What does Mammoth’s Halloween storm mean for opening day?

Mammoth Mountain is opening early on Thursday, November 5. After the Halloween weekend storm and snowmaking, the resort now plans to start lifts at 8:30 a.m., ahead of its original November 13 target. It’s a welcome reason to start thinking about mountain weekends, with limited early-season terrain and plans still subject to conditions. [2]

How much snow fell, and is snowmaking running?

The November 2 Mammoth Snowman report puts the fresh snowfall at 9 inches around Main Lodge and about 15 inches on the upper mountain. It also reports active snowmaking, adding to the natural snow while temperatures allow. [3]

For those of us looking forward to winter weekends here, that’s the part worth watching: snow on the ground and crews preparing the mountain. One storm doesn’t tell us how the whole season will unfold, but it gives us something more tangible than a date on the calendar.

What will be open on November 5?

The resort expects Broadway Express (Chair 1) and the Lower Panorama Gondola to operate, with access to Broadway, Silver Tip and Rusty’s. Additional terrain will open as conditions allow. Beginner terrain and beginner lessons will not be available at opening, so this first day is best planned with that limited offering in mind. Check the resort’s Mountain Report before heading up. [2] [4]

Our countdown to opening day has the broader season background, including the original November 13 target that has now moved forward. For now, we’re enjoying this first real shift toward winter and keeping an eye on the mountain’s next update.

Talk to us about Mammoth if you’re thinking about making more time here. We can help you think through a home that fits the way you want to spend your mountain weekends, from getting to the lifts to caring for the property between visits.