A good season gets better and longer
Here I was ready, to write out tips on storing skis and snowboards in anticipation of the end of the ski season and lo! Most resorts are extending ski seasons. Plenty of action on the slopes the new couple of weekends. This is the best of it all - plenty of sun, enough snow and clear skies most of the time.
Mammoth Mountain has come up with something new for a spring outing. The Bikini Run is now part of a larger event called the 2010 College Games at Mammoth. It will take place April 24 at McCoy Station (mid-mountain). Mammoth will set up a ton of games on the snow for college kids to participate in throughout the day.
Fuel TV will cover the event and produce a TV show. People enter in teams of five and we have more than 100 people registered already. Natually, contestants are encouraged to appear in bikinis.
Thanks to incredible snowfall throughout the 2009/10 winter season, Mammoth Mountain will extend its winter operations for daily skiing and riding to July 4
Mammoth Mountain has received more than 41 feet (493 inches) of snowfall this season, including more than three feet of snow in the first week of April. With a current base depth of 11 feet to 15 feet of snow, Mammoth is experiencing the best snowfall season since the record breaking 2005/06 season, when 50 feet of snow fell on the mountain.
Long known for snow seasons that stretch well into spring and summer, this will mark the 11th time that Mammoth Mountain has been open for skiing and riding on the Fourth of July within the last 31 years of operation.
"Those of us who run Mammoth Mountain came here to ski and ride as much as possible so we always open as early as we can and stay open as long as the snow lasts," said Rusty Gregory, chairman and chief executive officer of Mammoth Mountain. "We have the best April snow conditions I've seen in my 32 years on the mountain. With as much snow as we have, our customers would riot if we closed down as early as the other ski resorts. Keeping the mountain open until July 4th is what 'Playing Big' is all about."
Since Mammoth plans to stay open through July 4th, this offers an ideal opportunity to enjoy the best of two worlds. Take a couple of days wandering Death Valley, some 80 miles south of Mammoth on 395, then come back to Mammoth for a day of skiing. Hiking the lowest in America, then skiing at one of the higher resorts. What a reach!
Meanwhile, only Diamond Peak has closed. It did so Sunday with a grand celebration and the announcement of new construction of the kids school buiding, ticketing areas and more, all to begin in May.
Mt. Rose action
Mt. Rose collected 3-5 feet of snow Sunday night and more snow is predicted. Right now Mt. Rose lift tickets are sold on www.skirose.com at an even more discounted rate than before. Adult lift tickets are now $29, senior/teen tickets $19, and super senior/child tickets $7 when you buy online. Be sure to check out the BOATercross on April 17 and get some turns in before closing day April 18.
BOATercross is an extreme kayaking race on the Mt. Rose Slide Bowl that starts at noon.
All Mt. Rose 2010-11 season passes go on sale April 19. The Unlimited Pass has absolutely no void dates or blackout periods,and it comes fully loaded with tons of perks. Purchase lilft tickets through www.skirose.com or call 775-849-0704.
It's 'corn' time on the slopes
This is that wonderful time of the year when you run into corn snow on the slopes. In case you aren't familiar with corn snow, it's formed when the days are warm and the nights freezing. Snow melts in the day then refreezes that night. In the morning the small kernels come to the surface of the snow, surprising some not expecting the change in surface.
Skiing corn snow is much like skiing powder; it gets a little heavier than the rest of the snow and demands that you really ski the stuff. Ski much like you would powder: skis parallel at all times, both skis turned simultaneously, weight solidly forward and hands ahead and slightly above the waist. Let the skis move, perhaps a little faster than you would expect, but don't worry, the corn snow will slow you down just as powder does.
This is the best of the season, sunny and comfortable, not too many on the slopes and short lift lines. Just remember to get on the hill when the bull wheel starts spinning and get off when the snow starts to mush.
Enjoy!
• Contact Sam Bauman at sambauman@att.net or 841-7818.