California's Mammoth Mountain Extends Season to Fourth of July

Thanks in part to a big April snowstorm that has contributed to an overall 20-foot-deep snowpack, Mammoth Mountain in California announced that it would remain open to skiers and snowboarders through the Fourth of July. The resort has had measurable amounts of snow 24 of the past 36 days, prompting the resort's director of mountain operations to comment in a statement that snow piles "are as high as we've ever seen them." However, the resort reports that all of its 28 chairlifts have been dug out and are operating. Due to its altitude and snowfall, Mammoth traditionally has one of the longest ski seasons in the country, but this year's snow has set an all-time record, surpassing the previous mark of 617 inches. At press time, 632 inches of snow had fallen. The entire mountain will be open through April 30; from April 30 to July 4, the resort says it will have skiing and riding from top to bottom out of Main Lodge. Visit [www.mammothmountain.com].