Mountain High set to open Wednesday after winds, cooler temps allow for man-made snow

It’s been a warmer-than-normal start to the winter season, but this week’s Santa Ana winds and cooler mountain temperatures are allowing local resorts to make enough snow to start lifts.
Mountain High, about 90 minutes from Orange County and Los Angeles, is planning to open Wednesday, Dec. 6, for skiing and snowboarding.
The slopes will have top-to-bottom terrain features and trails for beginner to intermediate.
A skier makes his way past snowblowers on Coyote run during the opening day at Mountain High in Wrightwood in 2016. Skiers and snowboarders hit the slopes in the cold weather. (File photo by Jeff Gritchen/Orange County Register/SCNG via AP)
Thanks to last winter’s storms, the resort has nearly three times the water available for snowmaking this year, “which means better coverage, more terrain features and longer seasons,” Mountain High announced.
“We are absolutely stoked about the new season,” said John McColly, Mountain High chief marketing officer, in a prepared statement. “It’s expected to be a great one with new features in our terrain park, new online ticket products, and tons of water for snowmaking. This winter will be packed with fun events, not to mention the Olympics.”
The season usually kicks off Thanksgiving weekend.
No word yet on whether Snow Summit, Big Bear or Snow Valley will be opening this week, but the local resorts usually open within days of one another.
Mammoth Mountain, about a six-hour drive from Southern California, has been open for weeks and has had several big storms plow through to add to the mountain’s base.
Early season tickets for Mountain High are $49 for adults, $25 for children 12 and under. Children age 6 and under ski free when accompanied by a paying adult; seniors 70-plus are free every day.
When night operation starts, hours will be from 5 to 10 p.m., with tickets at $29 for adults.
 
 
Source: Oc Register