Andrew Gast, general manager of the Mt. Ashland Ski Area, had hoped that this Saturday would be opening day for skiing this season, but he admitted defeat on Thursday, despite the latest snowstorm. Things are now day to day, while he, a couple hundred employees and untold numbers of skiers wait for more snow.
A new policy being inaugurated this winter at the Mt. Ashland Ski Area to limit uphill access, used mainly by backcountry skiers and snowboarders, is being challenged by some but is being defended by ski area managers.
With more than $1 million in improvements and more night skiing, Mt. Ashland Ski Area is ready to launch its 60th season of winter sports.More events are also planned at the nonprofit resort. Opening day is Saturday, Dec. 9, if the area receives enough snow.
Rich Fairbanks will discuss both contemporary and indigenous management practices during a Friday night talk, “History and Ecology of Fire in the Monument,” from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Ashland Food Co-op Community Classroom. On Saturday, Fairbanks will lead a hike on the Green Springs Mountain Loop Trail.
Mt. Ashland will install its first new chairlift since the 1980s with support from the largest gift the nonprofit has ever received. Karen and Sid DeBoer donated $500,0000 toward the new feature, and their foundation is giving $2 million. To be called the Lithia Chair, it will be placed where a Poma surface lift was removed in the 1980s and will open more beginner and intermediate terrain.
It’s been 34 years, nine months and 24 days since Mark Sherbow had missed a day of running at least a mile.
But, because he’s facing upcoming hip replacement surgery and a trip to Europe, the 64-year-old Ashland school teacher will close out his 12,681-day running streak Sunday with family and friends at Ashland’s Lithia Park.
KS Wild Side: Are the nearby rivers, creeks and lakes clean enough to swim in? Rogue Riverkeeper’s Swim Guide has the answer.
Summer activities at Mt. Ashland are winding down. Only four days – Saturday and Sunday Aug. 5 and 6 and Aug. 19 and 20 — remain for the Youth Adventure Days program for youth age 7 to 12. While the youth programs are ending, the lodge and café will remain open on weekends until Sept. 3.
A new multifaceted festival celebrating a special corner of Southern Oregon is scheduled for this weekend. The Siskiyou Crest: A Festival of Art, Culture and Science will run from Friday through Sunday, July 14-16, at Pacifica Garden, 14615 Water Gap Road, in Williams. Activities will begin at 10 a.m. each day.
Mt. Ashland begins a new summer program, Youth Adventure Days, this weekend. The program targets youth who are 7- to 12-years-old and, according to officials, gives them “the opportunity to make friends and explore all Mt. Ashland has to offer during the summer.”
Community adults who would like to pass on knowledge and skills to others for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute’s spring term are invited to submit course proposals by Friday, Dec. 15.
Reader photos: Friday evening, on the second night of Hanukkah, some 70 people gathered on Ashland Plaza to hold a vigil for a permanent Gaza cease-fire in the light of newly lit menorah candles.
Ashland Parks & Recreation Commissioners listened to a litany of mostly good news at their regular business meeting Wednesday, including a new PVC liner for the Daniel Meyer Pool at a cost of $61,000 and opening a new mountain bike trail.
Obituary: Margaret McCartney died Dec. 4 at 83. Memorial services are planned for 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 11, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 44 N. 2nd St., Ashland.
Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has announced plans to offer free opioid overdose reversal kits to middle and high schools throughout the state. Ashland Superintendent Samuel Bogdanove shared his support for the increase in availability of Narcan, the brand name for a device that delivers naloxone, to Oregon schools, including in Ashland.
With local rescue groups still overflowing with cats and kittens, those wishing to bring home a new family member for the holidays will have opportunities to do so on two upcoming December weekends. On Saturday, Dec. 9, Ashland-based Friends of the Animals (formerly Friends of the Animal Shelter) will partner with Feral Cat Advocacy (FCA), Melly Cat Rescue, and Hero Tails Animal Sanctuary for a Feline Fair at the Rogue Valley Mall.
(It’s free)