Mountain Operations Update: Continued Closure 2.05.2025

The Mt. Ashland Ski Area Team regrets to announce that we are forced to remain CLOSED on Thursday, February 6th. We will be issuing refunds to all individuals with reservations for tomorrow so please expect an email from us.

As of 7:00 pm, the Ski Area is still without power, and the revised estimate for restoration is 10:00 am tomorrow. Originally, we anticipated power being restored this afternoon, so this new estimate time is still uncertain.

Impact of Power Outage: The primary power source for all of our chairlifts is the main electric line and the lifts cannot load guests on generator power. Even if power is restored overnight, our team requires electricity to hand shovel snow for all five chairlift terminals.

Let us explain:

Our groomers can only get so close to the lifts and the bottom terminals, in particular, require substantial effort from a crew of individuals to dig them out. If we have to extract that personnel, in the event of an emergency, it is essential to have both phone and radio communication with the outside world, as well as power at the patrol rooms and lift stations. Clearing the terminals manually is a time-intensive process, and as such, it is not feasible to have the mountain prepared in time for a timely opening.

We’ve received reports of approximately four feet of snow so far, and it continues to accumulate.

The power outage means that communication on mountain is very limited, and our webcams are offline. Due to the significant snow accumulation, the only means of transport across the mountain are our snowcats. If there is no power, to protect Mt. Ashland staff, we do not have any personnel outside on the mountain other than inside a snow cat. These snowcats have been crucial for transporting essential personnel to various locations, such as the water supply station. And these same cats that have had to move critical personnel around the mountain are also the ones that need to winch to maintain our trails and build and maintain snowed over roads just to be able to safely open our mountain to our guests

In simple terms, without power, we are unable to operate. The suspension of Mountain Operations and snowcat activity yesterday was a major setback.

Closure tomorrow: As of 8:30 am tomorrow, the Mountain will be CLOSED to all. The only personnel authorized to be within Ski Area boundaries are Ski Patrol, Mountain Operations Crew and Staff and personnel critical to getting Mt. Ashland Ski Area open.

Porta Potty Update: We initiated contact with porta potty companies beginning early Sunday morning and finally secured a company on Monday willing to deliver the necessary 15 units and provide regular cleaning. On Tuesday, the porta potty company was unable to complete delivery due to road closures on I-5. Finally today, 8 units were delivered, and we now have functioning toilets on site.

While we are making progress on the water supply system, we are unable to test anything until power is restored.

A Challenging Situation: This is undoubtedly a perfect storm, both literally and figuratively. We continue to navigate numerous challenges, but our team is determined to reopen as soon as we possibly can.

We sincerely appreciate the positive thoughts and support we’ve received from our community as we work through these difficulties. We will continue to update you tomorrow on the plans to reopen!

Please read carefully! This is a release of liability and a waiver of certain legal rights.
The purchaser, holder and/or user of this pass or any person named on this pass application (“participant”) understands that skiing, snowboarding and other winter activities (“skiing”) can be hazardous and that injuries are common when participating in such activities. Participant accepts and assumes the risks associated with skiing, including, but not limited to, changing weather conditions, variations or steepness in terrain, terrain features and parks, snow or ice conditions, surface or subsurface conditions, bare spots, creeks and gullies, forest growth, rocks, stumps, the use of lifts, collisions with natural or manmade objects or other persons, avalanches, snow immersion, equipment failure, no or delayed first aid rescue, grooming and snowmobile equipment, lift towers and other structures and their components, falling, loss of control, and exceeding one’s ability. Participant hereby freely and expressly assumes any and all risk of property damage, injury and death associated with skiing.
In consideration for lift access and the use of any other area facilities and premises, participant hereby agrees to release, hold harmless, and indemnify Mt. Ashland association, dba Mt. Ashland and its owners, partners, members, employees, directors, officers, agents, affiliates, and related entities (“Mt. Ashland”) from any and all claims by or on behalf of participant against Mt. Ashland arising directly or indirectly out of participant’s use of this pass and/or the area facilities and premises. This release includes claims and liabilities arising from negligence on the part of Mt. Ashland, but does not include claims based upon gross negligence or intentional misconduct. Participant also agrees to indemnify (including costs and attorney fees) Mt. Ashland for any claim brought on behalf of any minor named on this season pass application.
Participant understands that, instead of entering into this agreement, participant may purchase a day ticket. Participant is free to participate in skiing at Mt. Ashland without using any ski area lifts or uphill conveyances, subject to any applicable rules of use.
1. A Season Pass is a weather-dependent product and is non-refundable, non-transferable and may not be rolled over from one season to the next. Use by any other person will result in forfeiture of the Season Pass. However we understand that unexpected circumstances can occur and exceptions will be made under limited circumstances. Pro-rated Season Pass refunds are given for: 1.) documented relocation out of the area or 2.) documented illness, injury, or pregnancy. All refund requests must be received by February 15th of the year the season pass in question is valid. All refunds are at the discretion of Mt. Ashland. A $50 processing fee will be charged for all refund requests.
2. The undersigned agree(s) to abide by all federal, state, and ski area statutes, rules, regulations and closures including, but not limited to ORS 30.970 - 30.990 and “Your Responsibility Code”
3. There is a $25.00 charge for the replacement of any lost Season Pass. The undersigned agree(s) to notify the ski area immediately if a Season Pass is lost. The ski area will issue one complimentary lift ticket, per season, per pass holder, if a Season Pass is forgotten. After that, a lift ticket must be purchased.
4. The Season Pass must be displayed in a manner that allows for easy checking or scanning by ski area employees.
5. Eligibility for an Adaptive Season Pass is within the sole discretion of the ski area and medical proof may be required.
6. Violation of any of these terms and conditions may result in suspension and/or revocation of a Season Pass. A Season Pass may be revoked without refund at any time for misconduct or nuisance caused by the Participant.

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