As ski season draws near, the community of June Lake busily plans on ways to attract visitors in the absence of June Mountain Ski Area.
Jeff Simpson, Economic Development Assistant for Mono County, said he and others discussed plans for the community with the Mono Supervisors last week. Simpson said the plans include marketing, transit, ambience of the town, and events. The Mono Supervisors had approved the expenditure of $100,000 to help accomplish some of these new goals to keep the community economy afloat. Simpson said the money will go toward marketing, events and transit.
A community survey asked business owners and residents about a shuttle between June Lake and Mammoth Lakes – times and drop off places. Simpson said he and others are in talks with all shuttle companies including Mammoth Mountain Ski Area and Eastern Sierra Transit Authority. He said $20,000 of the funding is earmarked for transit once details are available through the community survey.
The Mono Tourism Commission and June Lake Revitalization Committee have also talked with the Forest Service about the potential for more cross country ski trails involving June Lake. Asked how residents want to improve the ambience of the town, Simpson said a better look when visitors arrive – better lighting to create atmosphere. He also mentioned package deals of lodging and lift tickets to Mammoth.
The Mono Supervisors also wanted to know at last week’s meeting if the Forest Service had issued a letter of non-compliance to Mammoth Mountain Ski Area for ending operation of June Mountain on a Forest permit. A Forest representative at the meeting said that letter has been issued. Although the future of June Mountain remains uncertain, Simpson did say community members are still working on finding a new buyer. Mammoth Mountain CEO Rusty Gregory had announced the closure of June Mountain some months ago. He had reported that June Mountain was losing around $1.5 million per year and the company could not continue to sustain that loss.
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We live in times where the rich are getting richer at the expense of the non-rich.
Deer Valley, in Park City, Utah knows the target audience that makes up today’s ski crowd.
Every year, when Deer Valley finds out which ski resorts are the charging the most for ski lifts, they automatically raise their lift charge to insure they are the most expensive. The perceived value is obvious and works like a charm.
In today’s precarious climate (some say we better get used to it) the smart businessmen go to the group that has the money.
And I’m sorry to say, June does not attract that group.
And deer valley has a wonderful ski experience, no snowboards allowed, fine dining everywhere, a mountain limit, and customer service agents that are professional retirees. Deer valley is another level. Now June would be a good model to follow in the footsteps of deer valley.
Mammoth went out if their way not to promote June mountain! Remember the morning snow reports! Reporting zero snowfall on June yet mammoth got three feet!
Hopefully the major events group that has been formed can make some headway! However I doubt it! They spend most of their time shooting every idea down and still have not agreed on anything! Yet here we are October! The main issue is volunteers! Without them, no idea will hold up!
Promoting June is not that hard! How about an official website! Just for June lake! How about a banner or signage over SR hwy 158 and hwy 395! Instead of those camouflaged signs 500 feet off the hwy 2 miles before the June lake turnings! Advertising is a good start! Twinkly lights on the main road I. Town is not going to draw tourists! Get the tourists on town then enhance the town after the ideas begin to work!
Hey mono board, where is the subsidy for walker, coleville, Bridgeport, lee vining? Come on, it’s a private venture gone bust, I want my propery tax refund!
Looks like Mono County Government is going into the marketing, transit, ambience of the town, and events business.
I’m beginning to believe Al Gore, it must be the altitude.
I’m waiting ’till we see Mammoth Black Pass Holders showing up at June Mountain parking lot for their own private resort. It’s hard to believe this hasn’t come up in any previous forum discussions. It was mentioned to me by a friend and I dismissed it…But it’s very possible since we haven’t seen any of MMSA’s plans yet. Maybe it’s my fault June closed, I didn’t ski there last year. But then again when I did, the only money I spent was on a beer and chili at Stew Pot Slims. The ski area got my $15, but that’s not enough to run a profitable business, right. What will be the response from the USFS when Rusty does propose “opening for special events” on holidays.
j-Dub- good question. I hope they all tell Mammoth Mountain to go hell. Seriously!