June Mountain, CA Throws In The Towel?

[jamesdeluxe]

I'm sure we'll get a news item later, but if true, this is pretty amazing.

http://tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75059

 

[Tony Crocker]

Not surprising to me. I've always wondered about the future of June since Intrawest came in 1998, given that June is so empty. At my first NASJA meeting in 1999 we had a Q&A session with management, and I asked about June since I knew Dave McCoy had spent big $ upgrading its lifts.

Rusty Gregory replied that those were sunk costs and that the marginal cost of running June wasn't that much. However further development was unlikely since there is practically no bed base and McCoy's original vision of connecting the areas (6 miles apart) with lifts was not a priority.

June only gets 2/3 as much snow as Mammoth, so obviously it's going to be bad in a year like this. There are $ to be saved by laying off the employees now. Presumably June will still operate in better years in the future.

More details/comments: http://forums.mammothmountain.com/forum ... erthread=y

 

[CWHappyRN]

I received this email from a June Mountain Patrol. Well, FYI. And Big Bear has gotten so little snow, a few inches meaning like 2". The media is amazing how they exaggerate. We think that they are paid. They even said come ski n Big Bear! Fatalities today on the road because it was really more like rain than snow, then ice. I would not even call this snow!

To: * JP Ski Patrol VTA - 06/07 ; * JP Host Patrol - 06/07 ; * JP Candidates - 06/07
Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 2007 6:58 AM
Subject: JP-June Mountain Is Closed



June Mountain Is Closed
Snow Report for Monday Jan 29

Unfortunately, due to the challenging weather and lack of natural snowfall at June Mountain, the ski area has closed operations for the season as of Sunday, January 28.

The 2-18 inch base and ten trails that we offered was no longer providing a quality experience for our guests. Due to the late snowfall this season and the fact that more than half of the employees will leave the June area, we will be unable to re-open this season even if there is a radical improvement in the snow.

**We are pleased to announce that all June Mountain Season Passes will be honored at Mammoth Mountain for the remainder of the season. All remaining pass holders that have not picked up their passes can do so at Main Lodge Tickets in Mammoth.

With a higher elevation, more natural snowfall and an extensive snowmaking system, Mammoth Mountain currently has a 3-4 foot base of packed powder and machine groomed snow. Conditions on Mammoth's groomed runs are excellent.

Don't forget to bring your friends with you to Mammoth! The June Mountain Bring a Friend postcards will be honored at Mammoth Mountain, with the following changes: Instead of 50% off regular priced tickets you will receive $49 Adult tickets, $37 Youth tickets and $25 Child and Senior tickets. Valid Monday through Friday January 30 - April 22, 2007. 7-days a week April 23 through Mammoth Mountain closing day 2007. Same restrictions apply.

We appreciate all your patronage and support for June Mountain.

Comments and questions can be directed to June Mountain 760.648.7733 or aross@mammoth-mtn.com.


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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Events Scheduled at June Mountain
All events scheduled at June Mountain will be hosted at Mammoth Mountain, other venues or canceled. We will post any information regarding these events at JuneMountain.com. Mammoth Mountain's calendar of events can be found at MammothEvents.com
Mountain Conditions
New Snow: 0 in.
Storm Totals: 0 in.
Depth:
Surface:
Weather
Conditions: Mostly Cloudy
Morning temp: @ 6am 12°
Daytime temps: in the 30's
Wind: Calm Current Conditions <http://mailings.mammothmountain.com/t/55922/285192/3277616/0/>


Parks
Mambo: closed
Sunrise Upper: closed
Gunsmoke: closed
Sunrise Lower: closed
Pipes
SuperPipe closed
MiniPipe: closed

