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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 Flood watch issued for Sunday ... Confessions of a political junkie ... Ashland Police Reports, Dec. 12 ... Flood watch issued for Sunday ... Confessions of a political junkie ... Ashland Police Reports, Dec. 12 ... MT. ASHLAND Hoping for lots of snow, ready for less Ski area makes changes to allow for operations in low-snow years Comment By Vickie Aldous for the Tidings Follow @@VickieAldous DailyTidings.com By Vickie Aldous for the Tidings Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Nov. 27, 2015 at 12:01 AM By Vickie Aldous for the Tidings Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Nov. 27, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News The Mt. Ashland Ski Area has made changes so it can operate with less snow, but its operators are hoping for plentiful snowfall this winter. During the off-season, bushes and small trees were trimmed down on ski runs so less snow will be needed to cover vegetation, officials said. Some of the trees had sprouted up to 5 feet tall. The chairlift loading zone for the Sonnet bunny hill has a new wood loading ramp. In previous years, ski-area workers had to mound up precious snow to form a platform where skiers and snowboarders would stand while waiting for a chairlift seat to whisk them uphill. Now ski-lift operators can coat the wooden ramp with a mere inch of snow. The changes are meant to help the nonprofit ski area stay open for more days, said General Manager Hiram Towle. "We can open earlier on less snow, operate with less snow and go later in the season," he said. Two years ago, the ski area was closed for the whole winter because of a lack of snow in the mountains, and last winter it was open for just 38 days after a second year in a row of little snow. A winter storm passing through the Rogue Valley and surrounding mountains this week has many skiers and snowboarders eyeing the peaks and wondering when the ski area will open. But a good deal more will be needed before that happens. As of midday Wednesday, 7 to 9 inches of snow had accumulated on the mountain at 6,000 feet, and snow was still falling. The National Weather Service said snow was expected to continue into Wednesday, followed by cold and sunny weather Thanksgiving Day and Friday. The Mt. Ashland website calls for the ski area to open Dec. 12, but the actual opening will be dictated by conditions on the ground. Towle said the depth of snow needed to open varies based on how wet and dense or dry and fluffy the snow is. "The ski patrol and myself go out and test the snow for safety, number one, and for enjoyable skiing, number two," he said. Before being hit by drought years, the ski area opened on average in mid-December and closed in late April. Average annual snowfall was 265 inches, according to ski area statistics. The two difficult years have caused skiers and snowboarders to be more wary of buying season passes. Towle said the ski area budgeted for low season-ticket sales and hit its predictions for a season pass sale that ended Saturday. Meanwhile, the ski area is continuing a $650,000 fundraising campaign that launched in June. Donors have contributed $393,000 so far, according to ski area figures. "We're hoping for solid year-end giving. We're humbled by the support we've received so far," Towle said, noting the ski area also has received donations of material, including lumber from local companies. The ski area plans to send out a mailing near the end of the year and is also promoting the fundraiser with email messages and information on its website and Facebook page, he said. Money raised so far already has been put to use on tasks such as fixing the roofs of the lodge and the rental shop, Towle said. In announcing the $650,000 fundraising campaign, ski officials said they would focus on maintaining and improving the existing ski area and on taking steps to allow it to operate with less snow. Controversial plans for an expansion with added runs and chairlifts are on hold indefinitely. Towle said weather systems that have brought snow to the mountain this fall could be an indication of a snowier winter ahead. "We're ready to go when Mother Nature's ready," he said. For more information about the ski area, including snow depth and opening news, see www.mtashland.com . Reporter Vickie Aldous can be reached at 541-776-4486 or [email protected]. Follow her at www.twitter.com/VickieAldous . By Vickie Aldous for the Tidings Follow @@VickieAldous DailyTidings.com By Vickie Aldous for the Tidings Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Nov. 27, 2015 at 12:01 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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