Mammoth Mountain Ski Area has onehellavuh evening planned for this Saturday, December 17th, 2011. I admit, when MMSA first started promoting its Night of Lights (was the first one in 2007?) I was quick to write it off as just another glitzy “gimmick.” Then, fast-forward to Night of Lights 2009, before I knew what was happening, my girlfriend had me positioned smack dab in the middle of a sea of gape-jawed spectators at Canyon Lodge… My jaw was just as gaped as any. Obviously the show far exceeded my expectations: Red-Bull skydivers, light-show, fireworks, torchbearers, fire-dancers, live music and all. And it was all free! I was thoroughly impressed, which left me wondering… who put up the money for this?
This year’s event appears to be no exception, with a healthy bill of activities lined up for all of Saturday:
Saturday, December 17, 2011*
*Events and times subject to change.
- 12-3pm Roaming Carolers through The Village at Mammoth
- 2pm Fireside Story Time at the Plaza in The Village at Mammoth
- 3-6pm Free concert by “Jeffery James and the Hillbilly Bootleggers” in The Village
- 4-6:30pm Kid-friendly activities at Canyon Lodge including balloon artists, face painters, sledding and appearances by Woolly and Santa!
- 5pm Jacques Simard Magic Show (locations TBD)
- 5pm Photos with Santa in McCoy Sports
- 5pm Night of Lights festivities and food concessions open
- 5:30pm Live music by the Damon Castillo Band
- 6pm Fireside Story Time at the Pathway fire pit in The Village at Mammoth
- 6:30pm Night of Lights Extravaganza including a torchlight parade and fireworks (Canyon Lodge)
- 7:30-9pm Roaming entertainers in The Village at Mammoth.
- 8pm After-hour festivities at Canyon Lodge including live music by The Naked and Famous
- 10pm Last gondola from Canyon down to The Village at Mammoth
- 10pm-Close Night of Lights Afterparty at Hyde Lounge featuring LA Riots
Still on the fence as to whether to pack up the SUV and head up/over to Mammoth this week-end? Considering the fact that even though natural snowfall has been at a minimum, the ski/riding conditions have been excellent. Thanks to an extensive snowmaking effort and consistently cold temps the snow has been holding strong – not to mention if you like riding park, Mammoth has it dialed up. And beginning tomorrow (Wednesday) both Canyon and Little Eagle are slated to open, adding that much more terrain to the picture. So, the fact that Saturday evening there’s a massive fireworks show and torchlight parade followed by a free concert (excellent band selection, I mind add) is simply icing on the cake.
