Securing Mt. Ashland’s Future: An Update on the Chairlift Replacement Project
For generations, Mt. Ashland has been more than a ski area. It’s where children discover the joy of skiing and snowboarding, families build lifelong traditions, school groups experience the outdoors for the first time, and friends reconnect on snowy weekends and sunny summer days.
After years of planning, Mt. Ashland Association has officially received approval from the U.S. Forest Service to move forward with one of the most significant infrastructure projects in the ski area’s history: replacing the Ariel and Windsor Chairlifts.
These two lifts have faithfully served the mountain for decades—Ariel since 1964 and Windsor since 1978. Together, they provide access to more than half of Mt. Ashland’s terrain and have carried generations of skiers, snowboarders, volunteers, employees, and families to unforgettable experiences on the mountain.
Mt. Ashland Association first launched the Chairlift Replacement Campaign in 2025, but were unable to secure the funding necessary to complete the first installation during the summer of 2026. Our organization aims to raise just under $1.9 million before May 2027 to fund the remaining costs associated with the Windsor replacement, while continuing fundraising efforts to support Ariel’s replacement the following year.
Replacing these lifts is critical to the long-term future of our ski area. Mt. Ashland Association is committed to serving the Rogue Valley for generations to come, and every dollar contributed by our mountain community will directly support these essential infrastructure upgrades and be a part of making history. These chairlifts impact far more than skiers and snowboarders — they support summer recreation, local businesses, youth programs, tourism, and the broader outdoor culture of Southern Oregon. Losing access to this infrastructure would have a devastating impact on recreation and our regional economy, and Mt. Ashland Association is doing everything possible to ensure a sustainable future for our community asset.
While both lifts remain safe and operational for the 2026/27 winter season, routine inspections have confirmed that a critical component of Windsor Chairlift has reached the end of its service life. Necessary repairs could exceed seven figures. Following a winter season in which Windsor operated only intermittently for a total of 17 days that the Ski Area was open for the season. the long-term risk of losing the lift poses a serious threat to the future of the Ski Area. The financial impact of Windsor becoming inoperable could exceed $1 million annually — in addition to repair costs — creating an existential challenge for the nonprofit community ski area.
Replacing these lifts isn’t just about improving the ski experience.
Mt. Ashland generates an estimated $9 million in annual economic impact throughout Southern Oregon, employs more than 250 seasonal staff, and provides over $50,000 in scholarships each year to more than 1,400 youth through the Student Learn to Ski & Ride Program and Alpine Adventure Camps.
The mountain also supports local businesses, outdoor education, tourism, and year-round recreation. Its impact extends far beyond winter weekends.
Protecting this infrastructure means protecting opportunities for thousands of people who look to Mt. Ashland as a place to learn, recreate, work, and connect with nature.
Mt. Ashland Association is calling on the community to help secure the future of this beloved regional asset.
The Karen & Sid DeBoer Foundation has generously pledged a $500,000 matching contribution toward the campaign, providing the community with an opportunity to double the impact of donations made toward the project.
While the original lifts will continue operating until replacements are installed — giving guests, staff, donors, and longtime supporters an opportunity to say bittersweet goodbyes — the new chairlifts will significantly improve the mountain experience by reducing lift lines, improving reliability and operational efficiency, increasing weather resilience, and providing more consistent access to terrain for guests of all abilities. The upgraded lifts will also be more energy-efficient and better equipped to withstand high winds and winter weather conditions.
Details of the Chairlift Replacements:
- Windsor Chairlift: The existing Yan double-seat lift will also be replaced with a new Skytrac triple-chair fixed-grip lift in the same location and alignment in 2027.
- Ariel Chairlift: The current Riblet double-seat lift is planned to be removed in 2028 and replaced with a new Skytrac triple-chair fixed-grip lift in the same alignment. The top terminal will be relocated approximately 200 feet downslope and a small building will be constructed around it to protect it from wind and rime ice.
For more than 60 years, Mt. Ashland has been woven into the fabric of Southern Oregon. Replacing these lifts is essential to preserving affordable access to outdoor recreation, youth programs, and the mountain experiences that generations of families have grown up with.