June Mountain to reopen next year in Mammoth Lakes

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By Bob Goligoski, Correspondent

Good news for California skiers. June Mountain, which was closed last season, will re-open for the 2013-2014 season. That’s according to Rusty Gregory, CEO of nearby Mammoth Mountain which owns and operates June.

Gregory made his comments last week during an interview at the annual meeting of the North American Snowsports Journalist Association which was held at Mammoth. The 2011 – 2012 season was a rough one for Mammoth as guest visits dwindled to about 850,000. That resulted in cost-cutting measures which included letting go about 75 employees at Mammoth and closing June Mountain.

He stressed that this year has been more successful for Mammoth which expects to record about 1.1 million skier-snowboarder visits before its announced closing date of Memorial Day. A resort spokesman said if conditions permit, Mammoth may open after Memorial Day.

Gregory noted that a major, new $6 million chairlift will be erected at June as soon as all the required U.S. Forest Service permits are obtained.

During the interview, he observed that the “whole basis of pricing in the winter resort industry has changed.” Consequently, Mammoth will be moving more strongly into “dynamic pricing,” the industry buzz word for charging less for lift tickets when demand is low and charging more when demand is high.

Mammoth’s walk-in ticket price for adults was set consistently at $99 during the curent season.

If Mammoth continues to draw large crowds – it attracts about 24,000 skiers and snowboarders on its busiest days – it will start work on replacing some of the aging lodges and other structures at the base of the mountain, said Gregory.

Stacey Cook & Friends Speed Camp at Mammoth

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Join US Ski Team Members Stacey Cook, Steven Nyman, TJ Lanning and John Teller for a challenging three day weekend focused on learning the technical and tactical elements of the Speed disciplines. The camp is set for May 25-27 and costs $449.

This camp is designed for all ages and abilities, from intermediate to high level FIS racers.  Groups are organized by experience and ability to ensure you are in a comfortable environment and assigned world class coaches. Interaction and time with the US Ski Team members is guaranteed.

 For more information or to sign-up, contact Pam Lonza with Mammoth Teams at 760.934.0795 or plonza@mammoth-mtn.com.

Ski Pakistan? Absolutely! CNN follows heli-skiers to near the top of the world

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Talk about a ski adventure.

The Karakoram Mountains in Pakistan include many of the world’s tallest peaks, and a thrilling challenge for any skier. While the highest paved international road – connecting China with Pakistan – is part of the landscape, the adventurers featured in a recent CNN report by Saima Mohsin avoided this road less traveled and flew in by helicopter.

Click here to catch their wild ride.

Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood serve up triple-play pass for next season

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There’s not much time left for skiers and snowboarders to lock in the guaranteed lowest price on a three-resort pass for next winter at Lake Tahoe.

The Tahoe Value Pass offers access to the slopes at Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood. And for those who purchase it by Sunday, they’ll score six buddy tickets for friends and families that can be used during the 2013-14 winter season.

The price starts at $389, and requires $49 down with the balance due in the fall.

“Other area resorts have raised prices and added restrictions to their passes, further widening the value gap and undeniably proving our passes offer the best value,” said Kirsten Lynch, chief marketing officer for Vail Resorts. “Offering the most skiing and fewest restrictions at the lowest price, there is no better deal on skiing and riding in Tahoe than the passes offered by Vail Resorts.”

Information: www.bestoftahoe.com

High winds and high adventure while spring skiing at Mammoth Mountain

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Skiing in the sunshine at Mammoth Mountain. (Photo courtesy of Mammoth Ski Resort)

By Marlene Greer

This week in Mammoth Mountain was the first time I’ve actually had to pole downhill. Yes, that’s right – use my ski poles to propel myself down the mountain.

On Tuesday, bone-chilling winds at the summit hit 75 mph, according to mountain staff, and mid-mountain was not much better with strong 30-40 mph winds. The temperature at the top was a chilly 20 degrees.

