Mammoth Still Formidable in California Drought

Mammoth Still Formidable in California Drought

With a trip to Mammoth planned back in October, it never occurred to me that in a few months I’d be hearing news about one of the worst droughts in California history. Sure, that’s bad news for the state’s water supply, bad news for agriculture, bad news for just about every facet of life. But most importantly — it’s bad news for ski trips. Call me an only child.

At Deer Valley, the consensus seems to be no snowboarders

At Deer Valley, the consensus seems to be no snowboarders

The families I met here like Deer Valley—one of Park City’s three ski resorts— because of the groomed runs but more important, because there are no snowboarders allowed. Deer Valley, in fact, is one of only three resorts in the country that don’t allow snowboarders.

Families getting out of the comfort zone above the tree line

Families getting out of the comfort zone above the tree line

It’s dumping snow on Breckenridge Mountain and we’re above tree line at the new Peak 6 bowls. Some of the terrain is hike-to expert — some of the most extreme at the big resort — but all of the buzz here has been about the above tree line blue terrain.

Family central at Breckenridge CO and its new Peak 6

Family central at Breckenridge CO and its new Peak 6

The mountain—it’s huge, even larger with the newly opened Peak Six that has added 543 new acres of terrain, the biggest ski resort terrain expansion in over a decade. There are Kids’ jumps and small trails through the trees and kids terrain features with names like Rip’s Ravine and Dragon Trail.

Learning a snow sport — more than just fun in the snow

Learning a snow sport — more than just fun in the snow

Snow sports can be more than about fun in the snow. They’re about persistence and courage, trying something new (just ask the cold-hating Los Angeles boy who was with us) and empathy for those who may be struggling more than you might be.