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Mammoth, California Confirms Opening Day, Reveals Trail Lineup

Originally posted on Powder | By Matt Lorelli | Last updated Nov 13, 2024 11:44 AM ET

English rock band The Zombies gifted every skier with a preseason anthem when they released the hit song Time Of The Season back in 1968.

Today, in the age of social media and short videos with popular soundtracks overlaid, the song is regularly used to amplify the excitement of leaves changing colors, first snowfalls, and most importantly— opening day.

Mammoth Mountain, one of California's crown jewel ski resorts, has just confirmed to POWDER that they will open on Friday, November 15 for the Winter '24/'25 season. It's the Time Of The Season, indeed.

The mountain has received five inches of new snow in the last 48 hours with four to five additional inches expected to fall November 15-16. That's certainly not enough natural snow to open, but fear not, Mammoth's hard-working snowmaking crew has been at it nightly to blanket multiple trails in preparation for opening day.

POWDER has learned through a contact at Mammoth that the following lifts and trails are expected to open for opening day, November 15:

Lifts: Lower Panorama Gondola, Face Lift Express (3), and Unbound Express (6).
Trails: Broadway, Saddle Bowl, Silver Tip and Rusty’s

Video: Raw Sights and Sounds From Mammoth Mountain, California, November 12, 2024

Mammoth Mountain, Snowmaking, November 12, 2024. (1:52)

^Video by Dylan Hall, Mammoth Mountain

Noticeably absent from Mammoth's opening day lift lineup is Broadway Express (Lift #1). The lift was torn down this summer and replaced with a state-of-the-art D-Line 6-pack detachable high speed chairlift from Doppelmayr.

Broadway is an essential lift for moving skiers and riders up the mountain from Mammoth's Main Lodge base area, and is used nearly every early-season to provide access to runs with snowmaking such as Broadway, Silver Tip, and Rusty's.

Mammoth has yet to release an expected opening day for Broadway, and will use the lower section of the Panorama Gondola to McCoy Station in the interim. This will most likely lead to lift lines in the morning, but crowds should thin out throughout the day.

The resort then plans to open Discovery Express (Chair 11) with access to the Sesame Street trail on Saturday, November 16, 2024. POWDER will either update this post, or write a new article when the new Broadway Express' opening day is revealed.

I won't be able to make it on Friday for opening day, but I just confirmed lodging and lift tickets for Saturday, November 16 and Sunday, November 17! Ski ya there?

I'll be the guy with a huge smile on his face in a yellow jacket and black bibs. Please say hi and ski a lap with me! The season is finally here, friends. Gosh, that sure feels good to say (write).

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This article first appeared on Powder and was syndicated with permission.

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