The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Mt Ashland's summit reaches 7,533 feet, dropping 1,152 vertical feet to a base at 6,381 feet across 44 runs spread over 240 acres above Ashland in southern Oregon. Terrain splits 41 per cent intermediate, 36 per cent advanced, 12 per cent beginner and 11 per cent expert, with average annual snowfall of roughly 265 inches. The resort carries Indy Pass affiliation and is owned and operated by the nonprofit Mt. Ashland Association rather than a for-profit company.
Mt Ashland's nonprofit structure is the result of a community rescue effort in the early 1990s, making it one of relatively few community-owned ski areas in the country. The mountain's substantial snowfall, exceeding 260 inches annually, supports a genuinely advanced-weighted terrain mix relative to its modest 240-acre footprint. Its identity as a locally saved and locally run mountain remains central to how the Southern Oregon community relates to the resort.
Local backcountry ski enthusiasts were already using the mountain by the 1950s, and some of them built a lodge and a single lift in 1963, with Mt Ashland opening to the public on 11 January 1964. The ski area passed through several ownership structures over the following decades: the Mount Ashland Corporation ceased operations in 1970, prompting the Southern Oregon College Foundation to take over management after Jackson County financed the purchase of the ski area's assets, before Dick Hicks bought the area from the county in 1977 and incorporated it as Ski Ashland, Inc.
Seattle-based Harbor Properties purchased the ski area from Hicks in 1983, but in January 1992 the company shocked the region by announcing it would either sell the area for 1.7 million US dollars or dismantle its chairlifts and relocate them to Washington. Southern Oregon responded with a community campaign: local Rotary clubs raised 600,000 dollars and Oregon Lottery funds contributed a further 500,000 dollars to buy out the resort, with the City of Ashland holding the necessary US Forest Service permit until the newly formed nonprofit Mt. Ashland Association could take over operations. Adult daily tickets run from 75 to 89 US dollars, with a season pass at 649 dollars.
1,152ft
Vertical
44
Runs
240 acres
Skiable
22ft
Annual snow
Indy
Pass
The Terrain
44 runs across 240 acres skiable
Mt Ashland spreads 44 runs across 240 acres skiable of terrain. It leans intermediate at 41%, with 5 beginner runs to find your feet and 21 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
Terrain split
44
runs
44 runs across 4 grades
Beginner5 runs · 12%
Intermediate18 runs · 41%
Advanced16 runs · 36%
Expert5 runs · 11%
Time it right
When to visit Mt Ashland
The 2025-26 season at Mt Ashland ran from 13 December 2025 to 29 March 2026, a roughly fifteen-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 265 inches. This substantial snowfall gives Mt Ashland one of the more reliable natural seasons among southern Oregon ski areas. Season dates can shift depending on early and late-season storm activity.
Midwinter, from January through February, typically brings the most consistent conditions to the mountain's advanced-weighted terrain. As a nonprofit community mountain, Mt Ashland draws primarily from the Rogue Valley and broader southern Oregon and northern California region rather than national destination traffic. Weekend crowds are generally heavier than weekdays, drawing from Ashland, Medford and the surrounding communities.
As an Indy Pass resort, Mt Ashland draws some visiting skiers holding that multi-resort pass in addition to its core regional base. The Mt. Ashland Association's nonprofit structure shapes much of the resort's seasonal programming toward community access and affordability rather than large-scale destination amenities. School holiday periods bring increased family visitation given the mountain's mix of terrain.
Specific event programming beyond standard operations is not confirmed in available resort information. The mountain's 1992 community rescue, funded through Rotary club fundraising and Oregon Lottery contributions, remains a defining part of its identity and is frequently referenced in the association's ongoing community communications. Military discount pricing reflects the resort's connection to the broader southern Oregon community it serves.
Season 2025 - 2026
13 Dec 2025
Opens
29 Mar 2026
Closes
106
Days open
22 ft
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Mt Ashland, and where to stay
Mt Ashland sits above the city of Ashland in the Siskiyou Mountains of southern Oregon, with a base elevation of 6,381 feet and a summit at 7,533 feet across a 1,152-foot vertical drop over 240 acres. This is one of the southernmost ski areas in Oregon, close to the California border.
Ashland itself, well known for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and its broader arts scene, provides the resort's main lodging, dining and services, with the ski area operating as a genuine day-use community mountain for the city's residents. Medford, a larger regional centre, lies a further short drive north. The Siskiyou Mountains offer additional summer and shoulder-season recreation beyond winter skiing.
Interstate 5 provides the main route to Ashland from both the north and south, with the Mt Ashland Access Road then climbing from the interstate into the ski area itself. Winter driving conditions on the access road can include snow and ice, and the route's elevation gain means conditions can differ substantially from those in Ashland below. There is no direct public transport service to the mountain.
Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport, roughly 30 minutes from Ashland, is the nearest airport with commercial service, making Mt Ashland reasonably accessible for fly-in visitors despite its identity as a local community mountain. Most visitors, however, are Rogue Valley residents driving up from Ashland or Medford rather than fly-in destination travellers.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Mt Ashland, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
Aspen Snowmass Marks 80th Anniversary With $3.75 Throwback Lift Tickets
Aspen Snowmass turns 80 this December, and it's marking the milestone with $3.75 lift tickets on the anniversary itself - the original 1946 price. A discounted long weekend, $19.46 dining specials, lodging deals up to 46 percent off, and a season of anniversary programming round out the celebration across all four mountains.