Lifts: 0 expected
Real-Time Lift Status <http://mailings.mammothmountain.com/t/55922/285192/3277612/0/>
In Parnership with
Inyo National Forest <http://mailings.mammothmountain.com/t/55922/285192/4/0/>
To leave this June Mountain Weekly Snow Report: Leave <http://mailings.mammothmountain.com/t/55922/285192/3866334/0/> To update your entire June and Mammoth guest profile: Update Profile <http://mailings.mammothmountain.com/t/55922/285192/3866335/0/> For information:
call 800.MAMMOTH / 760.934.2571
Contact June Mountain <http://mailings.mammothmountain.com/t/55922/285192/3277618/0/>
©2007 June Mountain all rights reserved.
3819 Hwy 158 June Lake, CA 93529
Stewards of our Environment <http://mailings.mammothmountain.com/t/55922/285192/162575/0/>

 

[schubwa]

I'm thinking they should turn June into a dedicated terrain park-only area. It's not really good for anything else (no sugarcoating here).
Occasionally, we would go over there and ski the lower terrain when Mammoth was in a whiteout, on a big year. It does have really good backcountry access into the Negatives and the rest of the San Joaquin ridge area. But other than that, it is really funky and like an upside down cake. It is steep at the bottom (hardly ever good coverage), way flat in the middle, a berm in the middle that prevents top-to-bottom runs, and then high intermediate at the top.
With all the surf influenced culture (SoCal) and pro drawing power of nearby Mammoth Mountain, I think a park-only concept might work. My kids (19 and 14) always pester us to go to the "top rated" park areas when we go on a ski trip. Anyways, that's my armchair quarterbacking thoughts for the day!

 

[Judz]

Since mammoth already has a world class terrain park, i doubt they would consider making june into a bear mountain esque ski area. I honestly have enjoyed june the few times ive gone there, its not a perfect mountain, but when mammoth is crowded, and it has snow, its plenty of fun.

 

[CWHappyRN]

I'm thinking they should turn June into a dedicated terrain park-only area.

I think this may save their skin. I hear from some longtime patrollers there that the management has thought of closing the whole place. I don't believe in snowboarding. I am sorry, as an ER who sees 99.9% of the irresponsible boarders and their victims, it really is not a sport I am impressed with. However, if they can escape the liability suits, an all boarding park to get them to board at June sounds good to me. Some are fun to work with, energetic, etc. It all seems not very brilliant to use your body to stop and break it in the process when poles are available and skis that come off. It is only my personal preference when I see head trauma with lasting IQ and personality effects and nasy disfigurement and disabling fractures all day. I am not a superhero or athlete. I have skied for over 30 years and never injured my self in those ways! I used to race too! I simply patrol now and work in the ER. It changes you for the wiser. I am not a proboarder. Our surgeon was operating with a wrist fracture from boarding?????????????????????????????????????? Some jumped through hoops to get there. There critical thiking skills did not make it through the hoop, IMHO> Sorry, I am not a fan of injuries. I hope June stays open to ease the crowds at Mammoth. I love midweek skiing and non-crowded areas!

 

[Judz]

I don't believe in snowboarding. I am sorry, as an ER who sees 99.9% of the irresponsible boarders and their victims, it really is not a sport I am impressed with. However, if they can escape the liability suits, an all boarding park to get them to board at June sounds good to me. Some are fun to work with, energetic, etc. It all seems not very brilliant to use your body to stop and break it in the process when poles are available and skis that come off.

As a 17 year old snowboarder, i find myself fighting the "punk" stereotype pretty much every time i am on the mountain. Yes there are lots of irresponsible snowboarders, but there are plenty of irresponsible skiers too. And as for the injuries, this is simply because most of the people that use terrain parks are snowboarders, and this aspect of riding is by far the most dangerous (In bounds at least). But this dosent represent every snowboarder on the mountain, and you should not judge all of us based on the idiots who end up in the ER becuase they thought they could clear a 50ft table top, and dont know what the hell they are doing. Personally i, and many of my friends for that matter, have somewhat of a skier mentality towards riding. I will hit the park from time to time, but powder is what i absolutely live for. Snowboarding is not more dangerous than skiing, its just has more dangerous people doing the activity.

