Officials hopeful for a Dec. 13 opening; kick-off celebration set for Nov. 22 in Ashland
By Lee Juillerat for Ashland.news
There’s not enough snow for skiing and snowboarding at the Mt. Ashland Ski Area yet, but there’s plenty going on to keep folks busy.
Mt. Ashland will launch its Official Winter Kick-Off Celebration from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at Growler Guys, 345 Lithia Way, in Ashland. The free event is open to “all of our mountain and winter lovers,” according to a Mt. Ashland Facebook post. Downhill skiers and snowboarders are urged to “share in the stoke” for the upcoming 2025/2026 winter season. The event will also serve as a fundraiser for the Chairlift Replacement Project.
Attendees will receive a free raffle entry, with prizes awarded every 30 minutes. Prizes include a Mt. Ashland Season Pass, along with other items. The event will include live music and ski and snowboard waxes, beverages and food available for purchase.
Ashland Ace Hardware is the gathering’s title sponsor.
The area has also released lift ticket details for the 2025/2026 winter season and. According to ski area spokesman Gabby Conner, the mountain is “introducing new products designed to support skill progression and keep skiing and riding affordable for the region.”
Following the successful launch of the Lithia Chairlift last season, the area is introducing a Lower Lift ticket, which will provide access to all terrain served by the First Act, Sonnet, Lithia, and Comer lifts. Conner said the Lower Lift Ticket will give beginners and intermediate skiers and boarders “a clear path to progress as their confidence grows. Guests may begin with a Sonnet ticket and upgrade at any time, or opt for the Lower Lift ticket from the start.”
The new Bumblebee Trail, which was completed over the summer and will be opening for the 25-26 season, expands accessible easier terrain. The Lower Lift ticket is designed to include the majority of Mt. Ashland’s easier (green) and more difficult (blue) runs and provide “a focused, confidence-building experience for newer skiers and riders or those looking to get back into snowsports,” according to a press release.
The Lower Lift ticket will be $40 on weekends and holidays and $30 on weekdays.
In addition, there will be reduced prices for all-mountain weekday tickets — $55 for adults and $45 for children — a reduction of more than 23% from last season. Updated pricing charts are live on the mountain’s website. The charts outline weekend versus weekday price to “help guests easily navigate and select the best ticket option for their visit,” the release reads.
While many ski areas in Oregon are seeing higher price increases, Conner said Mt. Ashland will raise the cost for weekend lift tickets $3.
“The goal,” she said, “is to keep access to winter recreation affordable while supporting continued improvements on the Mountain.”
The 6-hour Twilight Ticket will increase in cost by only $1. Children 6 and under and seniors 70 and older will continue to ski for free every day of the week.
In another change, to meet recent demand, Mt. Ashland will expand its weekday operations for the first time in years. Throughout January, the ski area will open on Wednesdays at the newly reduced weekday pricing.
“This pilot program responds to strong community interest in additional weekday skiing and snowboarding,” Conner said. “Guests are encouraged to take advantage of Wednesday operations to help support the expanded schedule.”
She said the upcoming season “marks a critical phase in Mt. Ashland’s multi-year Chairlift Replacement Project. The Ski Area has set an $8-million fundraising goal to upgrade the Windsor and Ariel chairlifts over the next two years. Guests can expect a series of fundraising efforts and events throughout the season,” including the upcoming Winter Kick-Off Celebration.
Ski area officials are hoping the ’25-’26 season will kick off with a Dec. 13 opening. Along with welcoming skiers and riders back to the mountain, visitors will see the results of “historic” off-season of improvements, including a new guest plaza, the addition of night lighting to two more ski trails (Poma and Lupine), and Bumblebee, Mt. Ashland’s first new ski trail in four decades.
As General Manager Andrew Gast puts it, “We’ll see you on the mountain.”
Email freelance writer Lee Juillerat at [email protected].
