Skiing in April?
#2
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,294
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Mid-April would be a little iffy for good skiing. A lot of times, the snow is hit-and-miss and when there is snow, it usually turns into hard-pack rather quickly. Can you change to February or March? These usually are better months for skiing.
#7
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 54
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The base at Mammoth is the best in years. Barring a heat wave in the Spring they will easily be open to the traditional long season close date of July 4. I have skiied there in June in good years and it is un-be-liev-able. It can be sunny and in the mid 50's to 60's. Experience dictates getting an early start and finishing by early afternoon. Mornings are brisk with hard crust that softens and is ideal by around 10 a.m. By 1 p.m. it is so soft and slushy, and so much work to turn you will be ready to absorb the warmth and rays of a deck someplace.
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#10
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,265
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I agree that your best options are Alta/Snowbird or Mammoth. Another consideration, if you're flying in, is that Alta/Snowbird is a lot easier to get to than Mammoth. I love Mammoth & June Mtn. (going up this weekend), but it is a long drive from any major airport.
My friend, a former Mammoth ski instructor, is fond of saying "The highest point at Heavenly (Tahoe) is about the same altitude of the parking lot at Mammoth." (I haven't check her facts to see if that's true.)
My friend, a former Mammoth ski instructor, is fond of saying "The highest point at Heavenly (Tahoe) is about the same altitude of the parking lot at Mammoth." (I haven't check her facts to see if that's true.)
#11
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 90
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Heavenly reports a top elevation of 10,067 feet with a 3,500 vertical drop and 4,800 skiable acres.
Mammoth reports topping out at 11,053 feet with a 3,100 vertical drop and 3,500 skiable acres.
That puts Mammoth's parking lot at 7,953 feet... about 2,100 feet below Heavenly's top. Now, I've never been to Mammoth so maybe they have really high parking lots or something...
Mammoth reports topping out at 11,053 feet with a 3,100 vertical drop and 3,500 skiable acres.
That puts Mammoth's parking lot at 7,953 feet... about 2,100 feet below Heavenly's top. Now, I've never been to Mammoth so maybe they have really high parking lots or something...
#12
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,265
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I just knew I could count on someone on this board to check the facts. I'll have to tell her to stop saying that!
Suffice it to say she was an instructor waaaay before the last few upgrades at Heavenly, so at one time her facts may have been correct.
Suffice it to say she was an instructor waaaay before the last few upgrades at Heavenly, so at one time her facts may have been correct.
#13
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,265
Likes: 0
Okay, I had to do a bit more research. The Main Lodge parking lot at Mammoth is at an elevation of 8909'. That's a higher elevation than the peaks of many resorts. I'll have to tell her to change her comparision from Heavenly to Squaw Valley, where the peak elevation is 8900'.




