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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend November 23, 2005 Kim Clark Ski veteran will be Mt. Ashland supervisor By BILL KETTLER Mail Tribune A veteran of three decades in the winter-sports industry has been hired to supervise the day-to-day operations of the Mount Ashland ski area. Kim Clark, 49, will fill the newly created position of manager of operations. Jeff Hanson, Mount Ashland’s general manager, will devote his time to the ski area’s expansion project. "I’m not here by any means to replace Jeff," Clark said. The board of directors of the nonprofit ski area decided to hire an operations manager after an outside consultant suggested Hanson had too much work for one person. Clark’s enthusiasm and experience set him above some 70 other applicants for the job, said Bill Little, president of the board of directors. Advertisement "He has a passion for the snow sports industry that I loved," Little said. Clark said he and his wife, Tracy, were attracted by Southern Oregon’s natural beauty and the favorable reputation that the Mount Ashland ski area enjoys among people in the winter-sports business. "I talked to people I know in the industry about Mount Ashland," he said. "Every one of my contacts just raved about the ski area and the (Southern Oregon) area as a whole." Clark said he has done "virtually every job in the ski industry" during his 31-year career in snow sports. Little said he was impressed that Clark took time to talk to current employees when he was introduced and to respond to their questions and comments. "He seems to have real good people skills," Little said. Clark comes to Mount Ashland after five years at Arizona Snowbowl, a winter sports area near Prescott that’s similar to Mount Ashland in size and scale. Both ski areas operate on land managed by the U.S. Forest Service. Snowbowl has 32 trails and four chairlifts. Mount Ashland has 25 trails and four chairlifts, and its expansion plan calls for adding 16 new trails and two chairlifts. Opponents of the Mount Ashland expansion have sued the U.S. Forest Service to block the expansion. Oral arguments in the case are expected to begin after the beginning of the year. Clark is no stranger to court battles involving winter sports. Arizona Snowbowl’s plan to make artificial snow with treated wastewater drew opposition from American Indian tribes that view Snowbowl’s high-altitude terrain in the San Francisco Peaks as sacred space. Six tribes sued the U.S. Forest Service, which approved Snowbowl’s plan, and the case is now being heard in a federal court. Clark said his goal this season is to make "as few ripples as I can" in an organization that’s running smoothly. Call Bill Kettler at 776-4492, or e-mail Ski veteran will be Mt. Ashland supervisor ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Computer Security Discount Hotel Reservations Casinos Canada dvd-r Generic Viagra Myspace Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Student Loans Sudoku Online Advertisement s Advertisement