Coverage was excellent after the record 115 inches snow after April 1, even
though season total is dead average. Therefore Chairs 4&5 plus Gold Rush were
running in addition to the usual Main Lodge area lifts. Weather both days was
warm, over 60 degrees with no overnight freezing. The groomed runs were still
good thanks to salting, and busy runs like Broadway and Stump Alley were
resalted mid-morning. Sunday was a bit busier than Saturday for skier traffic,
so most groomers got mushy earlier. However Chair 4 had excellent smooth
cruising all Sunday morning with not that many people.
Off-piste skiing on Chair 5 was very sticky as the lift had not been running
midweek. The runs up top were skier-packed, and the mogul skiing up there was
excellent. On Saturday I skied Dave's, Climax twice, Hangman's twice, Cornice,
Drop Out , Wipe Out 1&2, and quit at 2:45 after 32,200 vertical. Sunday I took
it easier and quit at 12:45 with 18,800 because I was going backcountry skiing
the next day at Tioga Pass.
No closing date has been announced, but they were building a big halfpipe at
the bottom of Climax like last year in anticipation of losing the one at the
Main Lodge. For Memorial weekend the Main Lodge terrain park was in full
swing. Some locals had heard Mammoth would be open to June 17.
The new village gondola to Canyon Lodge was open for free scenic rides in the
afternoon. Two of the 3 lodges and most of the retail shops and restaurants in
the new village will be open next season.