Ariel and Windsor will cost an estimated combined $8 million
By Lee Juillerat for Ashland.news
Plans are moving ahead to replace the two oldest chairlifts at the Mt. Ashland Ski Area.
The Ariel and Windsor lifts, both two-seaters, will be replaced with more energy efficient and wind resistant three-seaters, according to ski area officials.
“This is an exciting and transformative moment for Mt. Ashland,” general manager Andrew Gast said in a statement “Ariel and Windsor have served generations of skiers and riders, and while it’s bittersweet to retire these beloved lifts, the new chairlifts will allow us to better serve our community with improved safety, comfort and reliability.”
Installation of the new chairs is scheduled to begin in spring 2026, with completion in time for the 2026-2027 season. For now, the focus is on raising $8 million, the combined cost for installing the two chairs. The cost estimate to replace the Ariel lift is $4.42 million, and $3.7 million for the Windsor lift. Those costs could be reduced if both lifts are constructed simultaneously.
Ariel and Windsor, which provide downhill access to more than half of Mt. Ashland’s terrain and have a combined age of 107 years, will be replaced to increase the ability of skiers and riders to move uphill.
“Originally installed over 45 years ago, these lifts have served the Mountain and its visitors for decades but are now outdated, increasingly costly to maintain, and less efficient by modern standards. The replacement project will install two new fixed-grip triple chairlifts that will enhance access to key terrain, reduce lift lines, improve operational efficiency and ensure a consistent and comfortable experience for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities,” a statement on the Mt. Ashland website reads. “In addition, these modern lifts will be more energy efficient and resilient to wind and weather.”
Both chairlift upgrades are restricted to existing, previously disturbed lift corridors, and no new terrain is being developed. Conservation measures will be followed to protect nearby habitats, soil and flowering resources, and to mitigate ecological impacts. Some trees will be removed to create a 150-foot wide lift corridor for lift safety. The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, which issues a permit for the area’s operation, will hold a comment period to identify environmental issues.
Some skiers and riders are reportedly pleased with the change, in some cases because Ariel sometimes is closed due to high winds that result in long lines at Windsor, and because the three-seaters can increase uphill capacity.
Skytrac, a Utah based company that specializes on aerial lift technology that designed and installed the new Lithia chairlift that opened this past season, has been working with Mt. Ashland to design and construct the new chairlifts.
The new lifts will be the same model as new Litha chair but both will be “bottom drive” lifts, with a motor at the bottom, while Lithia is a top drive. Although top drive chairlifts are more efficient, the new chairs will be bottom drive because of the availability of electrical power.
Skytrac has informed Mt. Ashland that the costs could increase because of 25% tariffs imposed on imported steel that were initiated after the estimates were prepared. With the frequently changing policies and tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, it remains uncertain what will be the final cost. Details on the fundraising effort will be available this summer.
Because the lift replacement projects qualify for a Categorical Exclusion, there will be a public comment period by the Forest Service along with field scoping, including archaeological, botanical, wildlife, geological, and hydrological reviews. The link to make comments is fs.usda.gov/r06/rogue-siskiyou/projects. A full Environmental Assessment is not required because the project is within the existing permitted area and does not expand terrain.
The Ariel lift has been in operation since the area first opened in 1964 and is known as “Big Red” for its chair color. The Windsor lift was installed in 1978, when it replaced a surface lift known as “The Big T.” Ariel will retain the red on its lift drive housing, while Windsor’s housing will continue with the current forest green.
In a statement, Mt. Ashland said, “Extensive care and maintenance have kept the two lifts running, but increasing upkeep costs, difficulty sourcing parts, and the efficiency of more modern equipment are factors in the upgrade. The most noticeable change for the new arrangement will move the top terminus of Ariel 200 feet further down the slope from the current bull wheel for a slightly shorter ride. The current ski patrol shack will remain, as will the bull wheel towers to serve as a windbreak.”
A metal surround building will be constructed around the top terminal in summer 2027 to provide protection from the elements. Skiers will leave the lift inside the building. Access to The Bowl will not be changed by the new setup. Tree removal to widen corridors will be done along both lift lines. It was noted that in November 2024 a falling tree struck a tower on the Ariel lift, which prevented it from operating for about a month.
A 51-second video on Mt. Ashland’s website gives viewers a simulated ride up the new Ariel lift, then down the new Windsor lift. The video can be seen at mtashland.com/2026-capital-projects-chairlift-replacements, which also has more information on the chairlift replacements and the removal details.
Mt. Ashland hosted an estimated 114,759 skiers and riders in the recently completed 2024-25 season, nearly a 20% increase in users from 2023-2024. It was the second-busiest season after the 2022-23 season, which saw 128,626 users. Mt. Ashland operated 90 days last season.
Email freelance writer Lee Juillerat at 337lee337@charter.net.
