Mammoth Mountain Ski Area plans for second earliest opening in resort history

October 15, 12:03 AMSkiing ExaminerEric Wagnon

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Mammoth Mountain Ski Area plans to open on Friday, Oct. 16
thanks to the snow cover seen in this photo taken
on Wednesday.                                                      Photo: MMSA

Update Oct. 16:

Mammoth exceeded expectations in terms of open lifts on its first day. As expected, Broadway Express fired up at 8:30 a.m., but within an hour Facelift Express was unexpectedly also open providing access to more than 10 runs from mid-mountain to Main Lodge. Chair 23 began running at 12:45 p.m. providing access to the top of Mammoth Mountain.

Click here for much more on Chair 23

For the weekend, Mammoth expects to operate Broadway Express, Face Lift Express and Chair 23 from 8:30 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Mammoth opens Friday

A massive October snowstorm prompted Mammoth Mountain Ski Area Wednesday to announce plans for opening on Friday, Oct. 16. The only earlier season-opening date in the resort's history was on Oct. 8, 1994.

Click here for Mammoth photos

Guests to ski for free on opening day

Guests can ride the one lift expected to be open, Broadway Express, for free on opening day. Open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., the lift provides access to Broadway, Forest Trail, Mambo, St. Moritz and Main Park with assorted rails and jibs.

Mammoth hit with 2-6 feet of snow

Mammoth may not be the first ski area to open in the country, but the ski area can boast that it is the first to rely on natural snow for its early-season skiing.

Click here to see the first ski area to open

Mammoth's early snowfall has ranged from two feet of snow at its base lodge, an elevation of 8,900 feet, up to 4 to 6 feet of snow at the summit elevation of 11,053 feet. The resort's official 26-inch season snowfall total includes 8 inches of snow on Oct. 4 and 18 inches on Oct. 13 for a settled base of 20 inches. Only halfway through the month, the 26 inches of snow is already the highest October total since the 2004-05 season. Despite the recent wintry weather, skiers on opening day can expect warm temperatures approaching 60 degrees.

Click here for details on new winter air service to Mammoth

“We are so excited to start the season nearly four weeks ahead of schedule and to be able to reward our guests with a free day on the slopes,” said Howard Pickett, chief marketing officer of Mammoth Mountain. “Mammoth’s high elevation will pay off for skiers and snowboarders who have been anxiously awaiting the coming winter.” Mammoth's elevation also pays off at the other end of the season. The resort closed for the 2008-09 season on June 14.

Click here for more on late-season skiing at Mammoth

  The Broadway Express lift is expected to operate on opening day at Mammoth Mountain Ski Area.
Click on map for full Mammoth Mountain trail map. Map: MMSA