Conditions Report
If you’d of asked four days ago about my plans for this winter I would have ticked off a list of sport climbs at Red Rock and a boulder problem or two in Bishop with a jaded comment about how it’ll never snow in California again. The skiing in mammoth was awful. Man-made glare ice, limited terrain, and packed thanksgiving crowds left something to be desired (mostly an early day at the bar, or a visit to the local crag).
That plan has since changed.
The last 3 days have been great. Less than 1000 people on the mountain Mon-Wed and a fresh 15″ to boot. It was by no means the best storm of the season and not enough of a base to do any venturing off piste (although some tried) but it was the first promise of snow you could push around, blast through, and carve into. It was real skiing on real snow for the first time this year. And it had me smiling.
Tuesday the low light and stormy conditions kept the obese 50 year olds dressed up like Ted Ligety from monopolizing the NASTAR run- the only steeper sustained pitch that Mammoth currently has open. It was nice to chop through and bounce over some of the cut up fresh stuff at speed.
Wednesday morning the groomers were soft and smooth and fast. I’ll even admit I got excited at closing bell on Tuesday and got up early to ski them in the morning.
On Wednesday around 930 the rope dropped on the face of chair 3 for the first time. “You’re looking at 1’ of fresh over rock- don’t make this the end of your season.” One patroller said as he dropped the rope. I skied it- he was right. Once was enough.
Mammoth certainly isn’t 100% open and they’ve got a ways to go, but at least now the skiing isn’t a bust. Chair 10 was spinning and they were grooming chair 12 when I left around 1030 to go to work. It doesn’t look long until the top will be open, even if it is only the stuff they’ve been blowing on.
After a late start Mammoth is finally worth skiing.
