Mammoth Mountain Opening Day 2015-2016 : Gallery

Describe it as you like, but it’s shaping up to be a November to remember for California ski resorts, at least two of which are opening early after recent storms.

During the 2014-2015 season, Mammoth was lucky enough to receive a few late April and early May storms, thus extending their season, and thus avoiding the early closures that plagued much of the North West. As of late Tuesday, the resort said Chairs 1 and 3 would be spinning for opening day. To attract skiers and snowboarders, the resort is discounting lift tickets to $50, less than half the usual price.

The lifts would be open Thursday from 8:30 a.m.to 4 p.m., according to the website.

Last year, ski areas in the region didn’t get almost as much snow as they hoped for. At Mammoth Mountain, operations began Thursday, six full days ahead of the scheduled grand opening. Many are saying these were the best opening day conditions Mammoth has had in the past five years, but as we sit in SoCal with our board strapped to our feet, drooling over the sight of fresh snow, we’re not claiming anything.

Granted, only a fraction of the mountain is open, a few runs and a few lifts, but it’s a start.