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57 °F Forecast | Road Cams Wednesday, January 26, 2005 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Opportunities Moving to Southern Oregon? MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds 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 Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend December 16, 2004 Ski area to stay open despite dwindling snowpack ASHLAND — Mount Ashland Ski & Snowboard Resort managers plan to stay open despite unseasonably warm temperatures and the affect they’ve had on the slopes. The snowpack had diminished to 28 inches at the base and 40 inches at the top as of Wednesday morning. Skiers and snowboarders have faced hard-packed, crusty snow in the morning followed by wet conditions in the afternoon, according to Rick Saul, marketing director for the ski area. Cold temperatures Tuesday night allowed groomers to operate over much of the mountain and create many power-tilled runs, according to this morning’s snow report. The ski area gets some protection from the sun’s heat because of its north-facing location, Saul said. However, managers are aware that the ski area remains at the mercy of the weather, especially if a rain storm comes through. Advertisement "It would take a considerable amount of rain to wipe us out," Saul said. "We are vulnerable. We’re not going into Christmas break thinking we’re totally safe." Rain — or snow, for that matter — on the mountain is unlikely, at least for the next week, according to the National Weather Service’s Medford forecast office. Partly cloudy to mostly sunny skies are expected through Monday, with lows in the 20s and highs in the low 40s to mid-50s. Saul said the ski area could lose 20 percent of the entire season’s revenue if conditions warrant a mid-season closure over Christmas break. A reserve fund is maintained for bad seasons. The week after Christmas is especially busy for the ski area, he noted. Night skiing will begin tonight as planned, with hours from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, he said. The ski area opens daily at 9 a.m. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Student Loan Consolidation Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers