It's been a busy season for Mt. Ashland General Manager Andrew Gast in his first year on the job. 

The good news keeps coming for the Mt. Ashland Ski Area.

After announcing last week that the ski-snowboarding area had broken its all-time season attendance record, Mt. Ashland managers announced Sunday that the season has been extended to Sunday, April 23.

“With over 278 inches of snow for the season and a snow base more than 10 feet deep, we’re excited to announce we’re extending the season all the way to April 23,” ski area managers said in announcing the new closing day, which is two weeks later than its usual closing date.

“The calendar may say spring starts this week, but winter is holding strong,” the post said.

The previous record was 106,003 skier-boarder visits in a season, and the ski area closed Saturday, March 18, with 106,762.

“This season has been historic in several ways,” Mt. Ashland General Manager Andrew Gast said Saturday. “From our first day of the season, the community has supported the mountain in record numbers. We’ve had outstanding snowfall this winter. We currently have 125 inches of snow on the ground, and that combination of skier support and great snow coverage allows us to stay open a few weeks later. With 24 days of skiing and snowboarding left this winter, the new attendance record will be set very high, and we can’t thank the community enough for coming up to the mountain.”

Mt. Ashland will begin its spring events schedule this week with themed spring break days, including a Southern Oregon University Raiders Day Saturday, March 25, and the annual Dummy Downhill the following Saturday, April 1. A new addition on the calendar is The Great Mt. Ashland Egg Hunt for Easter, which is Sunday, April 9.

“We’re in events season now and have a packed spring break celebration complete with awards for best costumes every day,” Gast said. “So get ready for beer gardens, live music and making turns for weeks to come.”

To help entice skiers and boarders, people can save up to 20% by booking ahead on the website at www.mtashland.com.

For SOU Raiders Day, all SOU students and alumni are eligible for discounted lift tickets and rentals. As part of the celebration, the Danielle Kelly Soul Project will provide live music in the lodge from 2 to 4 p.m. For more information, visit the Events Page at the website.

On Sunday, March 26, Deviation Works will offer a demo day. The company, which is based in Portland, will have dozens of models of skis and snowboards for testing. Also being held that day will be “Beach Party in the Snow,” with skiers and boarders urged to wear colorful Hawaiian shirts and “cool shades.” Prizes will be given to people who dress up.

Planned for Monday, March 27, is Super Hero Day, with people urged to, “Dress up like your fav super hero while you shred like one.” Along with games, prizes will be offered to people in costumes.

Thursday, March 30, is Animal Day, when Mt. Ashlanders are urged to dress up as their favorite pets or “creatures.” Pet friends, however, are not allowed.

Activities continue Friday, March 31, with Champions Day. Participants are encouraged to wear jerseys from their favorite sports team. Again, prizes will be offered and games will be held — “Good sportsmanship is encouraged.”

Fooling around will be encouraged from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 1, at the “Dummy Downhill.” All entrants will receive a prize, but the first-place winner will receive a season pass for Mt. Ashland’s 2023-24 season. Second place will win a $100 Mt. Ashland gift card, while third place will earn a $50 Mt. Ashland gift card. Dummies cannot weigh more than 125 pounds, must be mounted on a snowboard or two skis, cannot have glass, ceramic or sharp metal objects, and must be submitted to Mt. Ashland officials by 10 a.m. that morning.

Mt. Ashland is a nonprofit ski area owned and operated by the Mt. Ashland Association under a special use permit from the U.S. Forest Service.

This story first appeared in Ashland.news