Mammoth Mountain, CA, Conditions Report: In A Word...ALL-TIME

Mammoth was deep today. Photo: Angelee Aurillo, Jan. 19, 2017 — Mammoth was deep on Thursday and it was hard to stay grounded. Photo: Angelee Aurillo, Jan. 19, 2017

Thursday Jan. 19th was all-time at Mammoth Mountain in the Eastern Sierra. Mammoth reported the most snow, with 30″ at the top, in the world today – no other lift-accessed location received more. Better yet were the clear conditions early on, the heavy snow in the afternoon, and the fact that a fairly large portion of the mountain was actually open. Everything except the face and the backside of the face was open after about 9:30 a.m.

We showed up at the mountain at 8:27 a.m. and there was hardly any line. After taking lift 8 up, we cruised over and waited for the opening of Lincoln peak with lift 22. It opened at 9:30, and the longest line of the day was about 150 people. The first few runs were so money:

Matt got good turns and everybody else got sprayed. Photo: Angelee Aurillo Jan. 19, 2017

Lincoln peak has some of the steepest terrain on the mountain. There were some fairly big slides, especially right under lift 22, to be expected with 20″ on top of a sun crust. The skiing was creamy, punchy powder with a hint of wind affect up top, with steep open turns, trees and chutes. There is nothing more euphoric than ripping down a steep chute in bottomless powder.

After 22 we headed over to the front side of the mountain to follow some openings. This kept the powder train rolling well into the afternoon. 5 and 3 opened up and we did laps on the bear. There was no limit to the deep turn in the trees.

Matt hits a drop and looks good. Photo: Sergei Poljak Jan 19, 2017

The afternoon saw the return of heavy snow and we picked up at least 6 more inches before the lifts closed. The wind effectively circulated the snow to smooth everything out and it was powder turns all afternoon. This was my favorite part of one of the best days I’ve had so far this season. For all intents and purposes, we had the mountain to ourselves during some of the finest storm conditions I’ve ever skied.

Town is also incredibly picturesque with all of this snow. It’s just beautiful to be outside, anywhere you go.

Snow Numbers:

Forecast:

I think that settles any doubt that Mammoth was absolutely all-time today and will continue to be so for the next week. Get out here and bring your assault vehicles, because that might be the only way you’re getting up and down 395 this weekend. Stay safe and see you on the hill.