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43 °F 5 Day Forecast Saturday, December 13, 2003 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | eSouthernOregon | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend November 22, 2003 Don’t get those skiis out just yet By BILL KETTLER Mail Tribune Skiers and snowboarders will have to wait for at least one more major storm before they can ride the slopes of Mount Ashland. Midweek storms brought enough snow to open ski resorts around Mount Hood and Mount Bachelor on Friday, but Southern Oregon’s only ski and snowboard resort had about half the snow it needs to open. There was 17 inches of snow Friday morning at the measuring station just downhill from the lodge, but ski area managers need about 3 feet of snow to open the trails. Jeff Hanson, Mount Ashland’s general manager, said storms on the horizon could bring enough snow to open during the Thanksgiving weekend. Forecasters were expecting dry weather until Sunday, but snow could return to the mountains through the first half of next week. If those storms bring adequate snow, workers at the ski area will need about two days to prepare the mountain for visitors. Advertisement "There are lots of things you can’t do until you have enough snow," Hanson said, such as building ramps to the base of the chairlifts, grooming trails and marking exposed hazards. November openings are unusual, but not unheard of, on Mount Ashland. Over the past 20 years, there was enough snow to open in November six times. On average, the mountain opens around Dec. 10. Cold weather that brought snow to the foothills around the Rogue Valley has reminded skiers and snowboarders that it’s time to get their gear ready to go. "We’re finally starting to see them coming in," said Bob Matthews, of Medford’s Rogue Ski Shop. "They know (opening day) is just around the corner." While Mount Ashland waits for more snow, several ski areas in northern Oregon opened Friday, including Mount Hood Meadows, with 33 inches of snow at the base area, Mount Bachelor with 34 inches and Timberline with 44. Matthews said skiers traveling to those and other ski areas have been dropping in to pick up new gear and replace lost or damaged equipment before they go. "They’re coming in to get last-minute stuff," he said. "Some need something that’s missing on a ski boot binding. For others, it’s some goggles or a glove." Mount Ashland’s neighbor to the south, the Mount Shasta Board and Ski Park, still needs snow at the base area to open. Scott Ferguson, Mount Shasta’s marketing director, said there’s about 3 feet of snow at 6,000 feet, but the base area has only about 4 to 8 inches. "We’ve been waiting for what’s turned out to be a phantom storm," Ferguson said, noting that anticipated storms have bypassed Northern California’s highest mountain. "So far nothing has panned out." Mount Shasta will keep operating its snow-making equipment while temperatures remain cold, Ferguson said. No date has been set for opening Mount Shasta, where the average opening date is Dec. 7. For latest conditions, call:482-2754 for Mount Ashland,530-926-8686 for Mount Shasta.Reach reporter Bill Kettler at 776-4492, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times