For the next few weeks, “Ask Dr. Kaye” is going to focus on renewable energy. I’ll be investigating a select few of the leading sources of non-fossil fuel based power, … Read More

It’s trailer time again. The newest trailer drop is from Boulder, CO based Stept Productions with their film “The Eighty Six.” This is the tenth annual film from Stept, originally from Winchester, Mass and is directed by Nick Martini and Cam Riley. The film is said to be a “migration from ski resorts, to cities, and back to the mountains.” The trailer has what looks to be footage at the Denver Broncos stadium, a bunch of POLICE footage as well as an abundance of urban creativity.

Riders:

Clayton Vila
Sean Jordan
Cam Riley
Charlie Owens
Shea Flynn
Matt Walker
Parker White
Noah Albaladejo
Justin Norman
Many More…

Filmed on Location in:

Jackson Hole (WY), Mount Baker (WA), Breckenridge (CO), Mammoth Mountain (CA), Mount Hood (OR), Denver, CO, Fargo, ND, Duluth, MN and Boulder, CO.

The film is also tied into a clothing line being sold by Stept this Fall.

Pre-order at STEPT PRODUCTIONS

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, … Read More

MAMMOTH CONDITIONS REPORT | The count is on – Less than a week to go before Mammoth’s lifts stop spinning… for skiing and snowboarding that is. With the end of … Read More

MAMMOTH CONDITIONS REPORT | When the beach weather’s so very nice it certainly can be difficult to think snow… Understood. Even around Mammoth Lakes GREEN is the predominant color these … Read More

For the 2012 West Coast Invitational Mammoth shifted gears in a BIG way. For 10 years straight the WCI showcase event was a Snowboard Rail Jam at the Village. The powers-that-be decided it was time for a change… And, despite a markedly low snow year, Mammoth forged ahead with plans to move the excitement of WCI from the Village to Canyon Lodge.

A Village Rail Jam would forego something totally new for WCI – a skier/snowboarder paired Big Air Team Format Comp at Canyon Lodge. No snow at Canyon Lodge? No problem… Actually, more like BIG problem. A team of snowcats worked day and night to push a tremendous amount of snow from the lower slopes of Lincoln Mountain all the way down to Canyon Lodge to bring the massive Big Air jump to life.

The result? 1) A beautifully constructed 70-foot (90 to the sweet spot), true table, channel gap jump. 2) A spectacular display of top-caliber ski & snowboard talent under the prime-time lights – see video above for a sampling of the action that went down.

The comp was great. Teams of 1 skier and 1 snowboarder competed head to head, the team with the highest score advancing. As teams advanced the competition became more fierce, jaws dropped lower and lower.

Winners Bracket from the 2012 WCI Big Air Comp. image: www.mammothmountain.com

The verdict on the comp? Great venue, great comp format, some very worthy talent. Shortcomings? It needs a bigger audience. With a bigger crowd there would be that much more energy and excitement pulsing through the air. The natural “amphitheatre” that is Canyon Lodge would take hundreds (if not 1000s) to make it feel like a full house. How to draw more attendees? Spread the word… Mammoth Spring: awesome weather, great snow, top-notch freeride ski and snowboard comps and free live music.

MAMMOTH CONDITIONS REPORT | There’s no denying that the snowpack is receding yet with temps in check (we’re talking highs in the 50s) most seem optimistic that there’ll be plenty … Read More

Crank the air, hold the Jam… The Mammoth West Coast Invitational returns for its 11th year yet this weekend’s line-up presents some markedly different events. In fact nearly ever angle … Read More

MAMMOTH CONDITIONS REPORT | Some of the best days hit when you least expect it… Today was one of those days. Even local’s jaws were gaped today thanks to a … Read More

MAMMOTH CONDITIONS VIDEO | How’s the weather at the beach these days? Word has it the “May-Gray” has come early this year. Well, up at Mammoth we really don’t have a Marine Layer to contend with. Temps are high, skies are BLUE, the snow’s slushy (in a good way), layers are scant (on bodies and the lower mountain) and all present for Mammoth’s Springfest 2012 were summarily entertained.

Here’s my post-weekend offering for a Conditions Report – some VIDEO and a handful of pics. Otherwise, what’s the skinny on conditions these days? I won’t beat around the bush… Warm temps may make for some comfortable, soft riding conditions but there’s no doubt that our snowpack is melting with a quickness.

I love spring time riding at Mammoth and current conditions have not disappointed. Yet given present temp/weather trends it would appear that this year our spring season may be cut short. My advice: get it while you can, you’ll be glad you did.

Just another day at the beach.

Canyon Lodge Pond Skim - a good time, every time.

West Bowl zipper line is ready to put you in your place!

The PROS:

• Even with a substantial portion of the Mountain now without lift service, there’s a lot of great riding out there.
• Shed them layers and double down on the sun protection.
• All groomed runs have outstanding corn snow.
• A full-on party atmosphere was in effect this weekend. Very quiet out there now.
• As always, the Pond Skim was a hit.
• Great bump lines are taking shape.
• Volcom PBRJ Championships Snowboard Rail Jam was on Saturday – always good for endless oooohhhhs and aaaahhhhs.

Mammoth, weathering the warmth.

The CONS:

• That‘s a wrap for Canyon and Juniper base areas. Juniper limped it’s way to this closing date.
• By mid-day there’s a fair number of sticky spots lurking out there. Regularly waxing your boards is a near must this time of the season.
• Many lifts are now closed for the season. Trust me, you’ll make-out just fine without them.
• Sticky spots aren’t the only thing to look out for – Thin and bare spots are sprouting up daily. Continue to relearn coverage on runs ‘cause you do not want to be caught off-guard by a one of these.
• All-in-all the off-piste riding is sticky and heavy. The more people ride through a line the better the snow gets.

A sign of the times... Thin spot growing at the top of Chair 2

BIG bare spot by the top of Chair 4.

Does this tell the story of Juniper Springs for Sunday? I'd say so.

PARK REPORT:

• This is a great time of year to lap Main and Forest Trail Parks.
• Great time to improve you pipe riding skills.
• Pretty much the earlier you get out the less beat-up take-offs and landings will be. Hey, that’s par for spring park riding.
• Chair 4 and South Park are done for the season – it was in great shape right up ‘til the end.

So long South Park, it was fun while it lasted, even if you never had a half pipe

One last look at South Park for 2011/2012 season.

Like to watch top snowboard talent try to out-duel each other on boxes and rails? You'll love the Volcom PBRJ Championships at Mammoth

The STATS:

• New Snow: Yup, looks as though we’ll see some later this week.
• Base: approx. 6’ and shrinking
• Weather: Temps are high and clouds are building up bigger and bigger each afternoon (even more incentive to get out early). Precip. is forecasted for each day this week. We’ll probably see light afternoon rain the next couple days then hopefully it’ll be cool enough by Wed/Thurs to produce snow.
• Conditions: Deep spring corn, slush, afternoon glop.
• Lifts: Mid-week we’re now down to 1, 2, 3, 6, 11, G1, G2.
• Runs: Upper mountain’s still in good shape. Canyon and Juniper are toast (not that you’d be headed there anyhow).

Bottom line: The spring riding is killer right now, even if only a fraction of Mammoth’s lifts are currently in operation. With warm temps you best get to it while you still can.