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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Explosion at Knife River plant blows top off tank Josephine County won't try to tax legal pot Landowner, companies fined for dumping drywall Police release name of woman run over in Hugo area Masked man appears to have second thoughts about robbing Medford Purple Parrot Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Police release name of woman run over in Hugo area Masked man appears to have second thoughts about robbing Medford Purple Parrot Emergency services Alleged bike thieves face charges Medford man accused of raping girl Politics and Elections Ashland aims for diversity, but numbers show shortfall Kent Bush: The keys to decoding the State of the Union address Oregon Legislature convenes, session starts Feb. 12 Councilman stirs online dust-up with anti-marijuana post Education Some gains, some losses Medford reconsiders full-day kindergarten State boosts class time expectation A wealth of experience Ballroom dance class is a hit with North Medford students Environment Commissioners won't object to BLM road closures Mt. Ashland Ski Area crew dips to five Public sounds off on gas pipeline Mt. Ashland ski area announces layoffs Bear cub headed to rehabbers in Idaho State News Oregonians face Feb. 15 health insurance deadline Study launched on restoring salmon runs Boy Scouts settle California suit over abuse Clean energy group paid Cylvia Hayes $118,000 Oregon man who killed officer seeks parole Nation - World Obituaries Charles Neff Culmer Doris Evelyn Mayfield Robert Don Morgan Death Notices Stephen Allen Davis Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable In memoriam: 2014’s notable deaths Looking back: Do you remember 2014’s biggest stories? 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Community blog: Breathe Away Anxiety Health Watch: Why you should consider the Mediterranean diet Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs Religion briefs, Jan. 23 Religion briefs Old stained-glass windows face threats Churches start new year with messages of hope Milestones and Achievements 50 years and counting: Bulebar Wedding: Lindsey-Maria Rios New arrivals Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Classics, premiers highlight '15 season for OSF Eric Johnson and Mike Stern at The Rogue Theatre Alcyon Massive and Frankie Hernandez play acoustic at Howiee's Comedian Susan Westenhoefer pulls no punches Eric Church blends rock and country on arena tour Theater Classics, premiers highlight '15 season for OSF Randall Theatre presents playwright Charles Ludlam's comedy "The Mystery of Irma Vep" Roy Orbison tribute hits high note Thanks for the Memories Theatre presents 'Cardenio' Thanks for the Memories Theatre presents 'Rent' Music Eric Johnson and Mike Stern at The Rogue Theatre Alcyon Massive and Frankie Hernandez play acoustic at Howiee's Eric Church blends rock and country on arena tour Bill Frisell turns tunes into art forms Ballyhoo! plays the Brickroom Community Events Comedian Susan Westenhoefer pulls no punches Paula Poundstone performs at the Craterian Len Dickson's 'Fall Harvest' to grace Belle Fiore wine label A look at the life and vision of Martin Luther King Jr. Ty Barnett and Ian Harris are 'Divided' Dining The Vine offers a taste of Italy Cheeseburgers on the cheap Valley View — It's all in the family Patty Groth's Morning Glory is still a delight Entertaining with a gift of treasure Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Explosion at Knife River plant blows top off tank ... Our View: Revving up the gas tax debate ... Alleged bike thieves face charges ... Explosion at Knife River plant blows top off tank ... Our View: Revving up the gas tax debate ... Alleged bike thieves face charges ... MT. ASHLAND Mt. Ashland Ski Area looks for ways to diversify Snowshoeing, mountain bike rentals could be part of resort's future Comment By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Jan. 26, 2015 @ 8:04 pm By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Jan. 26, 2015 @ 8:04 pm What do you think? --> Have an opinion on this story? Send a letter to the editor online at www.mailtribune.com/sendletter or by email to ... » Read more X What do you think? Have an opinion on this story? Send a letter to the editor online at www.mailtribune.com/sendletter or by email to [email protected] . » Social News Mt. Ashland Ski Area officials are looking beyond downhill skiing and snowboarding to keep the resort financially viable in the long term. All options are on the table, including snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter and mountain bike rentals in the summer, according to a Monday night discussion among board members for the Mt. Ashland Association, which oversees the nonprofit ski area. "We run four to five months out of the year when we could run nine or 10 months," said Hiram Towle, ski area general manager. The resort could potentially rent out snowshoes and cross-country skis. Snowshoeing and cross country skiing are popular on roads on the back side of Mount Ashland, although people have to bring their own equipment. The ski area could also rent mountain bikes and sell supplies such as bike tire inner tubes to people attracted to the network of hiking and biking trails outside the ski area on Mount Ashland. Some Rogue Valley businesses already rent mountain bikes to tourists and run shuttle services to the top of the mountain for locals and visitors who are fans of downhill biking. The U.S. Forest Service is considering expanding the trail network. Use has boomed from 16,000 people annually 15 years ago to 50,000 per year currently, according to agency estimates. Audience members at the board meeting suggested other ways for the ski area to save money or generate revenue, including installing solar panels to cut electricity costs and selling food to spectators and participants in popular running races like the grueling Mt. Ashland Hillclimb. "This is the second year in a row that we've had a difficult stretch," Towle said. "We know weather is cyclical and we'll have good snow years as well, but we know we need to build our summer business." The ski area was unable to open last winter due to a lack of snow. It was open for only 13 days this season before dwindling snow pack caused it to close down again in early January. Ski area officials are holding out hope late winter storms could allow the resort to reopen. "We are operating in hibernation mode," Towle said. "But there are two-and-a-half months left in the season." The ski area had 139 permanent and seasonal workers ready to go for this season, but is now down to a skeleton crew of five people after deep layoffs forced by the closure, according to managers. Board members said they have looked into snow-making systems for the ski area, but the equipment is costly and the ski area lacks an adequate water source to create artificial snow. During the 13 days this winter the ski area was open, it attracted 6,669 skiers and snowboarders and took in $269,109 in revenue, Towle said. Those visitors made up 10 percent of the visitation the ski area would experience in a regular winter, he said. Lift ticket sales accounted for $80,316 of this winter's revenue and 3,503 tickets were sold. Other skiers and snowboarders who came used their season passes, he said. Board members excluded the press and audience members from a more detailed discussion of the ski area's finances, which took place behind closed doors. In spring 2014, the ski area took out a Small Business Administration disaster loan of $750,000 to stay afloat. Payments are now coming due, with a $3,100 payment due in February. Managers have said they have budgeted money to make the payments. Staff reporter Vickie Aldous can be reached at 541-776-4486 or [email protected] . Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/VickieAldous . By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Jan. 26, 2015 @ 8:04 pm » 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. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs 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. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. 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