Lodge is open weekends, special programs to include Youth Adventure Days
By Lee Juillerat for Ashland.news
Mt. Ashland is more than a place to go downhill ski and snowboarding.
On weekends the mountain’s lodge café and retail shop are now open every Saturday and Sunday while various special events are planned through the summer until Labor Day.
“Mt. Ashland is already one of the more popular summer destinations in southern Oregon, with access to so many great trails and epic views of the Rogue Valley and California,” said Andrew Gast, Mt. Ashland Ski Area’s general manager. “Our goal is to give all the visitors that are coming up for a hike, run, or bike ride a place to relax after their adventures. Our mountain is really special in the summertime, and we hope that those who have never visited will take a few hours to explore the unique alpine landscape or enjoy one of our sunsets over a meal or drinks.”
Hours at the lodge, which is offering hot food, cold beverages and ice cream, are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays through Labor Day.
With warming temperatures melting snow, Gast said hikers and runners will be able to use the trails that depart from the lodge, “And,” he added, “it won’t be long until we can hop on our bikes for gravel and downhill rides.”
In the works, too, are several special events, including movie nights, campfire get-togethers, mountain-top yoga and to-be announced programs.
Another summer addition is a Youth Adventure Days programs, for young people age 7 to 12, who, Gast said, will “have the opportunity to make friends and explore all Mt. Ashland has to offer during the summer.” Activities will include hiking, games, nature, arts and crafts, exploration and adventure. Three-hour long Youth Adventure activities will be offered mornings and afternoons, with registration opening in early June. Tentative dates include June 17 and 18, July 1 and 2, July 15 and 16, August 5 and 6, and August 19 and 20.
“It’s something we’ve talked about for a number of years,” Gast said of offering summer activities and opening the lodge. “We felt this was the time to do a soft opening (on May 27).” And, depending on how this summer’s operations go, operations could be expanded in future years. “We will continue to evolve. This is the blank canvas year.”
Although snow has mostly melted around the lodge, the trails still have at least some coverings of snow. The Bull Gap and Nature trails could open in coming days and weeks, but the Summit Trail will likely have snow for another two or more weeks. Daily updates on trail conditions will be posted on the website at mtashland.com.
Gast said it’s hoped the summer season offerings will draw visitors who want to enjoy the views and ambience — “We really want to invite those people who’ve never been to the mountain before.” Noting a paved road leads to the lodge, he said people appreciate expansive views of sights like Mount Shasta, Pilot Rock and the Rogue Valley.
“These new summer programs really speak to our nonprofit mission,” he said. “At our core, we exist to provide and promote healthy alpine recreation. There is no better place in Southern Oregon to enjoy the mountains than Mt. Ashland, and summer is just as wonderful as winter.”
While the immediate focus is on the summer, Gast said plans are being made for the 2023-24 winter season, when Mt. Ashland will celebrate its 60th anniversary. “As we begin to plan for this commemorative season, we plan to re-imagine what the future of our mountain looks like. We will have some exciting announcements over the next year and look forward to building the next era of our community mountain together.”
Email freelance writer Lee Juillerat at 337lee337@charter.net.
