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Ski Ashland protest hits slopes Bob Pennell photo About 20 opponents of Ski Ashland's proposed expansion donned their skis and snowboards Saturday morning to make their opinions known on a slope near Ski Ashland's lodge. Protesters took to the slopes Saturday morning in opposition to the proposed expansion of Ski Ashland. About 20 skiers and snowboarders made their way from the parking lot to the chairlift carrying protest signs. Other protestors looked on in support. Jay Lininger, one of the event's organizers, estimated there were 35 to 40 people involved. Lininger said Saturday's event, and a rally Friday in Ashland, were organized to show concern about the expansion. "Mainly, the skiers and snowboarders who are opposed to the expansion plan wanted to demonstrate that there is no consensus among skiers and snowboarders," he said. "It's not as clear cut as skiers vs. environmentalists." Ski area officials said the protest did not create significant problems. "It was real smooth," said Jeff Hanson, the ski area's manager. "Ashland is a place of diverse opinions and I think it's only fair that people can express those." Hanson said the protestors and other skiers did banter with one another but that the discussions were orderly. "Most of it was quite civil," he said. The $3.3 million expansion proposed includes a new chairlift, expand parking and build a 4,200-square-foot, midmountain lodge at the bottom of the area known as the Bowl. The plan has drawn criticism from groups concerned about the environmental impact. Specifically, they are concerned about the impact on the watershed feeding the city of Ashland, rare plants and the McDonald Peak roadless area. Supporters say the ski area needs to expand because of crowded conditions and to create more intermediate and novice ski trails. While he termed the number of people opposing the expansion as "fairly small," Hanson said it is important for the ski area to work with all aspects of the community. At Friday's rally, dozens of people gathered in downtown Ashland, at times blocking traffic on Main Street. Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA