Introducing: The Station Camp. True to our deep-deep roots, this is a great place for church groups needing multiple facets of a weekend.  Meeting space, large cabins, and all-kinds of activities on camp grounds or in the town of Mammoth.

Winter,  is always a feature of Mammoth, but don’t forget the summer goods, too. Ski or Ride Mammoth or June Mountain with your group; yet all the non-riders still have plenty to do day or night.

Click here to see what The Station Camp is all about!

“What makes June Mountain such a great, when I’ve never heard of it?” you ask.  EXACTLY. I don’t like giving away secrets to the best secret ski and snowboard resorts in the Western United States, without a small disclaimer…if everyone reading this article and another 2,000 guests descended on June Mountain during Christmas Break, on a perfect “blue bird knee deep powder day” June might experience a 10 minute lift line.

June Mountain boasts the same Sierra snow as Mammoth Mountain, a short 20 minute drive from June, and in fact is owned by the same company that owns Mammoth.  But what’s even more amazing than the snow is the days and days of fresh tracks after it snows. Mammoth, which dwarfs June’s acreage, will get skied out within an hour of the lifts opening on a powder day. I’ve spent days skiing a week and even two after a snowstorm hit June Mountain and always been able to find fresh tracks through the trees and on the borders of runs.

It’s a fun mountain for everyone. June Mountain is one of the most hospitable and friendly mountain crews we’ve worked with.  They will welcome you when you arrive.

June’s 7 lifts offer a variety of terrain from Beginner Greens to Expert Black Diamonds. Beginners will find a great ski school, and some very gentle green slopes to head down to the main lodge, never being too far from a warming hot chocolate, or another run back up to the top of Chair 2 to get another run in.  June Mountain and Ernie’s Rental Shop in June Lake offer beginner rental packages through demo ski and board packages.

Experienced snowboarders and skiers will want to spend most of their time on Chair 4 or 7 hitting much of the tree and intermediate terrain offered there. June Mountain’s park has been rated top 10 parks in the nation, and offers a full competition length half pipe, jibs, ramps, jumps, and some interesting additions last year of propane tanks and wrecking balls to bounce off in your leisurely fire down the hill.  But don’t forget The Face!

The Face is as steep and challenging as June Mountain gets, and ironically it’s at the bottom of the hill. June Mountain Lodge sits 1000 feet above the parking lot, so it’s only lift accessible.  From the top of Chair 1 right at Main Lodge you can hurl yourself off some steep challenging chutes, carve open powder faces, or pick your challenging tree run lines.  With the Face being the steepest (and in my mind the most fun), I’ve often errored on the side of taking a last face run down to the bus rather than opting for the more gradual cat run down.

It’s close. By bus or car June Mountain is 7 hours from San Diego and 6 hours from Orange County and Los Angeles.  By ski standards, for a great ski mountain that’s close.  It’s an easy Friday night shot out to get two full days of skiing in, before heading back to work or school.  In comparison to a Brian Head, UT on a short weekend it’s a win!

Did I mention no lift lines? (Even on holidays, lift lines are minimal if existent).

Best Value this side of Colorado. June’s 2 day teen lift ticket @ $77 or Adult 2 day @ $102 is simply unbeatable.

Your pick of lodging. Of the lodging properties in June Lake, we have budget motel units,  rustic cabins, very nice owner updated condos, and lake front cabin properties to choose from.  Whether you’re looking for a gathering place for the family, a condo to accommodate 10, or a motel with meeting space on site we have a wide variety of choices.

Meal options: while June Lake is a sleepy little town, Higher Ground Adventures has developed a network of meal providers and options. You can either fix your own meals, or we can have them catered and delivered to your lodging or meeting space.  Grab a continental “grab and go” breakfast along with Pizza to keep the meals simple.  Or if your tastes are a little more glamorous we’ll deliver a hot breakfast, then for dinner a 3 course taco bar, or better yet drop you at the top of Chair 1 for a private banquet complete with a full menu selection and a view of the town lights and lake.

Size of group. June Mountain is perfect for groups of small 10 person trips, to 150 people with lodging and meeting space to accommodate your entire group.

Bottom line. While June Mountain will never compete with the Whistlers of the world for what they have to offer they don’t have to.  Great value, no lift lines and close to Southern California. It’s easy for us to see why it’s hard to pry group leaders away from June Mountain once they’ve seen what it has to offer.

Contact us to reserve your June Mountain Trip today.

Question is: How will El Nino affect Snow in California?

Of course you’ve heard of the infamous “El Nino”. You may even know the winter weather patterns defined as El Nino hit every 7-10 years.  Familiar with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which offers weather pattern predictions that affect life and commerce in the US?

More notably, if you live in Southern California, you may remember winter of 1997/1998 wreaked havoc on leaky SoCal roofs, and road gutters were turned into road-side Deltas providing a new wakeboard location in your local neighborhood.  I remember that winter all too well, because I had a 1973 Kawasaki motorcycle as my primary transportation. Everyday, it seemed, I had to put on my yellow rain slicker and pack an extra set of dry shoes for my 12 mile commute.

So what about this winter? It’s time for a cold wet, winter.  After 3 dismally dry rain and snow winters, as it pertains to California, we are desperately in need of water: rain! We need it. But, for me, I’m looking for snow. For us planners, adrenaline junkies, group leaders, ski retreaters, or guys who want to pack a quick snowball in the local mountains the question is: Will it snow this year?

Short Answer: yes! (Or at least a very, very, very strong probability).

I can’t guarantee snow, sorry! But here’s the next best thing. Looking back on patterns of previous El Nino years, California mountain resorts have seen above average snowfall years.

Last week, I spoke with Carl Williams, the Director of June Mountain Resort, in June Lake, CA.  Carl said, “El Nino usually means a cold wet winter, with lots of snow.  Should be a good year for us.”  In the 15 years I have been working with Carl he is not one to offer predictions without foundation.  In fact Carl’s confidence in an overdue strong snowfall is back directly from NOAA.

On July 9, 2009 NOAA issued a statement titled: El Niño Arrives; Expected to Persist through Winter 2009-10.  The Press Release stated, “NOAA expects this El Niño to continue developing during the next several months, with further strengthening possible. The event is expected to last through winter 2009-10″.

So now is the time to plan to take advantage of the snow, and of the deals.  Ski Resorts are ready to offer their best.  After battling poor weather, a tough economy, and all the challenges that brings, resorts are gearing up to offer more service and same if not lower prices than last year.  I’m looking forward to getting a great winter under our belt, and enjoying some powdery turns myself at June Mountain, Mammoth, and Big Bear Resorts.

So get ready! Here’s just a couple of packages help you take advantage of what looks to be the best winter, in at least 4 years…if not the decade!

June Mountain- Stay and Ski Package starting at $25/night/person lodging and $77 teen lift tickets or $105 adult lift tickets.

Big Bear Mountain Resorts- One Day Ski Bus Package $75/person includes bus and lift ticket.

More Winter Destinations

Even some of the more techy weather watchers and predictors like Brian Allegretto, in Northern California (Tahoe), though conservative in their predictions remain optimistic.  “Now I’m not advocating an 800 inch year by any means… I believe the odds are finally on our side for an above normal snowfall winter,” said Brian on his blog on snow in Tahoe. And though that’s not Southern or even Central California, it looks like all the California resorts are expecting above average snowfall this winter.

June Mountain Stay and Ski: $25/night and $77 teen two day lift or $102 Adult 2 day lift.

Big Bear Resorts Ski Bus: set your group up with an FUN, easy, quick, one day ski day- $75/person includes bus and lift ticket.

Visit our winter destinations page or  drop us a line on the dates, numbers, destination, and we’ll get your planning for winter done now! Click here to begin the easy process.