Ski and Snowboard News, Deals, and Events

Here's an update on the Mt. Ashland ski bus, whose ridership consisted mainly of teenagers and young adults whose parents either didn't ski or didn't have a winterized vehicle. We reported it was at a financial crossroads. It needed to boost ridership or it would cease to exist. So Mt. Ashland issued a challenge to get riders to sign up for the bus and, as part of the promotion, offered 10-ride booklets for sale.

Unfortunately, the challenge was unmet - only 11 of the hoped-for 265 booklets were sold by the Nov. 9 deadline - and the Mt. Ashland ski bus has been relegated to the historical dustbin.

But all is not lost for those without suitable wheels who wish to get to Ashland's slopes. A local company that has been offering a shuttle service to Mt. Ashland in the summer for mountain bikers has expressed interest in providing a shuttle service for skiers and snowboarders during the ski season.

Ashland Mountain Adventures has two 14-passenger vans that it will use to transport skiers and snowboarders to the resort. The cost per ride has not been set yet, but the mountain-biker shuttle service was $15 per person round trip, $8 one way.

Riders must reserve space on the vans by calling ahead: (541) 499-2298. If response is strong enough, Ashland Mountain Adventures is considering making more than one trip to the mountain to accommodate as many riders as possible.