April - Mammoth/Tahoe?

I want to get my kids back on snow during their Spring Break the second week
of April. I have to be LA for work and was considering taking them with me
and then road tripping to Mammoth for a couple of days then Tahoe before
flying out of Reno.

Questions: I know Mammoth is still open then. How about the Tahoe resorts?
Last year same time some of the Utah resorts were shutting down. How long of
a drive is it from LA to Mammoth? Mammoth to Tahoe? Is two days enough at
Mammoth?

Thanks

TJG wrote:
I want to get my kids back on snow during their Spring Break the second
week of April. I have to be LA for work and was considering taking them
with me and then road tripping to Mammoth for a couple of days then
Tahoe before flying out of Reno.

Questions: I know Mammoth is still open then. How about the Tahoe
resorts? Last year same time some of the Utah resorts were shutting
down. How long of a drive is it from LA to Mammoth? Mammoth to Tahoe? Is
two days enough at Mammoth?

Squaw and Alpine close in May when the snow melts, often Memorial Day or
later. April is beautiful corn snow for great skiing, or freshies as it
still snows in April. Sometimes Heavenly stays open late as well but you
can't count on it. The other Tahoe mountains close on a schedule, not as
the snow dictates. As you noted, Mammoth would also be open (till June
or later usually.) Plan to stay on the North Shore Truckee or Tahoe City.

I plan 3+ hours Truckee to Mammoth when I go. LA to Mammoth can be 5 or
more hours depending on where in LA - LA is large.

Two days at Mammoth is better than no days. It's not enough to ski the
mountain - Mammoth is mammoth - but it can give you an overview.

Same with Alpine or Squaw for that matter. If you're from the East, none
of these mountains have trails like you're used to - the have mountains
and you ski anywhere you want.

Sounds like a road trip the kids will remember.

On Feb 29, 2:09*pm, lal_truckee wrote:
TJG wrote:
I want to get my kids back on snow during their Spring Break the second
week of April. I have to be LA for work and was considering taking them
with me and then road tripping to Mammoth for a couple of days then
Tahoe before flying out of Reno.

Questions: I know Mammoth is still open then. How about the Tahoe
resorts? Last year same time some of the Utah resorts were shutting
down. How long of a drive is it from LA to Mammoth? Mammoth to Tahoe? Is
two days enough at Mammoth?

Squaw and Alpine close in May when the snow melts, often Memorial Day or
later. April is beautiful corn snow for great skiing, or freshies as it
still snows in April. Sometimes Heavenly stays open late as well but you
can't count on it. The other Tahoe mountains close on a schedule, not as
the snow dictates. As you noted, Mammoth would also be open (till June
or later usually.) Plan to stay on the North Shore Truckee or Tahoe City.

I plan 3+ hours Truckee to Mammoth when I go. LA to Mammoth can be 5 or
more hours depending on where in LA - LA is large.

Two days at Mammoth is better than no days. It's not enough to ski the
mountain - Mammoth is mammoth - but it can give you an overview.

Same with Alpine or Squaw for that matter. If you're from the East, none
of these mountains have trails like you're used to - the have mountains
and you ski anywhere you want.

Sounds like a road trip the kids will remember.

I believe Ski Magazine published an article a few years back about one
of their writers attempting to ride every lift at Mammoth in a day.
As I recall, he "succeeded" only because some of the redundant-access
lifts were closed.

lal_truckee wrote:
TJG wrote:
I want to get my kids back on snow during their Spring Break the
second week of April. I have to be LA for work and was considering
taking them with me and then road tripping to Mammoth for a couple of
days then Tahoe before flying out of Reno.

Questions: I know Mammoth is still open then. How about the Tahoe
resorts? Last year same time some of the Utah resorts were shutting
down. How long of a drive is it from LA to Mammoth? Mammoth to Tahoe?
Is two days enough at Mammoth?

Squaw and Alpine close in May when the snow melts, often Memorial Day or
later. April is beautiful corn snow for great skiing, or freshies as it
still snows in April. Sometimes Heavenly stays open late as well but you
can't count on it. The other Tahoe mountains close on a schedule, not as
the snow dictates. As you noted, Mammoth would also be open (till June
or later usually.) Plan to stay on the North Shore Truckee or Tahoe City.

I plan 3+ hours Truckee to Mammoth when I go. LA to Mammoth can be 5 or
more hours depending on where in LA - LA is large.

Two days at Mammoth is better than no days. It's not enough to ski the
mountain - Mammoth is mammoth - but it can give you an overview.

Same with Alpine or Squaw for that matter. If you're from the East, none
of these mountains have trails like you're used to - the have mountains
and you ski anywhere you want.

Sounds like a road trip the kids will remember.

What he said.

I'm an eastern skier. I heart the mountains
of California. The big lines, the open spaces,
the tree wells. All wonderful stuff. Interestingly
there are a few Tahoe area resorts that ski like
an eastern resort. Sierra at Tahoe is one of these.

Nice wide trails cut down through the woods. A
few gladed areas, and large bumps. Good stuff
if you like it, but Squaw, Alpine and Kirkwood
are my favorites. Big, open, traverse a ridge,
pick a line and ski it.

Try to hook up with a local if you can. Always
a good idea no matter where you ski.

VtSkier

"Richard Henry" wrote in message
...
On Feb 29, 2:09 pm, lal_truckee wrote:
Two days at Mammoth is better than no days. It's not enough to ski the
mountain - Mammoth is mammoth - but it can give you an overview.
I believe Ski Magazine published an article a few years back about one
of their writers attempting to ride every lift at Mammoth in a day.
As I recall, he "succeeded" only because some of the redundant-access
lifts were closed.

When I was a kid I used to write away for the brochures of the Toni Sailer
summer ski camp at Mammoth. I guess the brochure industry has gone south
since the net.

Maybe some day...

"lal_truckee" wrote in message
et...
TJG wrote:
snipped.

I plan 3+ hours Truckee to Mammoth when I go. LA to Mammoth can be 5 or
more hours depending on where in LA - LA is large.

Two days at Mammoth is better than no days. It's not enough to ski the
mountain - Mammoth is mammoth - but it can give you an overview.

Same with Alpine or Squaw for that matter. If you're from the East, none
of these mountains have trails like you're used to - the have mountains
and you ski anywhere you want.

Sounds like a road trip the kids will remember.

Thanks for the feedback. The kids should have a blast. Of course there is an
ulterior motive..... when I have worn out my "Can I fly to Utah to catch
some fresh powder?" kitchen passes from my wife I offer to take the kids for
a week long trip so she can relax at home with a book and the dog!!