It’s the Ski Season That Wouldn’t End

Surfing or snow boarding? Mountain biking or skiing? Suntan on the beach or catch some rays on the slopes? These are some of the questions snow enthusiasts may be pondering as spring skiing stretches into summer.

Recent storms have dumped tons of snow in the mountains, prompting some resorts to shovel off patios and reopen lifts.

“Just when we thought it was over, El Nino does us another favor,” said Brad Wilson, marketing director at Mountain High in Wrightwood, which closed May 10 but opened three days later after storms dumped 18 inches of fresh snow. The resort closed for good for the season on Monday.

“We thought we were closed for the season and two feet of snow drops and we are back in business,” Wilson said last week. “We are one of nine resorts in the United States that are open.”

By the Fourth of July, skiers and snowboarders will likely have to drive farther, to Mammoth Mountain Ski Area in the eastern Sierra.

At Mammoth, summer skiing is no anomaly, but it is rare.

“I would say this has a lot to do with El Nino,” Mammoth spokeswoman Joanie Saari said. “A typical season runs from before Thanksgiving through Memorial Day weekend. Our latest season ever was through August in the 1994-95 season. In the ‘82-’83 season we closed July 28.

“Because of the warmer temperatures, it’s nice to be out skiing and working on a suntan. People are skiing in shorts and bikini tops.”

Three of the other 26 California resorts that plan to remain open through May 31 are Mount Baldy, and in Tahoe, Squaw Valley with six of 29 lifts and Alpine Meadows with six of 12 lifts. Mount Baldy, which closed briefly during mid-May storms, plans to keep its four lifts open seven days a week. Mount Waterman and Snow Valley, which closed in early May, briefly reopened for the May 16-17 weekend.

“We will be open until June,” said Karen Cornin, Mount Baldy customer service representative. “If we get another storm we will be open longer. It depends on the weather. We haven’t had this kind of season in eight years.”

A photograph on Snow Summit’s Web site last week showed 14 to 18 inches of new snow, but there are no plans to reopen.

At resorts that remain open skiers and snowboarders are enjoying their extra days in the snow. The draw: shorter lines, lighter clothing and cheaper lift tickets (for example, Mount Waterman was charging $10 and Mount Baldy is charging $20).

“It’s my favorite time of the year to snowboard,” said Edward Robinson, 36, of Running Springs.

Robinson explains that the snow is harder in the morning, enabling snowboarders to carve into the slopes, and the wet snow in the afternoons is better for free riding.

Although warmer temperatures began melting away the snow base in April, the slopes weren’t empty. Snow enthusiasts didn’t mind wading through the slush, waiting in lift lines without gloves, jackets or sweaters. Most left the slopes carrying heavier clothing and sporting sunburns.

“I thought it would be quiet here,” said Sarah Vandenbusch, 28, of Burbank, relaxing on the deck at Mountain High. “I came to get away and savor the cool weather before the summer heat . . . instead it’s like the beach--only there’s snow!”

Local resorts, normally closed in early April, have also been scrambling to hold on to seasonal employees as the season stretches on.

“I can’t even keep people working here,” said Jerry Price, general manager at Ski Sunrise, where the season lasted two months longer than last year. “They signed on for part-time jobs and it’s become a full-time one. This is the longest season we have had in 20 years.”

Most of the eight resorts clustered around San Bernardino National Forest and Big Bear report plenty of snow, but a lack of participation ended the season for most early this month. Others closed because other activities are scheduled.

“We’ve got snow to last all the way into June, but we don’t have the riders to pay for it,” said Dave Wilson, general manager and owner of Big Air Snowboard Park, which closed the end of April. “There are two things that tell you when to end the season: your snow is gone or customers have gone to the beach.”

There was no shortage of skiers at Mountain High where business doubled over last year.

“This is clearly going to be one of the longest seasons on record in Southern California,” said Brad Wilson of Mountain High. “Mainly because of the snowfall. We have had 273 inches of total snowfall for the season.

“In other years we have closed [in April]--not because of the lack of snow, but a lack of people.”

One warning. Warm weather skiing prompts many to bare their chests or remove their gloves, but if you do, be prepared to visit the first-aid station.

“Band-Aids are a hot commodity here because everybody is taking their gloves off,” said Mike Jennings, deputy manager of Mountain High Ski Patrol. “Because the snow is softer it’s easier to get ice burns, sunburns and scraped knuckles.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Snowed In

As summer approaches, four California ski resorts remain open. Call for latest conditions, or check https://www. aminews.com/ski/script/California.shtml

* Alpine Meadows

(530) 583-4232

Open through May 25

* Mammoth Mountain

(760) 934-2571 or (888)

4-mammoth or https://www.mammoth-mtn.com

Open indefinitely

* Mount Baldy

(909) 981-3344

Open into June

* Squaw Valley

(530) 583-6955

Open through May 31