The gondola to the summit was closed for three days and opened again on Thursday, though Chair 23, the other lift to the top, remained open despite the high winds. Whether that was a wise choice is debatable.

Those who ventured to the summit Tuesday and Wednesday described winds nearly blowing them over and being pelted unmercifully with ice. Skiing off the summit, they told me, was a scary experience.

Caitlin, a 20-something skier from Utah, was skiing Mammoth on Tuesday with her four friends and got caught off guard at the summit by a powerful gust of wind.

“It was so bad we all huddled together for about five minutes,” she explained. “We didn’t know what to do, which way to go. I felt like I was going to get blown off the mountain.”

Inga, spending spring break at Mammoth with her boyfriend and friends, called her one and only ride to the summit and ski down “an unfortunate adventure.”

Shredding some snow at Mammoth Mountain. (Photo courtesy of Mammoth Ski Resort)

“The wind was blowing ice so hard that the ice hitting my helmet sounded like hail,” her boyfriend added. The San Diego couple did not plan on making a second attempt to the summit that day.

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Skiers, boarders make waves during Squaw’s Lake Cushing Crossing

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How did the chicken cross the pond? On skis, of course, during Squaw Valley’s Lake Cushing Crossing, which returns on Saturday. (Squaw Valley photo)

Get your best water-ski and -snowboard moves ready for the 23rd annual Lake Cushing Crossing at Squaw Valley on Saturday.

The Cushing Crossing is the resort’s acclaimed pond skimming event that challenges participants to cross the vast and chilly waters of Cushing Pond on skis, a snowboard or any ski or snowboard-based vessel. The event is known for colossal crashes, hilarious costumes, and ultra-creative pond skimming contraptions.

Since the event’s creation more than 20 years ago, plenty of ski resorts have come up with their own pond-skimming events, yet none rival this one. Perhaps it is because the characters at Squaw are a little more creative. Or maybe it is because Cushing Pond is a real pond, rather than a tarp-lined ditch or kiddie pool. Whatever the reason, the Cushing Crossing blows other pond skimming events out of the water, as demonstrated by the thousand plus spectators that come out for the event every year.

Prizes for the Cushing Crossing winners are…

  • Overall: 2013/14 Bronze Season Pass, GoPro Hero 3, $200 cash
  • Men’s Ski: GoPro Hero 3, Oakley Goggles, $100 cash
  • Men’s Snowboard: GoPro Hero 3, Oakley Goggles, $100 Cash
  • Women’s Ski: GoPro Hero 3, Oakley Goggles, $100 Cash
  • Woman’s Snowboard: GoPro Hero 3, Oakley Goggles, $100 Cash
  • Unlimited: GoPro Hero 3, $100 cash
  • Most Creative: Oakley Goggles, Squaw swag, $100 cash
  • Skinny Ski (70mm or less): Oakley Goggles, Squaw swag, $100 cash

In addition to the legendary pond skimming event, this weekend boasts an incredible lineup of spring fun at Squaw Valley with a Saturday pool party at High Camp, great ski conditions, sunny skies in the forecast, and music at the KT Base Bar.

The Cushing Crossing is open to the first 50 registrants. Registration will take place at the KT Base Bar at 9 a.m., and the competition kicks off at 1 p.m. The cost to participate is $20. All entrants must be 18 or older. A life preserver and a helmet are required.

Information: www.squaw.com

Season’s last runs at Sugar Bowl

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Sugar Bowl Resort will be closing for the season at the end of the day on Sunday. Spring skiing will be in full swing until then, with the summit snow depth at 118 inches and the base snow depth at 25 inches.

“We had a great year, from early season powder days to mid-season groomers and sunny spring days to wrap things up,” said John Monson, the resort’s director of sales and marketing. “Bringing Royal Gorge Cross Country back to its once and former glory this season was especially rewarding. We look forward to even more skiers and riders enjoying both resorts next year.”

One-day lift tickets purchased during the remainder of the current season can be used toward the purchase of a 2013-2014 season pass (up to an $80 value).

