Mammoth Mountain was the first resort in California to open their doors this past weekend, and the skiing was nothing short of fantastic. With top to bottom skiing and a LOT of snow up high, conditions felt more like mid December than mid November. They had a wide swath of terrain open, with the gondola and Chairs 1, 3 and 23 all spinning by Saturday. Hands down some of the most fun skiing to be found was on Chair 23, but great chalky turns were lurking everywhere.
Highlights
- Skiing in November!
- Scotty’s and Dropout Chutes off Chair 23
- Dave’s off the gondola
- Did we mention winter conditions in mid November?!
The last storm cycle began as rain and quickly transitioned to snow, setting up a prime early season base at Mammoth. The majority of the mountain is chalky, wintry, and simply great. The rain did leave some scratchy snow in places, especially at the top of Cornice Bowl, but shortly after dropping in things returned to prime wind buff snow. The lower half of the mountain is definitely ready for a fresh blanket of snow, but the snow making team at Mammoth has ensured a solid swath of snow all the way to the Main Lodge.
Things are looking to get a little sweeter too, as Mammoth is slated to get another storm mid week followed by cold temperatures prime for preserving the goods.Â
Photo Tour
Hiked dropout opening day in the morning and got some really deep winter like turns after scraping down small slide path. Snow had a strange consistency with sugary sluff following your down the steep aspects they a smooth winter pocket boot deep at spots with ever a few fun bumps to air. Overall great day especially having top open. Thanks mammoth.