It is only my personal preference when I see head trauma with lasting IQ and personality effects and nasy disfigurement and disabling fractures all day. I am not a superhero or athlete. I have skied for over 30 years and never injured my self in those ways!

Yah people get hurt in the park... its why its dangerous. On the other hand though, ive also never met a snowboarder who has torn an ACL, and i personally know 4 skiers who have. Getting hurt while on the snow has nothing to do with whether you go skiing or snowboarding, its is how you ski or snowboard that matters.

 

[snowave]

I don't believe in snowboarding. I am sorry, as an ER who sees 99.9% of the irresponsible boarders and their victims, it really is not a sport I am impressed with. However, if they can escape the liability suits, an all boarding park to get them to board at June sounds good to me. Some are fun to work with, energetic, etc. It all seems not very brilliant to use your body to stop and break it in the process when poles are available and skis that come off.

As a 17 year old snowboarder, i find myself fighting the "punk" stereotype pretty much every time i am on the mountain. Yes there are lots of irresponsible snowboarders, but there are plenty of irresponsible skiers too. And as for the injuries, this is simply because most of the people that use terrain parks are snowboarders, and this aspect of riding is by far the most dangerous (In bounds at least). But this dosent represent every snowboarder on the mountain, and you should not judge all of us based on the idiots who end up in the ER becuase they thought they could clear a 50ft table top, and dont know what the hell they are doing. Personally i, and many of my friends for that matter, have somewhat of a skier mentality towards riding. I will hit the park from time to tim, but powder is what i absolutely live for. Snowboarding is not more dangerous than skiing, its just has more dangerous people doing the activity.

It is only my personal preference when I see head trauma with lasting IQ and personality effects and nasy disfigurement and disabling fractures all day. I am not a superhero or athlete. I have skied for over 30 years and never injured my self in those ways!

Yah people get hurt in the park... its why its dangerous. On the other hand though, ive also never met a snowboarder who has torn an ACL, and i personally know 4 skiers who have. Getting hurt while on the snow has nothing to do with whether you go skiing or snowboarding, its is how you ski or snowboard that matters.

Couldn't have said it much better.. and I'm 35 yrs old, and been riding for 15 years... luckily, to this point, I've only had a couple bruised ribs as my worst injuries... however, I rarely go in the parks, but usually ride advanced terrain regularly.

It's unfortunate you have this attitude towards snowboarding, and even more so as a Patroller who is supposed to be professional and respectful of all aspects of snowsports on the mountain.

Maybe you should let your supervisor know how you feel about snowboarding... and hopefully, if they are competent in their Patrol program, they will consider replacing you with a patroller that has a little more respect for a sport that is probably getting close to outnumbering skiers, in the state of California.. not to mention, snowboarding likely provides millions of dollars in revenue to help keep many of the resorts across the country open and allow for captial improvements that benefit all of us.

Sorry... 8)

p.s. Maybe you should try snowboarding yourself!

 

[CO_knuckle_dragger]

Are we still having snowboarder vs. skier arguments in California? I've never heard anyone do it but in jest in Colorado. I'm an ER nurse in Denver and see more skiing than snowboarding injuries. Maybe Cali boarders are crazier/dumber?

 

[snowave]

It's really not that much of an issue from what I see, but comments like CW's continue to spur the few arguments that due arise.

I had to speak up in this case becasue I think the previous comments were unprofessional and out of line... and I took it personally. I enjoy what I do immensely, and someone that is supposed to be out there looking out for us on the mountain is telling us she doesn't respect or believe in the sport.. It's not very comforting seeing that attitude openly expressed from
a person in her postion (as a patroller). That's my main point here.

I rarely have issues with skiiers..(or anyone for that matter) and it's not an issue for most people I know. In fact, I tend to ride with skiiers much more than I do with fellow boarders, FWIW.

