Mt. Ashland Ski Area is excited to announce a transformative infrastructure project to replace two of its most iconic chairlifts. After more than four decades of service, Ariel and Windsor Chairlifts are set to be replaced with new, state-of-the-art fixed grip triple-chairs with the projects tentatively scheduled to begin in the Spring of 2026. Ariel Chairlift, in operation since 1964, and Windsor Chairlift, which began service in 1978, have been a cornerstone of Mt. Ashland Ski Area, providing generations of skiers and snowboarders with access to more than half of the Mountain’s terrain.
Despite years of diligent care and maintenance, both lifts are now at the end of their serviceable lives, and the increasing costs to maintain, difficulty in sourcing parts and decreasing efficiency by modern standards have made the need for upgrades increasingly evident. While the original chairlifts will continue to operate until replacements are installed, allowing Guests, Staff, Donors and Partners the chance to say bittersweet goodbyes, the new chairlifts will be better equipped to meet the needs of today’s skiers and snowboarders by enhancing access to key terrain, reducing lift lines, improving operational efficiency, and ensuring a consistent and comfortable experience for Guests of all abilities. In addition, these modern lifts will be more energy-efficient and resilient to wind and weather.
“This is an exciting and transformative moment for Mt. Ashland,” said Andrew Gast, General Manager of Mt. Ashland. “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. These upgrades are critical to sustaining the Mountain’s future and ensuring that Mt. Ashland remains a welcoming, affordable, and vibrant place for outdoor adventure for decades to come.”
What to Expect from the New Chairlifts:
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Enhanced Safety and Reliability: The new triple-chair lifts will provide improved safety features and more reliable operation, ensuring a smoother and safer ride for all guests.
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Increased Operational Efficiency: Shorter wait times and more consistent lift operations will enhance the overall guest experience, allowing for more time on the slopes.
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Stronger Weather Resilience: The new lifts are designed to withstand harsher weather conditions, ensuring continued operation even during more challenging weather events.
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A More Comfortable Ride: Guests can look forward to a smoother, more enjoyable loading experience and ride up the mountain, making the ascent as pleasant as the descent.
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Wider Lift Corridors: The improved lift corridors will reduce the risk of tree strikes and contribute to the overall reliability of the lifts.
Details of the Chairlift Replacements:
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Ariel Chairlift: The current Riblet double-seat lift is planned to be removed in 2026 and replaced with a new triple-chair fixed-grip lift in the same alignment. The top terminal will be relocated approximately 200 feet downslope and a small building will be constructed around it to protect it from wind and rime ice. The chairlift installation will include tree removal for a safety corridor and earthwork for the lift foundations.
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Windsor Chairlift: The existing Yan double-seat lift will also be replaced with a new triple-chair fixed-grip lift in the same location and alignment, with similar tree removal and earthwork required for this upgrade.
Mt. Ashland plans to widen the lift corridors to modern standards by removing trees along approximately 150 feet of the lift lines for improved safety and operational efficiency. It’s important to note that the work on both Chairlift upgrades is confined to existing, previously disturbed lift corridors. No new terrain is being developed. Conservation measures will be followed to protect nearby habitats, protect soil and flowering resources, and mitigate ecological impacts. Tree removal is targeted and strictly for lift safety.
To learn more about Ariel and Windsor Chairlift replacements and the details around the removal and the replacement processes, Mt. Ashland Ski Area encourages you to visit https://www.mtashland.com/
Public Input and Community Engagement:
The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is accepting public comments during the project’s scoping period. The public’s written comments help the Forest Service to identify environmental issues. To find out more information please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/
How to Share Your Thoughts:
The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is accepting public comments and to provide feedback or express concerns, please submit your comments to:
By Mail:
Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District
6941 Upper Applegate Road
Jacksonville, OR 97530
Attention: Amanda Merz
By Email:
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Mt. Ashland Ski Area is owned and operated by the 501(c)3 nonprofit Mt. Ashland Association under a special use permit from the U.S. Forest Service. Its mission is to provide and promote healthy alpine recreation.
