ASHLAND, Ore. – Mt. Ashland Association hired Rachel Canada as the new general manager of Mt. Ashland Ski Area, starting Sept. 1.

Canada brings more than 20 years of experience in mountain operations, leadership and resort management to Mt. Ashland. She most recently served as director of mountain operations at Willamette Pass.

Her experience includes overseeing lift operations and maintenance, grooming, vehicle maintenance and ski patrol support. Canada also managed guest services, human resources, rental shop operations and retail purchasing.

“Many experienced candidates applied and were interviewed for the open general manager position at Mt. Ashland; however, none checked the boxes quite like Rachel,” said Adam Reiss, president of the Mt. Ashland Association Board of Directors. “Rachel’s professional goal of managing a community ski area, backed by over 20 years of experience facing the challenges of small, independently owned mountains, made her the perfect choice as the next leader of the Mt. Ashland team.”

Reiss said Canada has extensive hands-on experience across nearly every aspect of ski area operations. She is ready to lead Mt. Ashland into a period of growth and investment.

“She really can do it all,” Reiss said. “We are all excited for Rachel to get started and can’t wait for our community to meet her.”

Canada’s career started at Montana’s Big Mountain, now Whitefish Mountain Resort, where she first learned to ski through the mountain’s ski school program. Since then, skiing has taken her to six countries across three continents, and she is looking forward to making the Ashland area her new home.

“Local ski areas like Mt. Ashland are the foundation of our sport,” Canada said. “I’m excited and honored to join the team here and make the Rogue Valley my home.”

As general manager, Canada will oversee year-round operations and help guide the organization through several major initiatives. These include the planned replacement of Mt. Ashland’s historic chairlifts and the continued expansion of summer and off-season programming.

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