Mt. Ashland Ski Area
I didn’t grow up skiing — downhill or cross-country. The few times I went, I mostly fell down, cursed, and then mixed up my skis in the process of somehow becoming vertical again. But I’ve always been enamored of the idea of it. There’s a mystique, isn’t there — coming in from the slopes, cold and tired, to warm up with a hot toddy and gaze out those big windows at the drifting snow.
Luckily, there’s a place just 30 minutes from the door of the Chanticleer Inn where I can (at the ripe young age of 55) give the slopes another try, and it happens to be a special, unique, homey sort of resort. Here’s a taste of what I’ve gleaned about our local ski resort, just up the hill:
Mt. Ashland soars to 7,533 feet, the highest point in the Siskiyou Mountains. Established in 1964, the 220-acre ski and snowboard resort is just off of exit 6 of I-5, about 20 miles from downtown Ashland.
If you happen to be a good skier, Mt. Ashland offers surprisingly extensive advanced and even expert terrain. As locals say, “it skis a lot bigger than it looks.” With a vertical drop of 1,150 feet, a summit elevation of 7,533 feet, and plenty of open-bowl skiing, there are 45 runs to choose from, 41% are intermediate, 41% advanced, and 11% expert.
As the tallest mountain in the region, Mt. Ashland provides incredible views of the surrounding area. Take in glimpses of volcanic Pilot Rock and Mt. Shasta, snow clad in winter and majestic. Beautiful, wooded slopes in the lower regions and wind-swept trees up top make the scenery spectacular.
Mt. Ashland is a rare nonprofit and incredibly affordable in an age where the price of a lift tickets in many other resorts is making it inaccessible to all but the rich. It has a very welcoming, accessible feel too — and the people are great.
The offerings for beginning and early intermediate skiers are not as extensive, with 7% of the runs rated for beginners, but there are well-priced group and private lessons to get you started. The bunny slope is unique in that it’s separate from the more difficult terrain, and in full view of the lodge — great for families.
Did I say small? At 223 acres, I prefer the word intimate. And it offers a lot for its size — plenty to keep any skier occupied for a day trip or three.
The season runs from mid-December to mid-April with an average annual snowfall of 223”.
Other perks? There’s a historic, chalet-style lodge offering a full service Cafe and Bar. I think I mentioned that my favorite part of this skiing fantasy is the apres-ski beverage. And if, like me, you chicken out at the last minute, you can just leave your car in the lot and head out on a cross-country, snow-shoeing, or hiking adventure on the extensive trail system found in the Grouse-Gap Sno-Park (followed by that after-adventure drink in the lodge!).
Find out everything you need to know from their website here:
Or, check out these reviews:
https://www.onthesnow.com/oregon/mount-ashland/ski-resort
https://www.peakrankings.com/content/mount-ashland
For more info about Grouse Gap Sno-Park, click here:
And if you book your stay at the Chanticleer, we’ll give you 30% off lift tickets! We’re proud lodging partners with Mt. Ashland, and looking forward to hosting young skiers at this coming March’s High School Alpine State Championships!