MMSA closes june for summer and coming ski snowboard season
powder skiing and snowboarding on the wall
June Mountain, a timeless tradition… Has June’s time come? photo: junemountain.com, Christian Pondella

PSYCH!! You thought June Mountain was opening today for summer operations, didn’t you? That’s okay, so did we… so did everyone – it was pretty well advertised as such. Well, not only did Mammoth Mountain Brass make the last minute decision to pull the plug on June Mountain summer operations but apparently they’ve taken the axe-wielding one giant chop further… MMSA WILL NOT BE OPERATING JUNE MOUNTAIN FOR THE UPCOMING 2012-2013 WINTER SEASON.

Here is the official statement posted today on the Mammoth Mountain Forum:

June 21, 2012

Rusty Gregory, Mammoth Mountain Ski Area Chairman and CEO, announced today the company will not operate June Mountain this summer and for the upcoming 2012-13 winter season. “June has operated at an annual deficit each year since its purchase in 1986,” said Gregory. “It is time to invest some of this subsidy into the analysis and planning required to position the resort for a sustainable future, then secure the approvals and financing required to create it.”

Mammoth purchased June Mountain in 1986 with the idea of significantly increasing the size of the resort by building new facilities, extending new runs to the June Lake Village, and fostering additional developed ski areas along the San Joaquin Ridge, resulting in a connection between Mammoth and June Mountains. For a number of reasons, these plans were never realized and June Mountain has, in turn, suffered from an identity crisis that has both stifled its ability to achieve its full potential and required substantial financial subsidy from Mammoth on an annual basis. Cessation of operations will help the company dedicate its focus to a new future for June Mountain. Mammoth will be working with its partner the U.S. Forest Service to reach the best possible result in this endeavor.

In the weeks to come, Mammoth will be working to determine if and to what extent it can absorb June’s year round workforce.

Mammoth Mountain will continue to offer world-class skiing, snowboarding and summer activities for locals and visitors to the region.

Mammoth Mountain has operated continuously under permit from the U.S. Forest Service since 1954, and operated both resorts for the past 26 years. Mammoth Mountain Ski Area also owns and operates a variety of resort businesses including recreation, hospitality, food and beverage and retail including Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, Tamarack Lodge and Resort, Mammoth Snowmobile Adventures, Woolly’s Adventure Summit, Mammoth Mountain Bike Park and the Mammoth Mountain Inn. Mammoth Mountain also operates Juniper Springs Resort, the Village at Mammoth, and Sierra Star Golf Course.

j1 face powder ski and snowboard
No more “all-you-can-eat” powder turns powder days on the Face? photo: doconboards

Wow, this IS sad news. I won’t try to kid anyone (or myself for that matter), June Mountain hasn’t been a money-maker. Anyone that has visited June over the years knows the scene: chill, mellow, downright dead quiet. Think June’s making money with this level (or lack-there-of) of activity? Doubtful. Yet, that’s not the point. The mere presence of June Mountain has had huge implications for the existence and operation of big Sis’ Mammoth Mountain. June is like the “pressure release valve” for Mammoth. Want to escape the “scene” at Mammoth? June Mountain, just 20 minutes up the road… Well, not any more.

ski snowboard freeride halfpipe superpipe
No more perfectly cut half-pipe, no more “have-it-all-to-yourself” park? photo: InstinctImages

Any suggestions as to how to resolve this? What about a public buy-out of the facilities and the lease agreement with the US Forest Service? A publicly owned and operated Eastern Sierra ski area? That could be interesting.

machine groomed skiing and snowboarding
No more endless, all-day groomers? photo: junemountain.com, Christian Pondella

Many may offer that it was only a matter of time before such as drastic decision concerning the fate of June Mountain was to be handed down. Well, no matter how predictable this day may have been it seems abrupt none-the-less. The fact that June will closed for the 2012-2013 winter season doesn’t feel real at his point… Is it?

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49 replies on “MMSA Makes BIG Cuts | June Mountain CLOSED FOREVER?! Is This For Real?!”