The 2025–2026 winter season at Mt. Ashland Ski Area has officially come to a close following one of the most difficult snow years the mountain has experienced in recent memory. After months of unpredictable weather and unusually warm conditions, the community-supported ski area wrapped up operations having managed only a limited number of days on the slopes.
Located in the Siskiyou Mountains just south of Ashland, Mt. Ashland Ski Area is a nonprofit mountain destination that serves thousands of skiers, snowboarders, and winter recreation enthusiasts from across Southern Oregon and Northern California each year. The mountain relies heavily on consistent snowfall to operate a full season, but this winter presented conditions that made sustained operations difficult.
Despite the challenging environment, the mountain successfully opened for 17 full operating days and hosted seven twilight skiing evenings during the season. Those days included a mix of powder runs, sunny conditions, and community gatherings that allowed visitors to enjoy the slopes whenever weather and snowpack permitted.
Unseasonably high temperatures throughout the winter significantly impacted snow accumulation and retention at higher elevations across Southern Oregon. The region experienced several extended warm periods that limited the ability of ski areas like Mt. Ashland to maintain consistent terrain coverage. As a result, operations were intermittent, with the resort reopening multiple times when conditions briefly improved.
The ski area had set a target of providing at least 50 operating days for season pass holders during the winter. Because the season fell well short of that benchmark, the organization announced that returning pass holders will receive discounted options for the next winter season. Those who held unlimited season passes will be eligible for a 33% discount during the upcoming spring pass sale, while twilight pass holders will be offered a 24% discount toward renewing their passes.
While the winter itself proved difficult, mountain officials emphasized the extraordinary efforts of staff members who worked to keep the resort operating whenever conditions allowed. Teams responsible for lift operations, grooming, guest services, and mountain safety adapted quickly to changing weather and shifting snow conditions throughout the season.
Community support also played a significant role in sustaining operations. Local businesses, donors, and sponsors contributed financial assistance and other support as the ski area navigated the unusually difficult winter. Mt. Ashland has long operated as a nonprofit mountain supported by a combination of ticket revenue, sponsorships, and community fundraising.
As the winter season winds down, the resort is now shifting into its off-season schedule. Visitors who rented seasonal lockers have been asked to retrieve their belongings before the end of March. The mountain’s locker facility will remain open Monday through Thursday during regular daytime hours to allow guests to collect equipment and clear storage spaces.
Although skiing and snowboarding have ended for the year, the ski area plans to remain active with community events and gatherings as spring approaches. One of the final celebrations of the season is scheduled for March 14 at the Karen & Sid DeBoer Lodge, where families and supporters are invited to gather for an evening of entertainment and activities.
The event will include bingo, a torchlight parade for children, live music, and a fireworks display intended to bring the mountain community together after a difficult winter. The gathering also serves as an opportunity to support the Mt. Ashland Ski Patrol through fundraising activities and community participation.
Even in a year defined by weather challenges, the ski area remains a central part of the Southern Oregon winter recreation landscape. With the season now complete, attention turns toward preparation for the next winter, when mountain operators and the surrounding community will once again look to the snowpack and colder temperatures to bring skiers back to the slopes.