Mt. Ashland Gets New Shuttle that Offers $20 Trips

Oregon’s Mt. Ashland Ski Area got off to a slow start this year, but January storms revived the slopes for skiing and riding. Now, a new ski bus service is offering an inexpensive way to get to the ski area.

OC and W Coachways, a Eugene-based motorcoach company, has stepped in to operate the shuttle bus to Mt. Ashland after the previous operator discontinued service at the beginning of January. Ashland Mountain Adventures announced on Jan. 5 that it was dropping service.

“We hope to serve the ski and snowboard community again next winter should the conditions allow,” a statement on the Ashland Mountain Adventures web site stated.

OC and W Coachways started up running the new shuttle to Mt. Ashland at the end of January. The shuttle operates on weekends and holidays. The luxury coaches can carry 48 or 55 passengers.

Skiers and riders can get to Mt. Ashland via a new weekend and holiday shuttle. Photo by Sean Bagshaw. Courtesy of Mt. Ashland/Ski Oregon.

Pick up locations are scheduled in Medford and Ashland. The bus stops by two Medford locations first before reaching Ashland. Pickups are between 7:05 and 8:10 a.m., and the coach is scheduled to arrive at Mt. Ashland by 9 a.m. when lifts start running. The bus departs after the lifts close down at 4 p.m.

The new shuttle bus costs $20 per person for a round trip ride to the ski area. But the bus requires a minimum of 35 riders to operate. Reservations are required.

Conditions by the end of January gave Mt. Ashland a base of 3.5-5 feet of snow. The ski area operates Thursdays through Mondays through the end of March. The April schedule shifts to Fridays through Sundays. Closing day is scheduled for April 15, snow conditions permitting.

Shuttle reservations can be made by calling 541-879-1144.