Mt. Ashland is gearing up for the 2024/25 winter season with several key projects designed to enhance the mountain’s appeal for families and beginner skiers. As part of its ongoing commitment to improving the skiing experience, the mountain is set to introduce new terrain and upgrade its night lighting system, projects that require raising $500,000.
One of the major projects involves expanding the terrain accessible from the Lithia Chair, which will double the available acreage for youth, upper beginner, and lower intermediate trails. This expansion is timely, as Mt. Ashland has seen a steady 5% annual growth in its youth programs. The new terrain is expected to improve accessibility and provide a better experience for those learning to ski and snowboard. Importantly, this new area will remain open during high winds that typically close the Sonnet trail and will also offer additional alpine racing terrain for young skiers.
In addition to expanding the terrain, Mt. Ashland is also upgrading its night lighting. The new lighting system will not only enhance the overall experience for twilight skiing but also be more energy efficient. Plans include adding lights to the Bottom and Windsor Chairline trails, which will significantly increase the mountain’s night skiing capacity and introduce advanced terrain for nighttime skiing for the first time.
Andrew Gast, Mt. Ashland’s General Manager, expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming changes. “We’re thrilled to announce these plans to add more ski trails and state-of-the-art lighting,” Gast said. “These enhancements will provide a higher quality, more enjoyable experience for new skiers and snowboarders, and families, making it easier than ever to learn snowsports at Mt. Ashland.”
In a show of community support, Sid and Karen DeBoer have pledged to match all donations for these projects received by September 30, up to a total of $500,000. This matching gift offer provides a significant boost to the fundraising efforts, encouraging community members to contribute and help realize these enhancements.
Mt. Ashland, operated by the Mt. Ashland Association under a special use permit from the U.S. Forest Service, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit ski area dedicated to providing quality, healthy alpine recreation. Those interested in supporting the projects can donate directly through the Mt. Ashland website or by contacting their business office.
With these exciting developments, Mt. Ashland is not only preparing for the upcoming winter season but also ensuring that it remains a top destination for families and novice skiers for years to come.
