Every fall, people ask what’s new for the coming season, and this year I’m especially excited to share the updates. Our team, our partners, and our community put an enormous amount of work into the mountain over the summer and fall, and it shows. The 2025–26 season brings some of the most significant improvements we’ve made in decades—projects that strengthen our operations, elevate the guest experience, and support the long-term health of this community-serving ski area.

Here’s everything we’ve added, enhanced, and built as we head into the new season.

A New Lower Lift Day Ticket

This year we’re introducing a Lower Lift Day Ticket, providing access to First Act, Sonnet, Lithia, and Comer. This creates a more affordable way for guests—especially families and newer skiers—to enjoy the mountain without needing access to the full lift network. It also helps us better balance terrain use and manage peak days more effectively.

Lower Weekday Ticket Prices

To encourage more midweek skiing and ease weekend demand, we’ve reduced weekday ticket prices, with adult rates capped at $55. This supports accessibility while also helping us spread visitation more evenly across the week.

Expanded Night Skiing

Night skiing continues to grow. This season, we’re adding the Lithia Chairlift, as well as Lupine and Poma trails, to our night operations—creating more room to explore after the sun goes down.

Our First New Ski Trail in 40 Years

We’re thrilled to introduce Bumblebee, the first new ski trail built at Mt. Ashland in four decades. Situated in the Lithia pod, Bumblebee is a more difficult beginner trail—a perfect next step for developing skiers. Its flowing ½-mile layout fills an important gap in our terrain progression.  You can find the trail near the top of Sonnet and Lithia Chairlifts (facing Pilot Rock) and it will take you to the bottom of the Lithia Chairlift.

Waterless Urinals Through a Sustainable Slopes Grant

With support from an NSAA Sustainable Slopes Grant, we replaced all urinals at the ski area with waterless models. This reduces water use significantly and reflects our commitment to environmental responsibility and long-term stewardship of our watershed.

New Department for Lift Ticket Checking

We’ve created a dedicated department focused solely on lift ticket checking, ensuring consistency, supporting operations, and providing better guest service at lift entries.  All guests should be prepared to have their lift ticket scanned for each ride on all lifts.

More Night Lighting on the Mountain

You’ll see more night-skiing lights on the lodge and on the main mountain this year, enhancing visibility and atmosphere for evening skiing.

Vending Machines Return to the Lodge

We’re bringing back vending machines in the main lodge as a convenient grab-and-go option for busy days and quick snacks.

New Point-of-Sale System for Food & Beverage

Food & beverage operations are getting a major upgrade with a new POS system that integrates with the Mt. Ashland App for mobile ordering, helping reduce lines and speed up service.

Full Integration of the Mt. Ashland App

The app we launched last year becomes our primary communication tool this season. All operational updates—including lift status, weather impacts, and alerts—will be shared through the app, replacing our old text-alert system.

Network Upgrades and New Radio Repeater

We improved mountain-wide connectivity and installed a new radio repeater, giving our operations teams clearer, more reliable communication.

Ariel Gearbox Rebuild

The Ariel Chairlift received a full gearbox rebuild, extending its operational life and supporting a safe and reliable season of service before we plan to retire the chair in 2027 for a new triple-seat Ariel.

Facilities Upgrades

We replaced flooring in the bar back offices and janitorial rooms, making essential behind-the-scenes spaces more functional for staff.

Phase 1 of the New Guest Plaza

The first phase of our new guest plaza is complete and includes:

• Improved accessible access to the lodge

• Better service pathways for delivering supplies and removing waste

• New flagpoles and outdoor speakers

• All-new ski racks

• A cleaner, more intuitive arrival area for guests

It’s a major step toward a more welcoming and functional guest services area.

Terrain Improvements in the Poma Area

We improved skiability on skier’s left of Poma, including terrain shaping and a smoother crossover through the trees, giving skiers more options and easier movement through the area, while making it easier for our lift teams to manage the snow that builds up near the chairlift.

New Payroll and Employee Management System

Staff operations are getting a boost with a new payroll servicer and employee management platform, improving clarity and reducing administrative friction.

Wednesday Pilot Program

We are running a pilot program to operate on Wednesdays during the main season. We are committed to being open every Wednesday in January, with the potential to extend later into the season depending on attendance.

New Pump House Structure

Our new pump house structure strengthens critical infrastructure and supports the long-term reliability of our systems.

Welcoming New Staff

We’re proud to welcome several new team members to the Mt. Ashland family:

• Mark Daly – Promoted to Ski Patrol Director

• Kyle Howard – Promoted to Terrain Parks Supervisor

• Austin Tromler – Promoted to Grooming Supervisor

• Maple Johnson – Promoted to School & Youth Program Coordinator

• Dawson Davis – Hired to the new position- Snow Reporter & Content Contributor

Each of them brings valuable experience and a strong commitment to serving the mountain and our community.

Looking Ahead: A Glimpse at the Future

Even with everything we completed this year, we are actively planning for what’s next. Mt. Ashland has always grown one careful step at a time, and we’re excited about the improvements on the horizon.

Restraint Bars for the Comer Chairlift

We’re moving forward on the addition of restraint bars for Comer, an important upgrade that enhances comfort and supports evolving guest expectations.

More Night Lighting Across the Mountain

Our long-term lighting plan includes adding illumination for:

• Bumblebee

• Bottom

• The Windsor chairline

These additions will open up more terrain and make night skiing an even more welcoming, exciting experience with more advanced terrain options.

More Seating and Amenities for the Guest Plaza

Phase 2 and beyond of the guest plaza will focus heavily on expanded outdoor seating, enhanced gathering spaces, and more amenities for good weather days. This will help us make the most of our beautiful sunshine days and give guests more places to relax and enjoy the mountain environment.

The Final Season for the Current Windsor Chairlift

This winter marks the planned final season for our current Windsor Chairlift.
As soon as the snow melts and the season ends, we are scheduled to begin removal of the existing lift and break ground on a new four-person chairlift on the same alignment, with plans to open next winter. This is one of the most important capital projects in our ski area’s history, and we’re excited to share more as we get closer to construction.  And, it sets the stage for the planned replacement of the Ariel Chairlift in 2027.

A Season Built on Progress

This season reflects the work, care, and passion of so many people—our staff, our partners, our donors, our volunteers, and every member of the Mt. Ashland community. These improvements strengthen our operations, enhance the guest experience, and support the long-term sustainability of this mountain we all love.  Now, all we have to do is Pray For Snow.  It won’t be long until I’ll See You On The Mountain!

~Andrew Gast, General Manager