California ski resort Mammoth Mountain received its first snowfall of the season last week, which bodes well for their November 8 opening day. But fresh snow won’t be the only thing visitors find when they arrive at Mammoth for opening weekend. The resort has instituted a host of updates and changes that will make the 2012-2013 ski season one to remember.
Snowboarders and free skiers in particular will find plenty to love at Mammoth this season. In addition to their massive Superpipe, which is traditionally the first to open and last to close in North America each year, the new Progression Park is sure to be a big draw. Specifically designed to help skiers and riders improve their skills, the Progression Park starts with some easy features at the beginning and gradually builds to more challenging obstacles further down the hill. Additionally, the new Downtown Collection adds urban themed obstacles to the Main and South Parks, giving snowboarders a whole new set of features to explore.
Mammoth’s new updates and enhancements extend well beyond the slopes and terrain parks, however, as the resort has brought some additional amenities that visitors are sure to love. For instance, new digital lounges have been added to both the Main and Canyon Lodges that offer recharging stations for smartphones and cameras. Those lounges will also provide Internet connections, which will allow visitors to upload their favorite videos and photos to Facebook or Twitter, giving them the opportunity to gloat to friends stuck at home.
Additionally, the onsite daycare center will once again provide infant care for new parents who still want to enjoy a little time on the slopes, while those with kids 7-12 can now get $30 passes so the little ones can get in on the fun too. Additionally, new dining options in the Main Lodge put an emphasis on healthy eating for both children and adults, with vegan and gluten free choices being added to the menu.
As the ski season ramps up near the holidays, air service will resume to Mammoth on December 19. Travelers will then have the option of hopping an affordable flight from Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego and San Francisco directly to the mountain, putting them on the slopes easier and more quickly than ever.
If you’re a skier or snowboarder who is looking forward to the start of the new season, you’ll definitely want to mark November 8 on your schedule. That’s the day that you can finally hit the slopes in Mammoth and enjoy all of the new enhancements for 2012 and 2013. And let’s not forget, Mammoth is so confident that this will be a ski season to remember that they’re even guaranteeing snow.
[Photo courtesy Mammoth Mountain]