Totally rad!
Skiers, snowboarders will be smiling into summer at California’s Mammoth Mountain
The days are longer, the mercury inches up a bit more each day. It's time to plant your annuals and sometimes, if you think about it really hard, you can feel summer in the air.
It's time for an epic ski trip.
That's right, and we're not talking the Southern Hemisphere. Thanks to record-breaking snowfall this winter, and snow that keeps on falling, Mammoth Mountain in California is still open for business, and planning to stay open for several months.
For ski lovers, that means a spring and summer when you can hop a plane, head west and get in some true top-to-bottom big mountain skiing and riding. The deep snowpack is holding so strong that even with warmer weather there — weather that will allow for fly-fishing and skiing the same day — Mammoth is confident of being open
until the Fourth of July. and that means a chance to ski many days in weather that skiers wait all winter to experience for a day or two: warmer, milder ski days that bring out skiers in shorts and demand you use sunscreen.
Mammoth is not new to stretching the ski season. Its annual Memorial day weekend ski bash is legendary. But this year, instead of strips of white around more seasonal grass or patches of good snow, they expect, said Mammoth Lakes Tourism Executive director John urdi (a native New Englander and rabid sox and Pats fan who is known at Mammoth for his Patriots-themed skis), “wallto-wall white.”
It all set up early winter when the snow started falling — and then pretty much never stopped. In late March, Nasa did a flyover of the mountain to measure the snowpack from above. Then, it came in at 61 feet. The base of snow, in other words, was as deep as a six-story building is high.
although they've had glimpses of warmer weather in recent weeks, they've had more snow, too. almost a foot fell just days ago.
Getting to Mammoth takes a day, but one that — particularly in the summer — you can blend with stops and sightseeing in other prime spots along the way. One popular route is to fly into reno, Nev., rent a car and then take a scenic three-hour drive to Mammoth proper. another popular route is landing in L.a., enjoying that city and then taking a five-hour drive that brings you past red rock Canyon, skirting death Valley National Park, past Mount Whitney and into the hills. With the snow in Mammoth, it's like a drive through every climate, and one that's an experience in itself. Mammoth is also about a five-hour drive from Las Vegas, an easy airport to get to and from, and a fun place to double down on your vacation fun.
staying in Mammoth is a snap, too. There are thousands of condos available, as well as hotels, from the basic and affordable (such as Best Western) to the high end (such as the Westin). and you find a good value this time of year since, despite the deep snow, they are technically in shoulder season.
skiing and riding on spectacular snow is the main reason to go, but since the season does change (particularly at base levels), you can weave seasonal activities into your stay as well.
Fishing is huge in the region, and while some lakes will still be buried in snow this June, most should be accessible by July. already accessible will be Convict Lake, a point of interest in itself. The lake was named after an incident on sept. 23, 1871, when a group of convicts escaped from prison in Carson City. a posse led by deputy sheriff George hightower encountered the convicts near the head of what is now Convict Creek. The lake is also featured in the films “how the West Was Won” and “star Trek: Insurrection.” It's a hot spot for fishing and hiking/walking. surrounded by massive mountains, you'll find endless Instagram moments, and the three-plus-mile path around it is a lovely meandering walk for a nonski day. Convict Lake is just 10 minutes from Mammoth Mountain.
Of course, there are ski and ride deals. Purchase a season ticket for next season as part of the Mountain Collective (which includes New England's sugarbush Mountain as well as 16 other great resorts across the nation), and you're all set for your lift tickets next season. Tickets on a day purchase basis are lower, too. If you hold a season pass to any other ski resort in america, simply bring it to the ticket window at Mammoth and you'll save 50 percent off that day's ticket.
Most of all, though, this is a chance to ski and ride history, as well as turn your summer adventure plans upside down in a good way. Zipping out there now, planning for June or even July, great snow awaits you.
said urdi, “The amount of snow is just mind-boggling. I'm looking out my window now and there is snow as far as you can see, but my son is playing basketball in the driveway. It's incredible, this season. It's something to be seen.”
Learn more at visit mammoth.com.