Sugar Bowl is hosting a weekend-long passholder appreciation party, April 13-14. All current and 2013-2014 pass holders are invited to enjoy live music with Lisa Phenix on Saturday at Judah Lodge. Also, enjoy a free barbecue at the Lodge from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Sunday.

New and experienced skiers also can take advantage of general admission days through the remainder of the season. That means all day lift ticket holders can get free equipment rentals and a free two-hour lesson during their visit.

Sugar Bowl has been home to some of the foremost skiing and boarding races this season, including the finale of the Rahlves Banzai Tour and the Women’s and Men’s Freestyle Hill Climb race in the United States Ski & Snowboard Association SuperTour finals.

During the 2012-2013 season, Sugar Bowl Resort also assumed operations of Royal Gorge Cross Country Resort under an agreement with the Truckee Donner Land Trust and the Trust for Public Land. Royal Gorge is America’s largest cross country resort with about 6,000 acres of terrain and 200 kilometers of trails.

Information: www.sugarbowl.com or call 530-426-9000.

On a taxing day, Sierra-at-Tahoe celebrates its customers

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Sierra-at-Tahoe will give skiers and riders one last chance to shred during its annual Customer Appreciation Day on April 15 (a.k.a. “tax day”).

Skiers and riders of all ages can purchase a lift ticket for $25. All proceeds raised from the day’s lift ticket sales will be donated to sponsor youth recreation and education, including baseball, soccer, swimming and other youth activities.

Sierra Resort will operate a limited number of lifts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., including Grandview and Easy Rider. All guests are invited to join John Rice, the resort’s general manager, and the rest of Sierra Resort’s managing team for the official “last run of the season” from the top of Grandview Express beginning at 2 p.m. Last call at the Sierra Pub will be at 2:45 p.m., in time for the ending of all winter operations at 3 p.m.

Passes for the 2013-14 season will be on sale that day. Prices: $279 for adults, $239 for ages 13-22 and college students (proof of six fall 2013 credits), and $109 for children ages 5-12 and seniors (70 and older).

Information: www.sierraattahoe.com

Skier Cross Camp with X Games gold medalist John Teller at Mammoth

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Learn the secrets to speed with X Games gold medal winner John Teller at Mammoth Mountain on May 18-19.

Combine Mammoth’s incredible terrain with Teller’s world-class talent to learn the techniques that helped Teller win X Games gold and become the first American to win a World Cup Ski Cross event.

The camp costs $299. For more information, call Pam Lonza at 760-934-0795 or email plonza@mammoth-mtn.com.

Special discounted lodging rates are available at the Mammoth Mountain Inn for the Mammoth Spring Camps at a discounted room rate of 20 percent. Rates may vary based on room type/size and availability. 

Reservations can be made at www.mammothmountain.com, and using the following information:  John Teller Skier Cross Camp Group ID: 15288, Password: 37000188

Reservations also can be made by calling 800-626-6684.

Join Stacey Cook for Chix on Stix weekend at Mammoth

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Join two-time Olympian, recent second place World Cup downhiller and Mammoth team athlete Stacey Cook and friends for a weekend of Chix on Stix, May 18-19. The packages starts at $319.

Weekend itinerary

May 17

  • Welcome reception

May 18

  • Morning free skiing with personal coaching tips by Stacey and friends
  • Nutritious lunch and skiing recap
  • Outdoor yoga in a beautiful Sierra setting. Bring your own mat.
  • Late afternoon healthy cooking class with special guest chef.  Learn to cook high-energy, nutritious meals for an active lifestyle
  • Evening movie night outdoors in The Village with homemade s’mores

May 19

  • Morning free skiing and introduction to racing through gates with Stacey and friends.
  • Nutritious lunch and farewell celebration.

All ages and abilities welcome, sorry guys – women only! Groups will be created to match participant ability and provide the best experience.

Lodging special

Special 20 percent off lodging rates will be available at the Mammoth Mountain Inn to all Chix on Stix participants. Rates may vary based on room type/size and availability.