 

[lookn4powder]

I don't believe in snowboarding. I am sorry, as an ER who sees 99.9% of the irresponsible boarders and their victims, it really is not a sport I am impressed with. However, if they can escape the liability suits, an all boarding park to get them to board at June sounds good to me. Some are fun to work with, energetic, etc. ...

Maybe you should let your supervisor know how you feel about snowboarding... and hopefully, if they are competent in their Patrol program, they will consider replacing you with a patroller that has a little more respect ...

I'm not much into rider vs skier dissing, but I think that this is an huge overreaction as I heard no indication that she would deny normal first-responder duties. Perhaps a little more respect for her point of view might help here. Patrolers get tired of cleaning up messes that were easily avoided. Even if they do it week after week absent of visible prejudice, most have an opinion based on their experiences.

Jeff

 

[snowave]

I don't believe in snowboarding. I am sorry, as an ER who sees 99.9% of the irresponsible boarders and their victims, it really is not a sport I am impressed with. However, if they can escape the liability suits, an all boarding park to get them to board at June sounds good to me. Some are fun to work with, energetic, etc. ...

Maybe you should let your supervisor know how you feel about snowboarding... and hopefully, if they are competent in their Patrol program, they will consider replacing you with a patroller that has a little more respect ...

I'm not much into rider vs skier dissing, but I think that this is an huge overreaction as I heard no indication that she would deny normal first-responder duties. Perhaps a little more respect for her point of view might help here. Patrolers get tired of cleaning up messes that were easily avoided. Even if they do it week after week absent of visible prejudice, most have an opinion based on their experiences.

Jeff

I agree that it would take a very low person to use a bias to deny medical treatment to someone that truly needed it, and I probably should have made it more clear that that was NOT my intentions. I'm not accusing this kind of action would take place.

However, other Patroller duties are at stake here... and this is an example of what I would be concerned COULD happen in an extreme circumstance..

I saw a patroller at Mammoth a few years ago almost systematically take tickets/passes only from snowboarders, for 10 minutes for crossing a temporary rope set up to access chair 5 liftline.. while skiers went flying by doing the same thing.. the 50 or so people in line (while waiting for patrol to open up on a pow day) watching starting taking notice of the trend and and became furious, started yelling, and many apparently complained. It was an issue around town (Mammoth Lakes) for 2 weeks after.... and I heard that the patroller was reprimanded for his actions.. but didn't find out the reasoning.

again.. I'm not accusing these actions, I'm just saying I would be apprehensive about a patroller with these attitudes being on the hill.

 

[Judz]

This isnt a skier vs. rider debate. Personally I could care less whether someone skis or snowboards, enjoying the mountains with fellow snow lovers is what I enjoy. I just found it a bit unsetteling that someone would make such strong prejudices against a sport i truly love based on generalizations.

 

[Tony Crocker]

I am in agreement with Judz' comments on both June Mt. and snowboarding.

Mammoth's terrain parks are rated at least top 5 in North America. That will never work as a means of drawing more people to June. I just hope what Rusty Gregory said in 1999 is still true: that June has low marginal cost to operate, so they won't try to develop it more but it will still be there as an alternative to Mammoth on blow-down storm days, or for those who want to escape crowds. I'd also add that June is possibly the best place I've ever seen to take beginners. They get a beautiful 2 1/2 mile scenic and uncrowded run from 10,000 feet. It has to be a great place to introduce new people to skiing or snowboarding.

CWHappyRN formerly patrolled at Mt. Baldy and now patrols at Bear Mt.

Baldy, as we know, is a steep, natural snow dependent area that attracts competent skiers and riders, I'd guess 2/3 skiers. If you don't know what you're doing that mountain will punish you. Unfortunately CWHappyRN with her RN training observed some patrol practices at Baldy that were not up to her professional standards and decided to patrol elsewhere.

