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Upward slopes: Mt. Ashland has strong opening, holiday period By Tony Boom for the Ashland Tidings and Mail Tribune Jan 15, 2020 07:26 PM A A A good opening for Mt. Ashland saw skier and rider visits up 2.84% over last year’s December numbers in the face of a less than optimal snowpack. “Despite the low coverage, we heard nothing but good things from people,” said area General Manager Hiram Towle. “There were lots more people from far away. Diversity on the mountain has increased quite a lot.” In 2019, 20,117 people hit the slopes in December compared to 19,561 in 2018. The nonprofit organization also was ahead on revenue, Towle said, although exact figures were not available. Skiing started Dec. 8 — ahead of the planned Dec. 14 opening. The mountain operated for 28 days through Jan. 10, including 19 days continuously for the holiday period from Dec. 19 through Jan. 6. There have been no closures to due wind, weather or equipment issues. The snowpack Friday was 38 inches on the lower mountain, 30 inches at mid-mountain and 36 on the summit. Over the past seven days, 9 inches of new snow had fallen. Total snowfall for the season was 75 inches. By Jan. 14 last year, the mountain had received 78 inches, and snowpack was 44 inches on the lower mountain and 41 inches on the summit. Early in the season, Mt. Ashland had the highest natural snowpack of any Pacific Northwest resort. The mountain also was operating 100% of its lifts compared to other areas which were not at full capability. Coverage on the mountain was uniform during opening weeks without thinner areas that usually accompany early-season conditions. “It was wind. Some storms came in from the south, some came in from the north. Different areas got scoured. It was all wind effect,” Towle said to explain the reason for the coverage. Four live webcams and a new on-mountain weather station help users to make informed decisions on when they should come to the area. “I think people know because of our very honest and open reporting exactly what we do have for snow. Perhaps they have some inkling of what the other places will have,” said Towle. Free shuttle services took more than 1,700 people to the mountain during the holiday period. The service began with two 15-passenger vehicles, but switched to two 30-passenger school buses the ski area had purchased once they were converted for mountain use. Shuttle service will continue Saturdays and Sundays. Shuttles leave hourly from Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites, 2525 Ashland St., beginning at 7 a.m., and hourly from the ski area, with the last leaving at 5 p.m. More than 2,000 visitors headed up Saturday, Jan. 4, when the mountain held a mid-winter jam featuring Danielle Kelly. The parking lot filled up, but 300 cars came through despite being informed of the situation at the bottom of the access road. Drivers were able to secure spots by waiting for others to leave. “That’s why the bus is so critical. That helps save spots,” said Towle. The parking lot was full one other day. Weather conditions may have contributed to a lower Christmas Day turnout that saw 923 guests compared to 1,601 in 2018, Towle said. New Year’s Day also saw a drop from 1,293 to 495. Mt. Ashland has resumed its regular operating schedule of Thursdays through Mondays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Twilight skiing runs from 3 to 9 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays through March 13. Rogue Valley schools participate in after-school twilight programs and will be joined this year by a school from Scott Valley, California. The mountain will be open all days from March 19 to March 30 for spring break. After that operations switch to Fridays through Sundays until the final day, set for April 12. More information can be found at mtashland.com. Reach Ashland freelance writer Tony Boom at [email protected] . Andy Atkinson / Mail TribuneGuest enjoy Mt Ashland Sunday morning under mixed weather on a solid snow base. Andy Atkinson / Mail TribuneGuest enjoy Mt Ashland Sunday morning learning how to ski and snowboard.