Which has better skiing-Mount Ashford or Mt. Shasta?

Trying to do some skiing end of Dec. Will there be good snowfall either of these resorts that time of year? I know Tahoe may be better, and more snow, but can%26#39;t travel that far. What about accomodations and restaurants-recommend one over the other based on that? Will have 2 novice skiers in group also wanting to learn to snowboard-any recommendations on runs, degree of difficulty, % of beginner/intermediate runs one resort over the other? Any recommendations on great places to stay near the skiiing, with ambience? Thanks for any suggestions.

Which has better skiing-Mount Ashford or Mt. Shasta?

Mt. Ashland, OR? If so, both areas provide good information on their websites re: skiing conditions, trails, et al. Others will reply with their viewpoints.

Which has better skiing-Mount Ashford or Mt. Shasta?

In Ashland, the Ashland Springs Hotel is very nice. It is walking distance to one of our favorite restaurants in Ashland, Chateaulin. There is also the Peerless in Ashland that is excellent. The AshlandPlaza Inns %26amp; Suites is also nice for lodging. They have an outdoor jacuzzi here and a nice buffet breakfast. We like the Spa King Rooms (352) when we stay here.

I%26#39;ve heard that Mt. Ashland is good for the novice snowboarder. Have a great trip! :)

There are no guarantees anywhere, but you%26#39;ll have a better chance of good ski conditions with more beginner/intermediate options at Mt. Shasta. For everything else though - accommodations, dining, etc. - you%26#39;d probably prefer Ashland.

I%26#39;m a little confused by your ';can%26#39;t travel that far'; to Tahoe comment. Where are you traveling from? You might also consider Mt. Bachelor in Bend, OR.

I agree with Mistletoe, would recommend Mt. Bachelor in Bend over the other two. Accomodations and restaurants will be better in Mt. Ashland than Mt. Shasta. However, I don%26#39;t really consider either of them a ';ski resort';. We live near Mt. Ashland, so my kids have grown up skiing there and they really like it. We have never been to Mt. Shasta.

We have also skiied quite a bit at HooDoo near Sisters. It is a great ski place for beginners and families. They have a newer lodge (less than 5 years old) that is very nice for the nonskiers (like me!). Look into staying at a place at Black Butte Ranch if you want to ski there.

Hi Midtenngal,

Shasta usually opens around Mid-December. Mt. Ashland maybe, but rocks are likely. Neither resort is open now.

There is an old adage ';If you can ski Mt. Ashland, you can ski anywhere';. This refers to it having some of the steepest terrain in the state, but I think it also refers to the the usually icy snow conditions there. Short, steep runs - good for a quick day on the double-blacks, not good for beginners. If you have 2 novice skiers, I%26#39;d pass on Mt. Ashland. You%26#39;re looking at 55% advanced, to only 15% beginner, with 35% intermediate.

Mt Shasta is much more beginner-friendly, with 55% of the runs being intermediate runs, and only 25% advanced and 20% beginner. Both resorts have only 4 lifts.

Mt Bachelor RULES over either of those places, so if a trip to Bend isn%26#39;t too far for you, definitely consider it. Tahoe of course, is legendary, but you already mentioned it%26#39;s too far. Mt. Bachelor is also already open, and has three times the vertical, more than twice as many lifts and twice as many runs as either of the others - plus the powder is the best in the Northwest.

Thanks for all the replies. We can%26#39;t travel too far because my oldest son is stationed in Eureka, CA, in the military. He needs to probably stay within a 350 mile radius so if called back, he can get back fairly quick. Others have mentioned Bend, Sisters, Mt. Bachelor, but I am not familiar with those areas or locations-any idea on distance relative to this 350 mile radius? I have skiied Tahoe many times, and would prefer it, but he feels it is too far. I know the Mt Shasta and Mt Ashland areas are probably utilized by locals primarily ( I grew up skiing in Big Bear in So Cal) but they are the only ones I could find close enough to Eureka. I like Mt Shasta, but accomodations seem very limited, as do dining options and other entertainment when not skiing. Any thoughts on this? I appreciate any and all suggestions, as the holidays are approaching and I have made no arrangements yet. Getting nervous...

Lily%26#39;s in Mt. Shasta would be a great choice for a meal. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner here. :)

Driving Distances (Mapquest)

Mt. Bachelor - 360 Miles

Mt. Shasta - 208 Miles

Mt. Ashland - 226 Miles

Lake Tahoe - 391 Miles

Cedar Pass - 300 Miles

Coppervale - 260 Miles

Willamette Pass - 321 Miles

Mt. Shasta Lodging - http://www.skipark.com/lodging.html

Mt. Shasta Dining - http://www.skipark.com/dining.html

Other Entertainment - http://www.skipark.com/spa.html

More Restaurants - mtshastachamber.com/chamber/members.php

Was he told to stay within 350 miles, or just be no more than a days distance away? I ask because my husband is a retired Naval Officer and never used mileage alone as the factor in approving someones leave. Regardless of where you end up, enjoy the time as a family. We know all too well how difficult it is to work around a military schedule:)

If it was me and I%26#39;ve never skied Mt. Ashland, I would pick Ashland because of its nightlife and ambiance. However, snow is iffy some years. It could open at the end of this week but that will only happen with more snow. We are about 200 miles north and have been getting a little snow in the valley and lots in the mountains. Mt. Bachelor may seem like a great choice but with snow on the roads it may be a really slow go. Hoodoo is great for beg/intermediate - its more of a family place.