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3 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 Emergency services App Finder: Great garden apps MSD considers adding a health center at one of the city's high schools Lost Creek Lake algae bloom subsides Jackson County proposes wide pot buffers Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services Minor injuries reported in rollover crash near hospital Judge upholds Phoenix's moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries Police arrest teen in Medford graffiti spree Medford machete attack leads to attempted murder charge Politics and Elections Judge upholds Phoenix's moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries Ballots on Jackson County marijuana tax go out Friday Brown's inauguration brings hope to local lawmakers Kate Brown sworn in as Oregon's 38th governor Gov. Kitzhaber steps down, federal investigation begins Education MSD considers adding a health center at one of the city's high schools Absenteeism in Oregon schools prompts bill that would tie funding to attendance, not enrollment Territorial Seed contribution a boost for SOU food program 200-plus Jackson County students miss vaccination deadline Medford, Ashland districts fall short of anti-bullying standards Environment Lost Creek Lake algae bloom subsides Lost Creek Lake logjam could become hazard for boaters Made in the Shade Controlled burn planned for Ashland watershed on Friday Coho salmon road trip State News Oregon official says he was questioned by FBI, IRS Hayes wants her private emails protected Oregon Senate votes unanimously to outlaw 'revenge porn' Judge: Oracle must host Oregon's Medicaid system Oregon Coast fish could be from Japanese tsunami Nation - World Obituaries Pamela Sue Banuelos Judith Ann Miller Rita Launa Stitt Ursula E. Johnson Thomas H. Smith Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Bank of America is predicting a massive Tesla collapse Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society This $1 million Mercedes is like an armored private jet for the road Sports Latest Stories No. 7 Arizona has little trouble with Colorado LeBron scores 42 as Cavs top Warriors Stanford too much for Beavers, 75-48 Stanford spoils OSU party LeBron unhappy over recruiting of son, 10 Varsity 541 College Sports No. 7 Arizona has little trouble with Colorado Stanford too much for Beavers, 75-48 Stanford spoils OSU party Raiders, Owls meet in '14 title rematch Oregon will take care of its athletes Pro Sports LeBron scores 42 as Cavs top Warriors LeBron unhappy over recruiting of son, 10 No word on discipline for Hamilton Herman takes first-day lead at Honda Matthews, Blazers sink Spurs Community Sports Business Latest Stories Ride & Drive: 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Lithia Motors scores record revenue, net earnings in 4Q and 2014 Bad fourth quarter leads to 2014 loss for Erickson Avista's 4Q earnings of $32.2 million fall short of expectations Lodging gains bode well for travel industries Real Estate News Housing prices climb 9 percent in Jackson County Big plans on the Butte Homes for the long haul People In Business People in Business People in Business Transportation Lodging gains bode well for travel industries Medford airport flies past January record Agriculture Warm winter has fruit growers poised for action Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 1-800-Flowers dumps Harry & David execs Opinion Latest Our View: School attendance bill could backfire Letters to the Editor, Feb. 27 Guest Opinion: Predatory banking practices bilk citizens Arthur I. Cyr: Iran nuclear accord – tough negotiations, at home and abroad Letters to the Editor, Feb. 26 Editorials Our View: School attendance bill could backfire Our View: Higher education still getting too little Our View: Adjusting for unintended consequences Our View: Homeless food proposal is the best solution yet Our View: Smell of trouble may spark marijuana limits Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Feb. 27 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 26 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 25 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 24 Feb. 23: Letters to the editor Columns Guest Opinion: Predatory banking practices bilk citizens Dana Milbank: The Homeland Security fiasco Guest Opinion: Is less education the answer? Michelle Teheux: Will we keep heading down the wrong path? Kathleen Parker: Twitter as America's conscience Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Predatory banking practices bilk citizens Guest Opinion: Is less education the answer? Guest Opinion: Bill would shore up legal aid funding Guest Opinion: Weed killers should not be sprayed on streams, homes Guest Opinion: Understanding Wes Cooley Lifestyle Latest stories Looking Up: Shining under your feet Fishing Report: Friday, Feb. 27 Winging it Dry-dock inspections this weekend Get Out: Friday, Feb. 27 Food Page H. Onorato: Hot dogs I have known and loved Season Stepp: Tips for roasting vegetables Tammy Kelly: Here’s to healthier Mex! Prudence Hilburn: Chocolate wins favor among fans of many flavors Maple: It's not just for syrup Home and Garden Specialty painting adds wow to your walls Dear Monty: Home seller questions agent ethics Home Help: Low-maintenance landscaping ideas Garden Cameos: Winter is the time to prune How to install energy-efficient windows the right way Health Community blog: Finding Your Indomitable Spirit to Defeat Addiction Dr. Murray Feingold: ‘Beet’ high blood pressure with borscht Community blog: And if I Die Before I Wake Dr. Murray Feingold: Does a sedentary lifestyle make you prone to