the 2014-15 season, it was only open 38 days due to another underwhelming winter. The mountain lodge will be open the final weekend, and equipment rentals, food services and the retail shop will also operate as usual. There will be no ski lessons. Riders are encouraged to wear Hawaiian shirts to celebrate the spring and summer weather ahead. A Monday forecast from the National Weather Service showed a Saturday high of 41 degrees for the mountain, followed by a 61-degree high on Sunday. During the off-season, mountain officials are looking ahead to potential updates to the lodge and some run work. Details about those projects, along with season earnings, are forthcoming. For more information, visit www.mtashland.com . Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or [email protected]. Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil . By Ryan Pfeil For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Ryan Pfeil For the Tidings Posted Apr. 11, 2016 at 4:06 PM Updated Apr 11, 2016 at 5:42 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... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site 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. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501