Winter Storm Tears Through the West

KIRKWOOD

Status: Opening Saturday

Kirkwood, CA Oct 21, 2004 — Game on. Kirkwood opens weekend operations on October 23 thanks to 3-4 feet of early season snow — with more forecasted by the weekend. The season’s first turns on the lower mountain will be through a foot of fresh powder on top of two feet of packed base.

Skiers and riders longing for the snow moving under their feet don’t have to wait any longer. With a base elevation of 7,800 feet and Tahoe’s deepest and driest snow, Kirkwood offers consistently superior on-mountain conditions throughout the season — from opening day to closing day.

Two lifts will be turning this weekend, Chairs 5 and 11, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The two lower mountain chairs offer access to intermediate and black diamond terrain. Discounted lift tickets will be available. Midweek season pass holders are welcome on Sunday. Lift ticket prices are $20 for adults (19+), $15 for young adults (13-18), $15 for seniors (65-69) and Super Seniors (70+), $5 for kids (6-12) and kids 5 and under. Lift tickets and season passes can be obtained on the Village Plaza. Passholders can pick up their pass and get in a few sneak-preview turns before the regular season opening day on November 20.

All skiers and riders must bring their own equipment. Demos and rentals will be available starting November 20. For hungry folks, Monte Wolf’s Café on the Village Plaza, Bub’s Sports Bar, the General Store and the Kirkwood Inn will be serving food and beverages throughout the weekends.

MAMMOTH

Status: OPEN

Mammoth Mountain, CA Oct 22, 2004 – The ski season is officially underway in California. After receiving over five feet of snow in five days, Mammoth Mountain turned on the lifts for hundreds of eager skiers and riders Thursday, October 21, 2004. Today marked the resort’s earliest opening in ten years.

Anxious winter enthusiasts began lining up as early as 4 o’clock this morning for first chair and bragging rights. Clear skies, calm winds and temperatures in the single digits set the backdrop to an incredible first day on the slopes. The first guests were on the lift by 8:20am and were rewarded for their patience with knee-deep first tracks.

Mammoth currently has a base depth of 3-4 feet of machine groomed snow and packed powder. Four lifts are expected to operate for the weekend, with more on tap as soon as conditions permit. Hours of operation are 8:30am-4:00pm and Value Season lift ticket prices are $50 for adults, $37 for youth and $25 for children and seniors.

Now is a great time to set the tone for winter. With good conditions and great values, there’s no better time to hit the slopes. Lift and lodging packages are available for early season skiing and riding with rates as low as $70 per person per night based on double occupancy. Visit MammothMountain.com or call 800.MAMMOTH for all the details.

Early season obstacles exist. Visit MammothMountain.com or call the snow report hotline at 888.SNOW.RPT for all the latest weather and snow conditions.

BOREAL

Status: OPEN
Norden, CA Oct 22, 2004 – Boreal Mountain Resort opened for the winter 2004/2005 ski and snowboard season Thursday, October 21. With lifts opening at an early 8:29 am, Boreal retains its claim to fame for being California’s first ski and snowboard resort open for business.

Because of the significantly large snow storm that walloped the Tahoearea Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning, Boreal currently has athree-foot base of completely natural snow.

“Without question, this is the best opening-day snowpack in years!Boreal will offer 36 inches of new snow, one lift scheduled to operatefrom 8:29am to 4pm, and terrain features out and ready to ride,” saidJody Churich, Boreal Mountain Resort’s Director of Marketing. “Come outtomorrow morning for Boreal’s opening day of the winter ski/boardseason, again California’s firstt resort to open for the winter season.”

Opening day’s lift ticket rates will be reduced: $22 for adults and $10 for kids. The resort plans to open additional lifts as conditionspermit, for the weekend.

ARAPAHOE BASIN

Status: OPEN

LOVELAND

Status: OPEN