Words by Sean Logan
It’s that great time of year again in Mammoth, the anticipation of winter in a small ski town is a feeling like none other. Locals night at the town bars are filled with giddy skiers and snowboarders sharing stories of past seasons, best days, deep turns, and how they plan on spending all the money they saved all summer on the upcoming season. The “itch” is back and soon there will be no time for work, sleep, or girlfriends.
Mammoth Mountain opened its lifts to the public this past Thursday, November 8 with two lifts, three trails and 10+ features in the Unbound Main. A 20″ storm two weeks prior meant snow makers were able to add to Mammoth’s base in time for opening weekend, and the local NOAA radar was hinting at a possible storm coinciding with opening day. The storm came, so the opening day weather wasn’t your typical sunny California. However, all in attendance could deal with a little grey bird and wind if it meant skiing fresh snow for the rest of the weekend.
Mother Nature delivered overnight in Sierra fashion with 12 inches at Main Lodge, and deeper spots around the mountain. I spent the morning lapping Chair 1 and 3 with my brother, Chris Logan, and local shredder friend Justin Kelly. It continued to snow heavily throughout the day and we were all greatly surprised to be skiing spots that the day before were most likely un-skiable. Winter was back and that January powder day feeling was in effect.
The storm stuck around til Saturday morning leaving the mountain with 10 additional inches and some nice Sierra wind buff. All the new snow assisted in allowing the mountain to open the gondola for top to bottom turns by Saturday afternoon, as well as adding a few more features and a 30-foot jump to Main. Mammoth unveiled two new park features mid-day Saturday by hosting a Pop Up Rail Jam in Unbound. Local skiers and snowboarders swarmed the new down and down-flat tubes in hopes that their summer rustiness wouldn’t hold them back from winning Mophie iPhone Juice Packs and t-shirts.
The opening weekend activities would continue on to Canyon Lodge Saturday night for live performances by Wu Tang Clan’s RZA and Hollywood’s party DJs Sex Panther. Skiing’s biggest Wu fans B&E [Phil Casabon and Henrik Harlaut] made the trek from Tahoe for the RZA show as well as a large attending crowd of Mammoth locals, opening weekend visitors, top snowboard professionals, and of course, Monster girls. Tons of fun was had by all in Mammoth this past weekend and we’re hoping this was just an awesome foresight to our #bestwinterever.
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