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Storm brings snow to thirsty ski areas By Bill Kettler Wednesday�s storm brought some much-needed snow to the Southern Oregon Cascade and Siskiyou mountains, and more snow was expected today and Friday. The brunt of the storm blew through Northern California. More than 18 inches of new snow fell on Mount Shasta, but barely half that much fell on Mount Ashland. "It was definitely a good Band-Aid," said Mount Ashland manager Bruce Meek. Intermittent snow so far this winter has left the Mount Ashland ski area with just enough snow to operate. Skiers and snowboarders have had to dodge exposed rocks and brush on many trails. Meek estimated 6 to 10 inches of snow had fallen on Mount Ashland by the time the ski area closed at 4 p.m. Wednesday. Nearly a half-inch of rain (.47) fell in Medford by late afternoon. That rain more than doubled the meager .28 inches that had fallen during the first two-thirds of the month. Medford typically receives about 3 inches of rain in January. Northern California�s heavy snow caused a power outage at the Mount Shasta Board & Ski Park, which forced the ski park to cancel its night session. Marketing Director Tim Larive said the power failed at about 1 p.m. when tree limbs weighted down by snow fell on power lines. Larive said power was partially restored later in the afternoon, but the ski park could not operate its chair lifts without its full complement of electricity. Larive said Pacific Power officials assured him power would be restored in time to resume full operation today. For the latest ski conditions at Mount Shasta, call 1-530-926-8686. The Mount Ashland snow phone is 482-2754 or 770-2754. Mount Shasta�s power failure had no connection to the rolling blackouts that have plagued power-short California. Larive said some Southern California ski areas have been temporarily shut down by blackouts, and at least one, Mammoth Mountain, is paying a premium price for power to avoid blackouts. The Mount Shasta ski park gets its power from Pacific Power, which supplies electricity across Southern Oregon and parts of far-northern California. Forecasters were expecting snow in the mountains through Friday, but the brunt of the latest storm seemed to be moving toward Northern California. Many storms have bypassed the Rogue Valley this winter, diverted north or south by a strong ridge of high-pressure air. "That ridge has left us high and dry," said Eric Platt, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Medford. Platt said snow showers could continue in the mountains through Friday, but dry weather was likely to return for the weekend. Another storm could bring more rain and snow as early as Tuesday. Reach reporter Bill Kettler at 776-4492, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.