June Lake people get tough with Mammoth Mountain

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Citizens of June Lake, devastated by the closure of June Mountain last summer, have grabbed for what might seem like their only piece of leverage – Mammoth Mountain’s land trade at the Main Lodge, in the works for a number of years. Residents have sent strong letters to the Forest Service that essentially call for opening June Mountain as a kind of condition for the land trade.

According to Mono County officials, Gregory has asked the Board of Supervisors to write a letter of support for the land trade. The strong points of view over these issues will likely collide when Gregory’s request goes to the Supervisors March 5th. The Ski Area CEO had said publicly he plans to re-open June Mountain next winter. The Forest Service had given Gregory some time on June Mountain but expect him to operate the ski area which is on a Forest Service permit.

As they raise the land trade issue, June Lake people have also hammered on the need to upgrade June Mountain – better infrastructure, a Chair One and snow-making equipment. Asked for his comment on these issues, Mono Supervisor Tim Alpers said he is aware of the letters from June Lake to the Forest Service. He has been copied on many of them.

Alpers said Mono County is concerned about a “healthy, sustainable June Lake. We want it to be successful and not one thing at the expense of another,” he said. Alpers said he sees June Mountain as “a complement to Mammoth – family-oriented, low-keyed and a feeder to Mammoth Mountain.” He said from a County Supervisor’s point of view, June Mountain generates revenue for services. Said Alpers, “I’m interested in jobs and sustainable communities.” He said the facilities involved are on public land, and the Forest Service are recreation stewards. Said Alpers, “They’re the key.”

Meanwhile, a group of June Lake and Mammoth Mountain officials will head to Vermont over the weekend. They plan to visit several small ski areas to get ideas for June Mountain. On the trip – Supervisors Tim Alpers and Larry Johnston, Economic Development officials – Alicia Vennos and Jeff Simpson. From Mammoth Mountain – Carl Williams, Ron Cohen, Jim Smith and Julie Brown. From June Lake – Ralph Lockhart of Double Eagle, Rick McCoy of Boulder Lodge and others.

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Ken Warner
Ken Warner
10 years ago

You are asking questions better addressed to the Mono Supervisors and making assumptions based on hypotheticals.

I have no answers….

Mark
Mark
10 years ago

I’ll tell you what Ken you have my support but I don’t think Mono County needs another money loser. So are we buying June from MMSA or is there some way we can throw June Mountain into the land swap deal. The MMSA might go for such a deal knowing… Read more »

Mark
Mark
10 years ago

“The County should take it over and run it as a municipal facility”

ha ha didn’t know Ken Warner was a government building democrat

I think that’s a terrible idea. Public sector should never compete with private sector ventures.

Ken Warner
Ken Warner
10 years ago
Reply to  Mark

You mean like a mountain that is closed by private industry vs. a mountain that is open and run by the community where it’s located.

Interesting perspective….

Numbers
Numbers
10 years ago

The main lodge is within the town boundaries. Mono County will not have any say in how it is developed once in private hands.

Steve
Steve
10 years ago

Actually the land trade may be beneficial to the county since it takes the land out of government control and places it on the county tax rolls as a private parcel. It might be a higher property tax at that point.

Ken Warner
Ken Warner
10 years ago
Reply to  Steve

You are probably correct. But at what price for the future? Your rational is the exact rational that Mammoth Lakes considered all important and look what we have become with no reversal or now end in sight. You could easily sell one of your kidneys. Short term gain. Questionable in… Read more »

Ken Warner
Ken Warner
10 years ago

The only idea they need to have for June Mountain is to open it. The County should take it over and run it as a municipal facility. The people who know how to run a ski hill all live in Mono County. Want to create jobs — just open the… Read more »