Southern Oregon’s ski season officially gets underway today as Mt. Ashland Ski Area opens for the winter with limited terrain and a community-focused Opening Day celebration. While snowfall totals remain well below the seasonal average, the mountain is moving forward with a carefully planned launch designed to safely welcome skiers and snowboarders back to the slopes.
For Opening Day, all lift tickets are priced at $18, offering an affordable opportunity for locals and visitors alike to kick off the season. Tickets include access to the Sonnet and Lithia Chairlifts, along with the First Act Learning Carpet, giving beginners and experienced riders alike a chance to enjoy early-season conditions. Operations today run from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
To add a festive touch, the first 50 people in line at the Sonnet Chairlift this morning will receive a breakfast burrito voucher and a limited-edition Mt. Ashland Ski Area neck gaiter, a small but spirited nod to the loyal community that returns year after year to support the mountain.
Terrain access today reflects early-season realities. Sonnet is open to beginner and novice skiers and snowboarders, while Lupine is reserved exclusively for expert riders. After further evaluation, Poma will remain closed for now. The Bumblebee lift is also closed, with plans for a dedicated Grand Opening later in the season once conditions improve. Blossom remains under assessment as staff monitor snowfall and coverage. Crews are also working toward building a smaller terrain park on Lupine to help kick off the freestyle season.
Additional lifts, including Comer, Windsor, and Ariel, along with all terrain accessed from those chairlifts, remain closed until sufficient snowfall allows for safe operation. Mountain officials emphasize that conditions are strictly early season, with thin and limited coverage. All terrain outside of groomed runs remains closed at this time to ensure guest safety.
Despite the limited footprint, Opening Day marks an important milestone for the Mt. Ashland community. It signals the start of winter recreation in Southern Oregon, brings energy back to the mountain, and sets the stage for expanded terrain as snowfall increases. For many locals, today is less about how much terrain is open and more about returning to a shared winter tradition that defines the season.