Ashland, Ore. — Mt. Ashland Ski Area was forced to evacuate all guests by 1 p.m. Sunday as a powerful winter storm intensified in the region. The ski area announced that both public and staff access would be restricted for the remainder of the day due to hazardous weather conditions.
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) confirmed that it could no longer maintain the access road, following a breakdown of one of its snowplows and the forecast of an additional 8.5 inches of snow. As a result, ODOT closed the road for safety reasons.
“This was a cooperative decision made between Mt. Ashland Ski Area and ODOT,” said Julie Denney, Public Information Officer with ODOT. “The road was closed to protect both the public and our employees. While a grader has been working on the road throughout the day, heavy snowdrifts, limited visibility, high winds, and the possibility of downed trees made it unsafe for people to remain on the mountain.”
The decision came after careful consideration of the ongoing weather conditions, which included drifting snow and increasing wind speeds. With the closure of the access road, the ski area was unable to allow guests to remain on-site, prioritizing safety in light of the storm’s severity.
In response to the inconvenience, Mt. Ashland Ski Area has offered gift cards to guests who had purchased lift tickets for the day. Visitors are encouraged to visit the ticket desk for further assistance.
As the storm continues to impact the region, authorities are urging caution and advising that the access road will remain closed until conditions improve.