RESORT PROFILE
many of them long-term senior team
members with extensive lift experi-ence
on the mountain, keep the ski
area running smoothly and efficiently.
On “Slope Care Days” local volunteers
assist the crews in trail trimming,
erosion control and other beneficial
efforts that give a sense of pride and
ownership in the health and success of
their local ski area.
Hiram Towle, general manager at Mt.
Ashland credits this sense of community
with having a very large part in making
the area unique. “Mostly it’s the vibe, the
close-knit community that welcomes
visitors, and a highly competent and
skilled staff. We get great reviews and I
hear from guests every day that our crew
is top-notch.”
A free shuttle service (the SNOW
BUS) runs from the city of Ashland,
about a half-hour trip up to the base
of the mountain, while the recently
expanded parking area serves the ma-jority
of visitors. There is no overnight
accommodation on the mountain, there-fore
its designated as a ski “area” rather
than a “resort,” but a partnership with
lodging properties in nearby Ashland
and Medford means visitors don’t have
far to travel. As Towle points out that’s
because the majority of tourists come
to the area in summer, both centers
are able to offer a wide range of pricing
and availability in the winter months;
better than the average “ski town”
lodging experience.
The extensive ski school at Mt. Ashland
offers learn-to-ski programs for skiers
of all ages and although the terrain is
balanced more towards advanced ski-ers
and riders, the separate beginners’
area has been recently re-sloped so
that everyone can enjoy a day on the
mountain. A full-service rental and
repair shop is available in the lodge
along with retail space for all of the
mountain provisions needed for a day
on the slopes.
Two on-site food locations – the
Granite Grill and the Balcony Bistro –
deliver extensive menus ranging from
gourmet to the traditional burger and
fries. “In the lodge, the ‘T-bar’ is your
classic ski bar filled with history and
rustic charm,” said Towle. “Local beer
graces the tap and the two shot skis
are well used. It is the quintessential
ski bar with a high ceiling, exposed
beams and lots of stories of greatness
being shared on any given day.”
The historic Tudor-style lodge,
holding so many stories and memo-ries
from the past 56 years, had a $1.7
million renovation in 2017 that included
upgrading the energy performance
throughout the building. “The fact that
we are a non-profit allows us to keep all
our prices low for our guests, but it also
means we are able to make such capital
improvements through fund-raising,”
said Towle.
Over six months, beginning in June, the
main floor was completely re-arranged
with another 1,000 square feet added for
less congestion in the food service area
while also relocating the rental shop to
the ground floor for much easier access.
High-speed WiFi now blankets most of
the ski area, yet the lodge has kept its
quirky, chalet style.
“What makes us unique? Mostly it’s
the vibe, the close-knit community
that welcomes visitors, and a highly
competent and skilled staff.”
– Hiram Towle, Mt. Ashland Ski Area
6 April/May 2019 | snowopsmag.com
/snowopsmag.com
