How long can you ski and snowboard this season? Record snow means more time on slopes
Don’t put away those skis and snowboards just yet, it’s going to be a longer-than-usual season on the slopes.
Local ski resorts are still digging out from the most recent storms, with more snow possible, but resort operators are looking ahead, announcing Tuesday, March 21, they’ve already extended their seasons thanks to record snowfall.
Mammoth Mountain will stay open until at least July, while sister operator Big Bear Mountain Resort announced at least one of their mountains – Snow Summit, Bear Mountain or Snow Valley – will remain in operation through at least April. Mountain High will be open until, at least, mid-April.
The extension to the end of April for Big Bear Mountain Resort is about a month longer than typical end-of-season dates, which often wrap up end of March or early April.
Big Bear Mountain Resort has received more snow this season than in the past 20 years – an estimated 210 inches has been recorded with more falling as the latest storm rolls through. Last year, for comparison, the mountain had 69 inches. In 2019-20, an estimated 168 inches fell, but pandemic closures kept people from enjoying those end-of-season springtime conditions.
Resort spokesperson Justin Kanton said this year is “the most snowfall of this millennium,” noting their records go back to the 1999-2000 season.
Another 3- to 5-feet could fall by the end of Wednesday, he noted. “We’re hoping the powers-that-be can keep the roads clear and passable for people.”
Bear Break will make a come back on April 15 – the spring break-style party on the hill encourages people to wear retro gear, with a pond skimming event and music.
“As we get more fully into spring and temps start to warm up and we get some of those clear blue skies, you’ll see more of that beach vibe on the slopes with people wearing short sleeves and tank tops,” Kanton said, though warned UV exposure is 14% higher on the hill so wear a good sun screen and keep hydrated with more than just adult beverages.
John McColly, chief marketing officer for Mountain High in Wrightwood, said the resort had gotten 2 feet in 24 hours already with this storm, calling conditions “the best snow and spring conditions in years.”
In addition to the West Resort, the East Resort will be open Friday and through the weekend and will also offer night skiing.
The tentative close for the season will be around mid-April, but there’s been three years in the past 20 when the resort was able to stay open into May, he said.
“We’ll stay open as long as snow conditions and crowds permit,” he said. “We definitely would stay open late if possible.”
Mammoth’s season will extend even longer, into summer and through at least July – meaning you could spend Fourth of July on the slopes. No firm close day has been set and there’s a good chance the resort could even stay open into August.
The resort is just inches from surpassing its record snowfall of 668 inches set during the 2010-11 season – and that’s expected to happen in coming days.
One of the most popular events, the Pond Skim, is set for April 16. It’s where costumed skiers and snowboarders try and skim over a 100-foot pond at Canyon Lodge.
Lauren Burke, director of communications for Mammoth Mountain, said anytime there’s this much snowfall in the Sierras, it’s exciting, but people also start looking forward to the warmer weather ahead.
“It’s incredible to be a part of a historic season like this, where we are going to break the all-time record,” she said. “As we move into April, I think everyone is excited for sunshine and spring skiing. It’s truly going to be the best spring skiing we’ve ever seen.”
People don’t always equate California with snow, but having a mountain with a summit more than 11,000 feet tall, a snowpack that holds up and the ability to go surfing one morning and skiing the next, makes the region unlike any other in the country.
Crowds are more spread out during the spring, spending fewer hours on the slopes as more offerings open up. During summer, a person can go on the slopes, then do summer activities such as mountain biking or golfing in the afternoon.
“If you haven’t made a trip up, and the huge snow storms have scared you away, there’s four more months of skiing to be had,” Burke said.
It’s also a great time to learn how to ski or snowboard, with soft snow and sunshine making conditions ideal for beginners.
The resort has stayed open into July about 15 times in past years, and into August only a handful of times, the last time in 2017, Burke said. “We expect this to be one of our longest seasons on record.