With only 16 inches of snow as of Sunday, only Lithia chairlift and First Act Learning Carpet are expected to operate
By Lee Juillerat for Ashland.news
Recent snow, although still well below average, is expected to allow Mt. Ashland Ski Area to open on a limited basis Monday, Dec. 29.
Although this season’s snowfall is 70% below average, the area’s Lithia chairlift, along with the First Act Learning Carpet, are open for skiers and snowboarders. Until more snow allows other chairs to operate, all lift tickets will be $18.
General manager Andrew Gast said plans to open the Sonnet chairlift were held back because of the lack of snow. As of Sunday, the mountain had only 16 inches. He said the ski hill normally requires 2- to 2-1/2-feet of snow to open. (Update: The ski area reports it also opened Sonnet and Comer chairs Monday morning.)
The current terrain rundown for Mt. Ashland includes:
- Sonnet and Lithia chairlifts and First Act Learning Carpet open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The opening for Sonnet, designed for for beginner and novice skiers, has been delayed to a to-be announced date.
- Bumblebee remains closed with a grand opening at a to-be announced date.
- Staff are working to build a smaller terrain park on Lupine. Lupine and Poma will be open only for expert skiers and riders.
- Comer, Windsor and Ariel chairlifts and all terrain accessed by those lifts are closed until there is sufficient snowfall.
“We understand this isn’t ideal, but we are doing what we can to open in some capacity and welcome all of our staff and incredible community back to the Mountain,” officials said in a news release. They also emphasized that with a thin, limited snowpack, “Any activity off the groomed piste in early season is EXPERT ONLY.”
All core services are available on a variable basis with lessons, rentals, and the retail shop fully open, while the T-Bar Lounge and Gemütlichkeit Grill are operating with limited menus.
No sledding is allowed at the ski area at any time.
Ski hill officials also reported on the Windsor Chairlift Replacement Project. According to a news release, “Every ski area has one piece of infrastructure that quietly holds everything together. At Mt. Ashland, that piece is the Windsor chairlift. If Windsor goes down, the entire mountain feels it immediately. That’s why we’re talking about replacing it now.
“Based on a recent routine inspection, vital components of Windsor Chairlift are at the end of their life. With the impending need to replace these crucial components and the seven-figure expense of conducting those repairs, Mt. Ashland Association has deemed the replacement of Windsor Chairlift, the portal to our Mountain, the more time sensitive and critical upgrade.
“With the deadlines for payments for the 2026 replacement of both chairs quickly approaching, unless the funds can be raised in time, the replacement of Windsor will take priority in 2026 with Ariel Chairlift following in 2027. We know this is not ideal, but this tough decision will need to be made in order to sustain our Ski Area’s financial integrity.”
The two chairlifts were installed more than 45 years ago and, according to the ski hill, “these lifts have served the mountain and its visitors for decades but are now outdated, increasingly costly to maintain, and less efficient by modern standards. The replacement project will install two new fixed-grip triple chairlifts that are safer, more reliable, and significantly faster. These upgrades will enhance access to key terrain, reduce lift lines, improve operational efficiency, and ensure a consistent and comfortable experience for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities. In addition, these modern lifts will be more energy-efficient and resilient to wind and weather.”
The Mt. Ashland Association board of directors is currently matching donations up to $150,000, “so right now your gift goes twice as far! That means your $50 becomes $100. Your $200 becomes $400. Your impact doubles — just when we need it most. It doesn’t matter how much because even a little truly goes a long way.”
For more information about how to donate, details about the project, along with updated information on the status of which chairlifts and runs are open for skiers and riders, visit the website at mtashland.com or call 541-482-2897.
Email freelance writer Lee Juillerat at [email protected].
Dec. 29: Corrected name of Comer (not Comet) chairlift, added update that Sonnet and Comer chairs opened Monday morning after all.
Related stories:
Mt. Ashland Ski Area opens Monday with limited terrain (Dec. 27, 2025)
Mt. Ashland Ski Area opening delayed indefinitely (Dec. 14, 2025)
Mt. Ashland Ski Area lowers weekday prices to boost off-peak visits (Nov. 25, 2025)
Mt. Ashland Ski Area prepping for winter season (Nov. 6, 2025)