17 Sept 2026
Doppelmayr Group Posts 9.1% Revenue Growth in 2025/26, Passing 1.3 Billion Euros
Doppelmayr closed its 2025/26 business year with revenue up 9.1 percent to 1.3 billion euros, driven by projects including the Big Sky Explorer Gondola, Deer Valley's Mayflower East Village Gondola, and the first TRI-Line installation at Hoch-Ybrig. Headcount grew too, with the ropeway manufacturer now employing almost 4,000 people worldwide.
16 Sept 2026
Hintertux Glacier Replaces 40-Year-Old Gondola to Tuxer Fernerhaus
Hintertux Glacier is retiring its 40-year-old gondola to the Tuxer Fernerhaus. The replacement carries 10 people per cabin instead of four, with seat heating and nearly 40 percent more hourly capacity. Doppelmayr's new line opens at the end of October 2026, right as the glacier's high-altitude terrain becomes accessible again for the new season.
16 Sept 2026
FIS Weighs Holding World Championships in Almost Every Winter, Starting 2032
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation is looking at a major shake-up to its title events calendar. From 2032, World Championships could run not just in odd-numbered years but in every non-Olympic winter too, effectively putting a global title event on the calendar almost every season. The FIS Council has approved the concept following a feasibility study, though an accelerated rollout as early as 2028 is also under consideration.
4 Sept 2026
Mount Buller Becomes Latest Australian Resort to Call Time Early on 2026
Mount Buller closes out its 2026 season this Sunday, joining Falls Creek, Hotham and Charlotte Pass in a cluster of closures landing almost simultaneously and roughly a month ahead of schedule. The culprit is stark: Spencers Creek's benchmark snow depth hit 31.2cm on 3 September, just 18% of the 73-year average and an all-time low for this point in the season. Six of Victoria and NSW's best-known resorts will have shut their lifts early within a span of about two and a half weeks.
4 Sept 2026
Tremblant to Add New Timber Summit Ski Sector for 2027/28 Season
Tremblant has confirmed a major expansion of its Quebec ski area, with a new Timber Summit sector adding 62 acres of terrain, eight trails and a high-speed quad chairlift for winter 2027/28. It's part of a CAD 42.5 million investment that also includes a new beginner learning zone at Versant Soleil opening this coming season. The project has grown considerably since it was first announced back in 2020, when it carried a far smaller budget and an opening date that never eventuated.
2 Sept 2026
Mount Hotham to Close for the 2026 Season on Sunday, September 6
We knew when the Bird Bath Pond Skim showed up on Hotham's Instagram that the season was on its way out. It's been a rough one - I only managed two days on snow all year, at Falls Creek - and now Baw Baw, Selwyn and Hotham have all called it, possibly the worst Australian season I've seen in a decade. Hotham's last day of lift operations is Sunday, 6 September, with a Retro Day, Father's Day après and closing sales before the lifts stop turning for good.
1 Sept 2026
Thredbo to Replace Ageing Gunbarrel Quad With New Six-Seat Chairlift for 2028
Thredbo Alpine Resort has confirmed plans to replace its 37-year-old Gunbarrel quad chairlift with a new six-seat Doppelmayr D-Line, targeting winter 2028. The AUD 35 million project will keep travel time roughly the same but lift capacity from 2,800 to 3,000 skiers per hour. It's part of a broader investment push that also includes doubled snowmaking capacity at Friday Flat for 2027, with the ageing Kosciuszko Express now flagged as the resort's next major lift replacement after Gunbarrel.
31 Aug 2026
Mt Ashland Webcams
About Mt Ashland's live webcams
Check live conditions across Mt Ashland with live webcams showing snow, weather, and lift operations, updated every 10 minutes. Check high-elevation cams for powder visibility and base-area cams for crowd levels before you head up.
Mt Ashland snow cams FAQ
How often do Mt Ashland snow cams update?
All Mt Ashland snow cams and webcams update every 10 minutes with fresh images showing current mountain conditions. This frequent update schedule ensures you have access to near real-time conditions for planning your ski day at Mt Ashland.
Which Mt Ashland webcam shows the best powder conditions?
High-elevation webcams at Mt Ashland typically provide the clearest view of powder conditions and snowfall. These cams capture fresh snow accumulation and visibility better than base area cameras.
Can I see Mt Ashland lift queues on the webcams?
Yes. Multiple Mt Ashland snow cams specifically show lift queue areas and chairlift operations, helping you time your arrival and avoid peak queue periods.
When is the best time to check Mt Ashland snow cams?
Check Mt Ashland webcams early morning (7-8am) for overnight snowfall assessment, and mid-afternoon for current crowd levels and weather. The live cams are most useful after storm events to assess fresh powder.
How can I check current conditions before buying Mt Ashland lift tickets?
Use our Mt Ashland webcams alongside the live snow report to assess conditions before purchasing lift tickets. The webcams show real-time visibility, snow quality, and operational status.
Do Mt Ashland webcams work on mobile devices?
Yes. All Mt Ashland snow cams and webcams are optimized for mobile viewing, so you can check live conditions from anywhere using your phone or tablet.
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