Bear Mt. is now very professionally operated by Snow Summit (including patrol), and as I have mentioned the park features are concentrated at Bear. Therefore clientele is 95% snowboarder, incuding the reckless element that CWHappyRN sees in the ER. Bear Mt. is not representative of the snowboard population at even Mammoth, much less North America as a whole. And of course what she sees in the ER is the worst of Bear.

 

[Marc_C]

Bear Mt. is now very professionally operated by Snow Summit (including patrol), and as I have mentioned the park features are concentrated at Bear. Therefore clientele is 95% snowboarder, incuding the reckless element that CWHappyRN sees in the ER. Bear Mt. is not representative of the snowboard population at even Mammoth, much less North America as a whole. And of course what she sees in the ER is the worst of Bear.

Putting a slightly different spin on it....the patrol and physicians/PAs at Alta, Deer Valley, Taos, and Mad River Glen only see injured skiers. A statement from them that obviously, skiers are less safe than snowboarders, would be just as egregious a generalization.

 

[lookn4powder]

...Putting a slightly different spin on it....the patrol and physicians/PAs at Alta, Deer Valley, Taos, and Mad River Glen only see injured skiers. A statement from them that obviously, skiers are less safe than snowboarders, would be just as egregious a generalization.

While skiing Alta in Dec (Hi Marc!) my buddy Tom, who patrols at Ski Liberty (PA), and I stopped by the Collins lift patrol shack. During discussions it came out the Alta ski patrol evacuates only about four skiers a day! In PA Tom has removed by sled as many skiers & boarders on a single day--and Liberty is a tiny area compared to Alta. My buddy attributes the difference the higher skills displayed by the average Alta skier.

As I said before, dissing skiers or boarders is a worthless exercise. Both activities are velocity sports that cause injuries. I vaguely remember that the average skier suffers a significant injury (sprained thumb or worse) every 300 days. I seem to be near the average. I ski only and I'm fairly conservative--but I ski it all and sometimes under icy conditions. Over the years I have sprained both knees & ankles & broken a foot (1st day skiing--dang bear-trap bindings), hairline fractured a femur (day ~200), cracked a couple ribs (collision with an out of control skier; day ~500), and broken a humerus (mogul skiing on ice; day ~800). Ice was a contributing factor to most mishaps. (Hmmm, I need to ski Alta more...)

Cheers,
Jeff

 

[Admin]

Over the years I have sprained both knees & ankles & broken a foot (1st day skiing--dang bear-trap bindings)

And you stuck with it? Dang! :shock:

 

[lookn4powder]

Over the years I have sprained both knees & ankles & broken a foot (1st day skiing--dang bear-trap bindings)

And you stuck with it? Dang! :shock:

Well, I took a few years off for college/grad school near the flattest Illinois terrain. But of course, I had to try skiing again! I missed the abuse.

Jeff

 

[SoCal Rider]

I've encountered the sentiment from a non-snowboarder or two that it looks awkward to have your legs locked to a board; that skiing is more natural.

My perception of which is the safer sport is an easy one for me to form. My last time on skis, I was doing easy turns down one of the steeper runs at Bear Mountain - Showtime, I think, for those who know - but I straightened out and quickly gained so much speed that just talking about the accident gave me the chills for years afterward. I eventually tumbled and got to spend a few hours in the BB hospital having my head wound stapled six times. I remember a skier coming in with a displaced shoulder. Ick.

I've got 63 days in as a snowboarder, with my worst injury a chipped tailbone five seasons ago at Squaw, and I never have to wake up in a cold sweat from some nightmare about doing the splits and ripping up a knee.

I guess my point is, personal experience, no matter how small or large, can be a difficult bias to see past.

 

[Tony Crocker]

I also recall CWHappyRN mentioning intoxication as a common condition of the bozos in the Big Bear ER. The dubious decision to partake in a velocity sport while impaired obviously has nothing to do with the choice of equipment. As in most issues of prejudice and generalization it's the individual and not the group that deserves the blame.

My serious injuries: Blown ACL on day 3, torn meniscus about day 400.