After heavy storms in April and recent low temperatures, Mammoth Mountain has extended its ski season to June 7.
Mammoth Resorts Communications Manager Emily Van Gruening said the resort has received 1 to 3 inches of snowfall since Tuesday night, with more snowfall expected Thursday and possibly throughout the week.
More than 5 feet of snow fell at the resort’s summit in April and temperatures were forecast to remain low for the next few weeks, forcing resort operators to extend the season.
“Mammoth is proud to stay open as long as we can continue to ski,” Van Gruening said. “Because we still have some snow and some coverage to work with, we decided to extend the season.”
The resort opened on 20 November. This year’s season has already seen 293 inches of snowfall, slightly more than last year’s 286 inches, with the heaviest snowfall occurring in December, February and April.
In previous snow years, the resort has remained open until late August. In other years, it has closed before Memorial Day.
“We have a very long ski season because of the height of the mountains,” Van Gruening said.
The recent snowfall comes amid “May gray” weather conditions that are expected to bring temperatures as low as 25 degrees below average across Southern California through Thursday, with temperatures in the mountains and deserts falling as much as 25 degrees below average.
Three chairlifts will remain open in Mammoth – the Broadway Express (1), the Face Lift Express (3) and Chair 23 – in addition to more than 25 hiking trails. Currently no starting areas are open.
Most Southern California ski resorts closed, including Bear Mountain and Snow Summit several months ago season.
