“Oh no they didn’t!” Umm, well yes, apparently they did… And I may have an angry mob after me for even drawing attention to this, but… Mammoth Mountain Ski Area has done it again – the Mountain will be open to all snow sliders for FREE ($0, zilch, nada, nothing) this Friday, December 9th, 2011.
Unless anyone has news to the contrary, this rare offering was publicly announced via a post to the official Mammoth Mountain Facebook page:
“Got plans for Friday? You do now. Head to Mammoth for Free Friday, where lift tickets are gratis just for signing up for MyMammoth. 9 lifts (including Roller Coaster Express AKA Chair 4) are slated to spin. Two parks will be up and running as well as our 22 foot half pipe. At Mammoth, conditions are so good we’ll prove it! And be sure to spread the holiday cheer by sharing this update.”
The last time MMSA presented such an offer (Opening Day 2009 – October 16th) it was quite the sight. Ahhh, it was a magical day… picking up on the sarcasm? Ok, really though, it wasn’t that bad. I do remember the day well – at least I can still remember monumental occasions only 2 years past. I arrived at the Mountain at approx. 9:30am to discover a sight the likes I’d never see before (and haven’t seen since): the line for Broadway Express, Chair 1 was a BEAST. I didn’t even take my skis out of my truck, made an about-face, returned to town for lunch, ran some errands and returned to the hill just before 2pm. By that time, most people were so fed up with the 1hr+ lift line wait for 1 run, the crowds had dispersed – we got in more runs in that 2 hour window than we could count, never having to wait in a lift line. As always, it was a great Opening Day.
The moral of the story… if you plan on skiing Mammoth this Friday (pass-holder or not) expect the unexpected and come with an open-mind and a positive attitude because that way, no matter what unfolds on this day, you will have a good time (just remember not to French Fry when you want to Pizza). Also, keep in mind, there will be many more runs open and lifts in operation this time around.
What are your thoughts on MMSA’s nifty marketing decision? Good, charitable, crazy… somewhere in-between? Will you partake? My 2 cents… I hope it gives our little mtn. town a nice financial shot in the arm. Look, most businesses in this town make their money in small calendar windows as is; when that window is cut short, times get tight. So, I say, “come on up (or over) because we’re all here to have a good time, right?”
A thought for MMSA management… Perhaps give more of a heads up notice on an “event” like this in the future. There are probably a lot of pass-holders (and non) that made plans in advance to take advantage of heading to Mammoth for a nice, quiet, pre-holiday excursion… They may be in for a bit of surprise – I’ll let you know how it all goes down.