A small nonprofit ski area in Southern Oregon has reached a major fundraising milestone, securing the money needed to replace one of its most important chairlifts. Mt. Ashland Ski Area announced Tuesday that its $3.56 million Windsor Chairlift replacement project is fully funded, allowing construction to move forward in spring 2027.
“After years of hard work, fundraising, and incredible community support, we’re thrilled to announce that the replacement of Windsor Chairlift is moving forward, with construction set to begin in Spring 2027! This is more than just a new chairlift. It’s an investment in the future of Mt. Ashland, ensuring that generations of skiers and snowboarders can continue making memories on our mountain for years to come.” -Mt. Ashland
The announcement comes less than three weeks after the ski area reported a $1.87 million funding shortfall and warned that a failure of the aging lift could cost the nonprofit more than $1 million annually in lost revenue and other financial impacts. Windsor has operated since 1978, providing access to nearly all of Mt. Ashland’s intermediate terrain while helping distribute skiers and snowboarders throughout the mountain.
A Community Comes Together to Save a Critical Chairlift
The fundraising campaign received contributions from individuals, families, businesses and charitable foundations throughout Southern Oregon. Major supporters included the Karen and Sid DeBoer Foundation, Lithia Motors and the Bernard Family. A $500,000 matching pledge from the DeBoer Foundation helped encourage additional donations and accelerate fundraising.
The new chairlift is already under contract with manufacturer Skytrac. It will be a fixed-grip triple replacing the existing double chairlift along the same alignment. Although uphill capacity is expected to remain similar, the larger chairs should improve loading efficiency and reduce congestion. Heavier chairs are also expected to provide greater stability in windy conditions.
Mt. Ashland plans to operate the existing Windsor Chairlift throughout the 2026-27 ski season before removing it in spring 2027. The replacement is expected to begin carrying passengers for the 2027-28 winter season. Some of the original chairs will eventually be auctioned, giving longtime supporters an opportunity to own a piece of the mountain’s history.
Another Major Chairlift Replacement Is Still Ahead
The successful campaign is an important step for Mt. Ashland, but the nonprofit still faces another expensive infrastructure project. The mountain’s Ariel Chairlift, which dates to the ski area’s opening in 1964, is also scheduled for replacement.
According to the ski area’s long-term chairlift replacement plans, Ariel will be replaced with another Skytrac fixed-grip triple, with construction scheduled to begin in spring 2028. That project is currently estimated to cost $4.4 million, although the final price remains subject to inflation and contracting.
“Windsor is an incredible first step, but our work isn’t finished.” -Mt. Ashland General Manager Rachel Canada
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Mt. Ashland relies on community support to help fund major improvements. The ski area estimates it contributes $9.9 million annually to the regional economy and employs more than 250 seasonal workers. It also works with more than 35 schools to introduce approximately 1,400 children to skiing and snowboarding each year.
With Windsor’s funding secured, the organization is turning its attention to raising the money needed for Ariel, hoping to complete another major infrastructure replacement without disrupting access to the mountain’s challenging upper terrain.
Congratulations to the folks at Mt. Ashland, we have been following this replacement effort for a longtime and have been rooting for them. So happy to see they have reached their goal and the old Windsor chair is getting a much needed upgrade.
