UPDATED 5:45 PM Sunday, Nov. 2

Let the2008-2009 Winter Season begin.

Mammoth Mountain will open for skiing and snowboarding Monday, Nov. 3 after an early-season fall storm dropped about a foot of snow on the mountain.

Mammoth officials confirmed the opening Sunday evening.

Broadway Express (chair 1) is expected to open at 9 a.m. Mammoth Mountain is the first resort to open in California.

“We’re thrilled to be opening early,” Joani Lynch, Mammoth Mountain Communications Director, said. “It’s what Mammoth does. Lots of other resorts wouldn’t go the extra mile to do what we’re doing, so folks can go out and have fun.”

The lower part of the mountain has received 6-12 inches of snow, Lynch said, while more snow dropped mid-mountain and above. Snow showers are expected through Tuesday morning, and snowmaking machines are also working around-the-clock.

Lynch said Mammoth officials will assess the situation after the storm moves out. Additional chairs, most likely Stump Alley Express (chair 2) and Face Lift Express (chair 3), hopefully will open later in the week.

FROM FRIDAY MORNING:

A powerful winter storm packing big moisture swooped onto Mammoth Mountain Thursday night. The storm left 4 to 6 inches of fresh snow at the resort’s Main Lodge. Heavy snowfall was predicted through the weekend, which may allow the Mountain to open for the ski season as early as next week.

MMSA officials had talked of opening November 13th, but this latest weather development bodes well for an early start to the winter season for the Eastern Sierra.

Ski Area employees were geared up to groom and make the Mountain ready for skiers.

Holiday reservations have already started to roll in as Southern California visitors think about Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays in the snow.

Even though some resorts have taken hits because of the downturn in the economy, Mammoth Lakes remains close enough to Los Angeles to offer a nearby vacation at affordable prices. Also, the price of gasoline has dropped considerably. Conventional wisdom says we can expect a healthy ski season with plenty of visitors. (Photo: Cleland Hoff)


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