disease? Dr. Jeff Hersh: Breathe easy - all about lung function Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs, Feb. 27 Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 20 Religion News: Pope makes surprise shantytown visit Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 13 RELIGION BRIEFS, Feb. 6 Milestones and Achievements Anniversary: Hofer New arrivals: Sunday, Feb. 8 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Great Outdoor Grill offers healthful options HAPA plays the Historic Ashland Armory An all-new Rising Stars music competition kicks off this weekend Ronny Cox plays the Unitarian Fellowship SOU presents 'She Stoops to Conquer' Theater SOU presents 'She Stoops to Conquer' 'The Glass Menagerie' is polished and professional OSF kicks off its 2015 season SOU presents 'The Glass Menagerie' Le Cirque presents 'City Walk' Music HAPA plays the Historic Ashland Armory An all-new Rising Stars music competition kicks off this weekend Ronny Cox plays the Unitarian Fellowship Professor Gall plays Oberon's Tavern Live Music in Local Clubs Community Events Third Fridays showcases local artists Southern Oregon Rod and Custom Show Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jacksonville celebrates Chinese New Year Dining Great Outdoor Grill offers healthful options Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015 Saigon Xich Lo Vietnamese cuisine The zwickels shall flow Soo Rah Korean Cuisine Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Emergency services ... Mail Tribune 100: Feb. 27, 1915 ... Our View: School attendance bill could backfire ... Emergency services ... Mail Tribune 100: Feb. 27, 1915 ... Our View: School attendance bill could backfire ... ON THE SLOPES Mt. Ashland draws a crowd for sunny skiing Surprise storm allowed area to reopen By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 15, 2015 @ 11:01 pm Updated Feb 16, 2015 at 10:56 AM By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 15, 2015 @ 11:01 pm Updated Feb 16, 2015 at 10:56 AM » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Following a rocky start to its 2014-2015 season, the Mt. Ashland Ski Area saw thousands of visitors this past week after being closed for more than a month. When the mountain failed to open for the 2013-2014 season because of a lack of snow, many feared that the ski area would have to close for good if it didn't open this year. The mountain opened its first lift, on the Sonnet beginner's run, Dec. 19, but the ski area closed the next day because of low snow levels. After a Christmas Eve storm dumped another 11 inches of snow, the park reopened until Jan. 12, when it shut down again. As a result of the closure, the park laid off all but five of its 139 employees. Salvation came in the form of a surprise snow storm in early February.  "We got 19 inches the last storm," said general manager Hiram Towle. "The forecast had originally called for rain." As of Saturday morning, the ski area had accumulated 22 inches of snow at the base and 53 inches in the bowl. As a result of the snowfall, the resort has hired back all 134 employees who had been laid off and opened all of its lifts. Enough visitors turned out that by Saturday afternoon, employees had opened a new 100-car section of the parking lot and directed even more vehicles to park along the roadside when that lot reached capacity. "It's like we had never closed," Towle said, watching dozens of skiers gliding down the Juliet run.  Ashland resident Eugene Wier was one of the thousands who flocked to the mountain this week, partly, he said, because of its location and also because it's one of the only places that tolerates his chosen snow-conveyance device: the snow skate. Snow skates are one-piece boards that are shorter than traditional snowboards and lack bindings, instead relying on a non-slip deck like a skateboard. Wier said he took up snow-skating about four years ago, saying it offered more of a challenge than snowboarding. Snow skates have become increasingly popular in the past decade, but ski areas that permit them are hard to find. Wier said Mt. Ashland and Timberline on Mount Hood are the only ski areas in the state that allow their use. "Whatever kind of snow play you're into is awesome," he said. "Whatever keeps people coming up here keeps this place open." The ski area, started in 1963 by Southern Oregon residents, has been community owned for the past 21 years. Kasey Hayden was among the large percentage of visitors for whom Mount Ashland is their only snow-sport destination. "This is kind of it for us," Hayden said. "If there's no snow, that's it." Towle said that by the end of the week, the ski area will likely surpass 10,000 visitors for the season, of which the mountain has been open for 19 days. While those numbers are good given the limited days the ski park has been open, he said, the park's historical average is over 70,000. Towle said the ski area plans to maintain its existing schedule of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Monday (schedule corrected) for the duration of the season. Just how long that will be is anyone's guess. The National Weather Service forecast for the coming week has highs in the 60s for the valley and near 50 for the ski area, with no mention of precipitation. Reach reporter Thomas Moriarty at 541-776-4471, or by email at [email protected] . Follow him at @ThomasDMoriarty . By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 15, 2015 @ 11:01 pm Updated Feb 16, 2015 at 10:56 AM » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » 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. 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