Opening day falls on the 60th anniversary of first-ever opening in 1964
By Lee Juillerat for Ashland.news
It’s taken longer than usual but the wait is almost over. The Mt. Ashland Ski Area will open for the season Thursday.
Despite the later than usual opening, Thursday’s opening is fitting because Mt. Asland’s 60th anniversary season will begin exactly 60 years to the day after its first-ever opening in 1964.
After a slow start to winter, the mountain has received more than 18 inches of snow in the past week, enabling crews to begin preparation work this past weekend. Ski patrol and grooming teams are working on final preparations now and all lower mountain lifts are expected to be open Thursday. The ski area will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and plans to offer beginner, intermediate and advanced terrain for downhill skiers and snowboarders.
“We are excited to open for our 60th anniversary season and welcome the community back to Mt. Ashland,” said Andrew Gast, Mt. Ashland’s general manager — adding of the coincidence, “It was completely not on purpose but we are greatly excited.”
Snowfall from the weekend storm was greater than expected — and even more is predicted. “Things are looking good. The latest storm has helped us build a good snow base for opening, and the forecast calls for 9-to-18 inches of new snow in the next few days. It’s been great to see our team on the mountain and we’re ready to kick off our season.”
Gast said Mt. Ashland calls the first day of the season “Day Onesie.” Guests who arrive wearing any one-piece style of clothing can win prizes. The first 60 guests in the lift lines will receive a commemorative 60th anniversary neck tube.
All mountain services will be open, including the Granite Grill Restaurant, Siskiyou Mountain Sports retail shop and the Snowsports Center, which offers equipment rentals and lessons for skiing and snowboarding.
Shuttle service to and from the mountain will be relaunched later this winter but is not currently operating.
Lift tickets are $67 for adults 13-70, $57 for youth under 7 and free for children up to age 6 or seniors 70 and older. Lift tickets for opening day can be reserved online for a 10% advance discount.
Mt. Ashland plans to be open Thursdays through Mondays after Thursday’s opening day. Twilight skiing sessions are scheduled to begin on Thursday, Jan. 18. New for this winter, Mt. Ashland is adding an extra night of twilight skiing to open on Saturdays until 9 p.m. through February.
For more information, call the Mt. Ashland Ski Area at 541-482-2897 or visit mtashland.com.
Email freelance writer Lee Juillerat at 337lee337@charter.net.
