California: June Mountain returns to ski action with $10 lift tickets

The big news in the So Cal ski scene this weekend is the reopening of June Mountain, Mammoth’s sister resort to the north. Lift tickets today (Friday) will be only $10, and kids 12 and younger ski free all season long.

About half the mountain is expected to be in play for the opening weekend. Because of lower terrain, June has not enjoyed the same productive storms that have blanketed Mammoth Mountain, which is reporting a base depth of 25 inches. June is reporting a 6-18-inch base.

Twenty minutes north of Mammoth in the Eastern Sierra, June Mountain has always provided a more intimate and authentic ski experience. Generations of skiers first learned there. About 80% of the runs are intermediate or beginner. The resort closed last season during a round of cost-cutting.

“June has a special place in the hearts of so many skiers and snowboarders, and I know they’re just as excited as we are that June Mountain is reopening on Friday,” General Manager Carl Williams said in a release. “We’ve made some improvements that I think visitors are really going to appreciate.”

Among the changes, a new lounge area designed with parents in mind. At the base, themed programming for kids, including bonfire celebrations.

Meanwhile, Mammoth continues to expand terrain. Chair 5 will open this weekend, uping the total to 11 lifts and 35 trails.

Closer to home, snowmaking continues at Big Bear. Snow Summit now is running lifts 1 through 5 and 7 and 8. Bear Mountain has opened lifts 1,2,6,7 and 9.

At Mountain High, night skiing begins tonight (Friday). The Wrightwood resort will offer night hours seven days a week from here out, with 80% of the west resort lighted up.The east and north resorts have still not opened. West is running six lifts, with 14 trails. Snow depths are reported at 12-24 inches.

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