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Ski Ashland's just waiting for snow By PAUL FATTIG ASHLAND -- Jeff Hanson isn't about to head down the slippery slope of making a prediction about when this year's ski season will begin atop Mount Ashland. But the assistant general manager of Ski Ashland figures opening day isn't too far off. "I learned a long time ago not to do that (make predictions)," he said. "I've learned to take it when it comes. "We've got a normal amount of snow right now," he noted. "We're well on our way." The community-owned facility won't open the day before Thanksgiving as it did in 1998, but snow is starting to accumulate, he said. With some 14 inches of snow at the lodge and 26 inches on top of Mount Ashland, the 1999-2000 ski season is expected to begin soon, possibly even before its average opening date of Dec. 10. The facility needs about 30 inches at the lodge and 36 inches on top of the mountain to open, Hanson said, adding that could come with the next couple of snowstorms. While the target date to open is always Thanksgiving weekend, that is seldom achieved, he said. "That only happens two or three times in 10 years," he said. "But what we've got is packing out into a good base. We're doing a little work on it and getting ready." To prepare for the last ski season of the century and for the first one of the next millennium, Ski Ashland held a training session over the weekend for its 160-member staff, Hanson said. "We've got more snow on its way and the staff trained," he said. "We're just about ready, but there are always a couple of loose ends to tie up." In addition to grooming the snow, employees are also completing last-minute work on a new sewage treatment plant that was built at the ski area this fall. Testing is being conducted on the facility, which is expected to be operating in time for the ski season, Hanson said. Meanwhile, Hanson and his crew plan to keep an eye on the sky. "We expect a little more snow today," Hanson said Tuesday afternoon. "It all helps." More storms are predicted for later this week. Ski Ashland has a special use permit for the ski area, which is in the Ashland Ranger District of the Rogue River National Forest. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA