Reviving Part of Our Past

It has been exciting to launch our 60th anniversary “Elevate Mt. Ashland” vision, and with it the first new chairlift in over 30 years. The Lithia Chairlift is more than just a new chair, it is the revival of our upper beginner terrain that we enjoyed for the first few decades of our history. With the fanfare of our announcement calming, here are some more details about the Lithia Chairlift:

Replaces the former Poma lift- following nearly the same alignment.
Fixed grip, triple-seat chairs.
Five tower chairlift to be manufactured by SkyTrac.

The Lithia Chair will serve Beginner and Intermediate terrain. From the lodge, skiers will access the lift by skiing down Aisle 1 to the loading area- near where the beacon park is now. The short ride will end at the very top of the Sonnet slope, providing access to all trails that come off that hill in every direction. The trails currently known as Lodge Poma (beginner) and Poma (intermediate) will now be able to be skied without having to go all the way to the Comer chair and without any hiking. Additional beginner terrain that is already approved in the current master plan is also possible from the top of the Sonnet hill. This project is a priority due to the need for a more well-rounded beginner program and learning progression for novice skiers and snowboarders.

This 1979 Mt. Ashland trail map shows the location of the former Poma lift, at the lower left corner with very similar alignment and locations of the new Lithia Chair:

Or, for another perspective here is our current trail map with a new red line showing an estimation of the Lithia Chair:

Starting work on the Lithia Chair is possible due to the largest gift in our history- $2 million from the Sid & Karen Deboer Foundation and an additional $500,000 from Sid & Karen Deboer.

Survey and engineering work is underway now. Pending USFS review of engineered plans, construction will begin in summer 2024.

The Lithia name pays homage to the tourism roots of Ashland, when the local mineral springs drew visitors from around the country starting in the 1910s. Many of our community’s favorite gathering places bare the name: Lithia Park, Lithia Plaza, and the historic Lithia Springs Hotel. And who hasn’t taken a sip from the lithia water fountain on their first visit to Ashland? Although a departure from the more common Shakespeare-themed names, we do have precedent for other names with the Comer Chairlift, Dan’s Run, Rodger’s Way, and others.

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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