Mammoth Mountain Breaks All-Time Season Snowfall Record, Extends Season to Fourth of July

MAMMOTH LAKES, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE^[1])–April 5, 2006–A massive April storm in Mammoth pushed the California resort past the all-time snowfall record on Tuesday afternoon. As of Wednesday morning, Mammoth Mountain had recorded 632 inches, or 52 feet of snow since October. The previous record of 617 inches was set in the 1992/93 season. The enormous 20-foot-deep snow pack prompted officials to extend the ski season to the Fourth of July. Mammoth Mountain, typically known for its sunny days, has had measurable amounts of snow fall 24 of the past 36 days. March was a near-record month with 189 inches of snow, followed by 73 inches of snow in the first few days of April.

The Mountain Operations crew has done a tremendous amount of digging to allow Mammoth’s 28 chairlifts to run. Recent storms have buried everything from chairlifts to equipment and signage. The snow pack is so deep that at Mammoth Mountain’s Main Lodge, skiers and snowboarders have to walk down onto the third-story sundeck.

“Because there has been so little sun in the last month the snow pack is not settling and snow piles are as high as we’ve ever seen them,” said Clifford Mann, Director of Mountain Operations and long-time Mammoth resident. “All of Mammoth’s snow-storage spaces are full and we have to move snow to new locations.”

Mammoth will be open for skiing and riding on the entire mountain through April 30. From April 30 until at least July 4, Mammoth will offer skiing and riding from top to bottom out of Main Lodge. Season passes for the 2006/07 season on sale now will be valid starting May 1, 2006. For more information on snowfall totals, weather and lodging, visit MammothMountain.com.

By the Numbers:

— 73 inches of snow have fallen since April 1

— It snowed 20 out of 31 days in the month of March for a total of 189 inches

— As of April 5, the season snowfall total at Mammoth was 632 inches or 52 feet

— To date there have been 20 storms of more than 12 inches in a 24-hour period

— On January 1st more than 8 feet of snow fell in a 36-hour period

— The previous record of 617 inches was set in the 1992/93 season