Shuttered Oregon Ski Areas Reopen Thanks To New Snow, But State's Snowpack Is Still Behind

The latest storm that marched across the West last week has allowed some previously closed Oregon ski areas to reopen and start spinning their chairlifts again amid what’s largely been a warm, snowless winter.

Mt. Ashland, a small ski area near Ashland, Oregon, resuscitated its ski season on Thursday, February 19, 2026. The resort said some suggested they call it the “third act,” an apparent reference to previous closure periods.

Per its Instagram page, Mt. Ashland suspended operations indefinitely on January 1, citing “forecasted rain and low snowpack.” It reopened with limited terrain on January 7. Then, days later, another closure started on January 15.

“Season snowfall is down 63% and snowpack is down 71%,” the ski area wrote at the time.

While Mt. Ashland had to pause operations again on Sunday because of high winds, it’s back operating again as of Monday with all lifts open. 

Hoodoo Ski Area, another mountain that’s dealt with less than ideal weather, recently ended a two-week-long closure, also on Thursday, February 19.

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Willamette Pass Resort temporarily opened its Peak 2 chairlift over the weekend, writing in a social media post, “We’re so stoked to finally offer some more terrain after a tough snow year.”

Mt. Hood Skibowl, in Government Camp, remains closed “until we receive sufficient snow,” according to its website. 

Still, the ski area plans to open its rope tow for park skiing and snowboarding on Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday. Two higher elevation mountains in the area, Timberline Lodge and Mt. Hood Meadows, have seen powdery conditions in recent days.

For skiers, the shift in the weather has been good news. It appears unlikely that the overall narrative of Oregon’s winter will change, though. The snowpack in basins across the state remains far below the median, much like many other regions across the West.

“This year, even if we receive a normal amount of snow from here on out, we’re still looking at historically bad conditions,” said Larry O’Neill, Oregon’s state climatologist, for an article published by the Central Oregonian earlier this month.

“These conditions are very concerning for our water supply, our food supply, and our recreation opportunities,” O’Neilladded. “We may be looking at a challenging summer ahead.”

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