Winter Recreation Opportunities

The Mt. Ashland Ski Area is not the only place to recreate in the snow in Southern Oregon.  In fact, it is not the only winter recreation area on Mount Ashland!  Enjoy these other winter recreation areas this year--many of them are free, easy to get to, and none of them will use your money to spoil Mount Ashland's remaining wildlands.

Downhill Skiing & Snowboarding

Mount Shasta Ski Park - already a favorite of many area skiers, the Mount Shasta Ski Park offers longer, easier runs than found on Mount Ashland as well as difficult runs.   More info: 800-SKI-SHASTA (530/926-8610); Snow Phone: 530/926-8686. Ninety miles south of Ashland.

Mount Bachelor - one of Oregon's finest ski resorts, Bachelor is known for abundant, high-quality snow and a wide array of runs in addition to on-site lodging.   More info: 800-829-2442. About four hours from Ashland.

Warner Canyon Ski Area - a small ski area near Lakeview, OR, Warner Canyon offers downhill, cross-country, and snow play facilities.  It is inexpensive, uncrowded, and has beginner through expert terrain. The ski area is operated by the non-profit Fremont Highlander Ski Club. More info: 541-947-5001. About 3.5 hours east of Ashland (160 miles).  Opens in mid-December most years.

Willamette Pass Ski Area - another small ski area similar to Mount Ashland, Willamette Pass offers 29 trails from beginner to expert level and reasonable ticket prices.  Located east of Eugene, OR about 3.5 hours from Ashland. More info: (541) 345-SNOW.

Etna Summit - a free, non-lift assisted ski and snowboard area on the Klamath National Forest about 1.5 hours from Ashland.  This is a do-it-yourself experience in a beautiful setting.  Begin at Etna Summit on the Sawyer's Bar Road and make your way over 1,000 vertical feet downhill through an open forest to finish at a lower point on the same road.  Access back to the top is accomplished by alternating carpool duties among members of the group.  This is for experienced skiers & boarders as there is no grooming of runs or ski patrol to bail you out.  A favorite of local Scott Valley residents, you'll find others there on many weekends with good snow conditions.  Directions from Ashland: take I-5 south to the Highway 3 exit at Yreka.  Go right at the ramp then immediate left onto Hwy. 3 (south).  Follow Hwy. 3 about 26 miles to the town of Etna.  When Hwy. 3 bears hard left just outside town, continue straight ahead to a T intersection with the Sawyer's Bar Road.  Turn right and go about 11 miles to the top of the mountain.  This is Etna Summit and the views into the Salmon River watershed are spectacular.  Skiers & boarders take off downhill on the east side of the road (into the Scott River watershed that you just drove up) and emerge on the road back down the way you came after 3 switchbacks.  This road is plowed all winter but sometimes not on weekends or holidays.

Cross-Country (Nordic) Skiing

Grouse Gap SnoPark - located at the far end of the Mount Ashland Ski Area parking lot, the Grouse Gap trail network heads west across the scenic Siskiyou Crest.  The Grouse Gap Shelter is about 2 miles from the trailhead and offers free, overnight or day use shelter from the elements.  Other trails extend to the top of the Middle Branch watershed.  Backcountry and telemark skiers can access the Middle Branch for a challenging and pristine Siskiyou Mountain ski experience.  Interested skiers could even access the ski area and ski the slopes back to the lodge without needing a lift ticket.  SnoPark parking permit required.  More info here or get snow conditions from the ski area: 541-482-2754.

Bull Gap SnoPark - located just west of the Mount Ashland Ski Area on the ski access road, the Bull Gap SnoPark offers nearly 8 miles of scenic ski-only trail (no snowshoes or snowmobiles are allowed).  The 5.7 mile Bull Gap Trail links the Bull Gap SnoPark to the Mt. Ashland Ski Area. The 2.0 mile Crest Loop offers a challenging loop.  Oregon SnoPark Permits are required to park here.  More info.

Deadwood SnoPark - Deadwood SnoPark is located at the junction of Dead Indian Memorial Highway and Forest Road 37, approximately 22 miles east of Ashland. Oregon on the Dead Indian Plateau.  SnoPark Permits are required to park here.  Trails are open to skiers and snowmobiles and receive very light use.  More info.

Buck Prairie Cross-Country Trail - located 13 miles east of Ashland on the Dead Indian Memorial Road, this area offers 17 miles of interconnected trails near Hyatt and Howard Prairie Lakes.  SnoPark Permits are required at the Dead Indian Summit parking area, but not at nearby Camper's Cove. More info.

Fish Lake SnoPark - seven ski trails and loops some with wonderful views of Mt. McLaughlin and Brown Mountain.  Located about 40 miles northeast of Medford. SnoPark parking permit required. More info.

Pederson SnoPark - a  2 mile trail to the South Brown Mountain Shelter with a woodstove and firewood provided by the Southern Oregon Nordic Club! Located about 32 miles from Ashland.  Parking space is limited and Oregon SnoPark Permits are not required.  More info.

Grizzly Peak Trail - the 2 mile trail to the top of Grizzly Peak just north of Ashland makes a great ski trip most of the time in the winter.  To get there take Dead Indian Memorial Road north about 7 miles to the Shale City Road.  Turn left and continue about 2 miles until you come to a junction with a small sign pointing left to the trail.  Make a left onto this road (after heavy snow you will need to start skiing here) and continue about 1 mile to the Grizzly Peak Trailhead.  The trail isn't marked or groomed but is usually not too hard to follow. Free; no parking permit is required.

Tubing, Snow Play & Ice Skating

There are many unofficial places to go snow tubing or just play around in the snow.  One popular area is on the Mount Ashland ski access road, about 5 miles from I-5.  Look for the large pullout/parking area on the right. Free; no parking permit is required.

Table Mountain Snow Play Area - The Table Mountain Winter Play Area is specifically designed for snow tubing. The parking area also allows access to snowmobile and cross-country skiing trails. Adjacent to the snow hill there is a restroom and an area you can build a warming fire. (Bring your own wood).  For safety reasons no metal runner sleds, skis, or snowboards are allowed.  Located about 20 miles from Ashland in the Greensprings area off Highway 66.  Free; no parking permit is required.  More info.

The Darex Family Ice Rink is located in Ashland's Lithia Park at the corner of Winburn Way & Nutley Street.  Open every day November through February; 541-488-9189.

Links to more info

Get info on trails online at the Rogue River National Forest Winter Recreation Page or call Steve Johnson, the winter recreation specialist at the Ashland Ranger District at 541-552-2900 or 482-3333. 

The Medford office of the Bureau of Land management operates two winter recreation areas.  Learn more here.