Extensive repairs were needed after a falling tree tilted a tower

By Lee Juillerat for Ashland.news

Things are happening at the Mt. Ashland Ski Area.

Last year the area didn’t open until Jan. 11. It opened nearly a month earlier this winter thanks to a deluge of snow.

But that isn’t all. The first new chairlift in more than 35 years, the Lithia Chair, started operation on Dec. 14 and provides a variety of terrain for beginning and advanced skiers and snowboarders. Along with opening new terrain, the Lithia Chair is intended to better handle high winds.

More recently, Mt. Ashland announced the opening of Ariel Chair on Thursday, Dec. 26. The chair had been closed for repairs after Ariel Chair Tower 8 was struck by a fallen tree that forced the chairlift’s closure at the start of the winter season. According to Andrew Gast, Mt. Ashland’s general manager, “Staff have worked vigorously since Nov. 22nd to repair the chairlift.”

Gast said the tree “squarely hit the downloading side of tower 8, destroying the sheaves and halo, damaging the sheave train, and resting on the cable under tension. The tree was removed by professional tree fellers, taking them about 11 hours to navigate the hillside, snow, and complications from the tension on the chairlift systems.

“The repairs,” he said, “required a complete rebuild of the damaged sheave train, using new sheaves, and with the bushings for the sheaves no longer available, they needed to be custom fabricated. It was extensive to rebuild the sheave terrain, reinstall it, and set the cable in alignment. The tower halo also required to be rebuilt in the shop. These repairs followed the prescription set by the Riblet chairlift engineer and the ANSI code. The next step was an elaborate process to de-tension the chairlift, inspect the cable, and re-tension the chairlift. Upon completion of repairs, the chair underwent rigorous testing to prepare for loading guests.”

Gast praised the crew for “the outstanding work of their lift maintenance team. They have attacked this challenge with great focus. It is difficult to balance this repair work while four other lifts are operating- all while also bringing a new chairlift online. Mt. Ashland Ski Area is incredibly grateful for the team’s diligence, dedication, and hard work.”

Gast said the opening of the new Lithia Chair and repairs to the Ariel Chair mean “Mt. Ashland’s holiday season is in full swing.”

More changes are coming. The Poma run, rated as more difficult, will be more accessible with the Lithia Chair. In another change, the Lodge Poma trail is being renamed Lupine, “marking the beginning of an evolution in the resort’s terrain.” The master plan also includes the addition of a new easy trail, for beginners, Bumblebee.

Although Mt. Ashland which has been known as a mountain for experienced skiers and snowboarders, Gast said the Lithia Chair makes the area is now better accessible for all levels. “This chairlift is a game-changers for our guests,” he said. “It’s going to improve access to new learning terrain and enhance the overall experience for our community, whether they’re beginners or experienced skiers.”

The project has been years in the making, with initial plans drawn up in 2004 as part of the ski area’s Master Development Plan. Since 2022 the resort has worked with the U.S. Forest Service to complete all necessary environmental surveys. SkyTrac, the chairlift’s contractor, broke ground on Sept. 1 and completed the construction in just 54 days. Testing and safety inspections were done before the lift was cleared for operation.

The Lithia Chair project was made possible by the largest gift in Mt. Ashland’s history, a $2 million donation from the Sid and Karen DeBoer Foundation, along with an additional $500,000 contribution from the DeBoers.

Named after the famous Lithia Springs, the Lithia Chairlift honors the area’s tourism roots. According to a news release, ‘While Mt. Ashland has traditionally used Shakespeare-themed names, the resort has broken with tradition in this instance, choosing to honor the local history instead. The name Lithia is a nod to the community’s deep connection to its natural springs, which helped shape the region’s cultural and economic development.”

Future plans including adding night skiing. The Poma, Lupine, and Bumblebee trails are scheduled to be lighted for evening operations in the 2025-2026 season. After they are installed, the trails will provide designated areas for elementary and middle school alpine teams to practice and race, and also host adult race leagues.

Gast also encourages people to take advantage of the Christmas-New Year’s season – “The holidays are for spending time with loved ones and booking a lesson for the entire family is the perfect gift! The ski area’s incredible snowsports team is ready to help a novice skier or snowboarder progress or help a more intermediate skier take it to the next level! Guests can reserve their lessons online and then book rentals ahead of time so they’ll be more than prepared once a day on the mountain arrives. After a lesson, guests can order a delicious meal from Gemutlichkeit Grill and grab a drink in the T-Bar Lounge!”

To learn more about Mt. Ashland, including upcoming events, visit the website at mtashland.com.

Email freelance writer Lee Juillerat at [email protected].