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Last lifts mark end of ‘historic’ snow season, Southern California resorts ready for summer

May 2, 2023

The snow is melting and it’s time to turn attentions to the summer season at Southern California’s mountain resorts.

Mountain High in Wrightwood on Monday, May 1, marked the last day its lifts were running, and a day earlier, Snow Summit in Big Bear had its final runs open following a historic winter that kept snowboarders and skiers stoked through the season.

Snowboarders enjoy the slopes on the last day of the ski season at Mountain High Resort near Wrightwood on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo by Dennis Nadalin, Contributing photographer)

Visitors, some dressed in costume, enjoy the slopes on the last day of the ski season at Mountain High Resort near Wrightwood on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo by Dennis Nadalin, Contributing photographer)

Steve Burns, a Wrightwood native, makes his way down the mountain on the last day of the ski season at Mountain High Resort near Wrightwood on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo by Dennis Nadalin, Contributing photographer)

David Helble, a snow cat operator at the resort, snowboards shirtless and in shorts down the mountain on the last day of the ski season at Mountain High Resort near Wrightwood on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo by Dennis Nadalin, Contributing photographer)

Steve Burns, a Wrightwood native, kicks up snow as he makes his way down the mountain on the last day of the ski season at Mountain High Resort near Wrightwood on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo by Dennis Nadalin, Contributing photographer)

A snowboarder rides a rail as he makes his way down the mountain on the last day of the ski season at Mountain High Resort near Wrightwood on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo by Dennis Nadalin, Contributing photographer)

Winnie Wang, dressed as Minnie Mouse, heads to the ski lift line at Mountain High Resort near Wrightwood on the final day of the ski season May 1, 2023. (Photo by Dennis Nadalin, Contributing photographer)

Alex Sun, dressed as a royal defender warrior, heads to the ski lift line at Mountain High Resort near Wrightwood on the final day of the ski season May 1, 2023. (Photo by Dennis Nadalin, Contributing photographer)

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With temperatures getting into the upper 70s in recent days, the blanket of white stuff was quickly turning to slush and dirt patches were growing as the winter’s snow disappeared. Many riders ditched their snow gear to cruise down the slopes in tank tops and shorts.

Mountain High’s closing day celebration marked the first time in a decade the resort stayed open until May, with 177 inches of snow falling this season.

About 1,500 snowboarders and skiers showed up for their last runs, with a big group ski to mark the final lap, said John McColly, chief marketing officer for Mountain High.

“It was truly an amazing year, not without its highs and lows,” he said. “But the amount of snow we received and the general vibe around the resort – everyone just had the best time ever. Everyone was here having a good time … it was a great year.”

Traditional summer activities kick off May 12, including the opening of its popular disk golf course. Campsites will open soon and, for the first time, the resort will offer mountain biking. Trails will be built in June and will likely open in August, McColly said.

Snow Summit and Bear Mountain reported an estimated 243 inches of snow this winter, far more than the 69 inches the resort tallied last season.

The figure was the most the resort had in its records dating back two decades, the only season coming close was 2019-20, when 168 inches fell but COVID-19 restrictions kept people off the slopes.

“Both in terms of natural snow and operational days and the longest season we have on record, we’re comfortable saying it’s the most successful and historic year in the past 20 years,” said Justin Kanton, spokesperson for Big Bear Mountain Resort, noting that during a 10-day span in February and March, 100 inches fell.

The resort was able to stay open three weeks longer than expected before shutting down Snow Summit on April 30, with Bear Mountain closing earlier in the month.

Despite the plentiful snowfall this season, it’s melting fast, Kanton said.

“Operationally, it was time to flip that switch and get ready for summer,” he said. “All the way around, it was time to make the call and we were glad we were able to go out on a high note.”

Already, heavy machinery was out on Monday moving around snow to dig out mountain biking and hiking trails, he said. “Now, we’re getting ready for summer. All the snow has to make its way down to the lake and that should make for some great summer conditions.”

Also, with Big Bear Mountain Resort’s purchase of Snow Valley this year, the coming months will be spent getting started on renovations and infrastructure updates at that resort, Kanton said.

If you’re not ready for the winter season to end, Mt. Baldy is closed on weekdays but lift tickets are still being sold for May 5-7. And, Mammoth Mountain, about a six-hour drive from Los Angeles and Orange County, expects to stay open for skiing through July.

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Last lifts mark end of ‘historic’ snow season, Southern California resorts ready for summer

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