Replacing an aging chairlift is an expensive proposition for any ski resort, but for a small nonprofit mountain, finding the money can be particularly challenging. That’s the situation facing Mt. Ashland Ski Area in Southern Oregon, where operators are trying to raise another $1.87 million to replace one of the mountain’s most important lifts.
The resort’s Windsor chairlift has been carrying skiers since 1978, and a routine inspection revealed that a critical component has reached the end of its service life. The lift remains safe to operate, but repairs could cost more than $1 million, prompting the nonprofit Mt. Ashland Association to prioritize a complete replacement.
In an explanation of the project’s urgency, former General Manager Andrew Gast estimated that a midseason failure of Windsor could cost the resort more than $1 million annually in lost revenue and other financial impacts, in addition to the cost of repairs.
Windsor serves the middle of the mountain, providing access to a majority of Mt. Ashland’s terrain while helping distribute skiers and snowboarders across the resort. Losing the lift would affect everything from recreational skiing and lessons to youth racing programs and ski patrol operations.
Two Aging Chairlifts Need Replacing
Mt. Ashland originally planned to begin replacing its aging lifts in 2026, but insufficient fundraising forced the resort to revise its construction schedule. The current plan calls for replacing Windsor in 2027, followed by the Ariel chairlift in 2028.
Windsor is a fixed-grip double chairlift manufactured by Yan. Its replacement is planned as a new Skytrac fixed-grip triple chairlift following the same alignment. The project will also involve removing the existing towers and terminals, installing new foundations and using helicopters to place towers in areas with limited ground access.
Ariel is even older, having served the ski area since its opening in 1964. The Riblet double chairlift provides access to some of Mt. Ashland’s most challenging terrain and is considered the oldest unmodified operating chairlift in Oregon by the resort.
Both lifts are expected to remain operational for the 2026-27 winter season.
$1.87 Million Needed Before May 2027
According to Mt. Ashland’s chairlift replacement campaign, the nonprofit hopes to raise the remaining $1.87 million before May 2027 to cover the outstanding costs of the Windsor project. Fundraising for Ariel’s replacement will continue separately.
The Karen & Sid DeBoer Foundation has pledged a $500,000 matching contribution, allowing qualifying donations to have twice the financial impact.
As a nonprofit ski area, Mt. Ashland relies on community support to help finance major capital improvements while directing operating revenue toward employee wages, insurance, maintenance and daily operations.
The lift replacement project also has federal approval, with the U.S. Forest Service authorizing construction within the existing lift corridors. Neither project is intended to add new skiable terrain.
For Mt. Ashland, replacing Windsor is primarily about protecting access to the mountain rather than expanding its footprint. With construction targeted for 2027, the resort’s ability to secure the necessary funding will determine whether that schedule can be met.
