Skiing

Mammoth Mountain's 2020 Opening Date Moves Up

The new date will occur a day earlier, thanks to a foot of snow dropping over the first weekend of November.

Mammoth Mountain

MOVING UP: Deciding upon a direction that is most associated with Mammoth Mountain, one of the Golden State's best-known ski resorts? You'd likely pick "up," as the giant peak definitely has an upwards-to-the-sky presence, or you'd pick "down," for that's the general direction that skiers and snowboarders head. And "up" is very much the current theme at Mammoth Mountain as we enter the middle part of November 2020, for skiers will begin to go "down" the destination's famous slopes early. A day early, in fact, for the Eastern Sierra destination's opening day was just moved up to Nov. 13 (it had been Nov. 14, weather permitting).

Dakota Snider
Weekend winter vibes: Mammoth Lakes and Mammoth Mountain both received some fall-fun frosting, of the frostiest variety, on Nov. 7 and 8, 2020.
Dakota Snider
Peaks, fir trees, and a water-wonderful scene, too: Winter popped by the Eastern Sierra region on Saturday, Nov. 7.
Dakota Snider
It isn't winter, or at least a wintry autumn, at Mammoth Mountain if this guy isn't wearing a coat of snow.
Dakota Snider
Opening day is Nov. 14 at Mammoth Mountain, but "weather permitting" is the asterisk. (Updated: Nov. 13 is the new opening day; the announcement came on Nov. 11.)
Dakota Snider
A tribute to local legend Dave McCoy added to the ski-cool scene.
Dakota Snider
What's the season hold, snow-wise? Surprises could be ahead. After all, the fifth month of 2019 turned out to be Mammoth Mountain's "snowiest May on record."
Dakota Snider
Remember your chains if you're calling upon this mountainous area as fall deepens into winter.
Dakota Snider
Staying cozy at home but missing the marvelous mountains of this neck of the woods? Keep a watch on the Mammoth Mountain and Mammoth Lakes sites for more stunning pictures of snow in the months ahead.

HOW, WHY, AND SO FORTH? The answer is as simple as snow is cold: A lot of flakes fell on Nov. 7 and 8, and with a foot of accumulation, plus the resort's powerful snow-making operations, all systems pointed to opening sooner. And more snow is on the way, says the Mammoth team. There are some things to know before hitting Highway 395, including the specific chairs that will open on Nov. 13 (there are five in all, "more than normal for this time of year": chairs 1, 2, 3, 6 & 11). There are no more individual tickets available for opening weekend, do note, and no walk-up tickets will be sold during the 2020-2021 season. But Ikon passes? They're still available for purchase ahead of time.

NEW SAFETY GUIDELINES... and COVID-19... precautions at the mountain are numerous. Social distancing, face coverings, and limited capacity are part of the resort's plan, and all visitors should review all protocols before purchasing their advance tickets. Again, due to limited capacity, all tickets and passes this season will need to be advance tickets, so do plan ahead.

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