WRIGHTWOOD, Calif. – Oct. 22, 2018 – Mountain High is eagerly preparing for the 2018-19 season, one that will bring new snow play areas and increased snowmaking capabilities, plus, there are ways to involve the entire family without breaking the “snow” bank. Opening Day, weather-permitting, is scheduled for November 17 and resort managers couldn’t be more excited.
“Opening day is right around the corner, so get your gear out of the closet, because we’ll be riding again before you know it,” said John McColly, Mountain High vice president of sales and marketing.
New this season, Mountain High is unveiling two snow play areas called Yeti’s Snow Parks. Located at both the East and North Resorts, these new snow parks (named in honor of Mountain High’s loveable mascot) provide a fun setting for first-time guests with tubing, snow play and introductory lessons for skiing and snowboarding.
In the tubing areas, more than 15 lanes are available offering a fun experience for first-time sliders and snow enthusiasts. Guests must be 36 inches or taller to enter the tubing parks. Custom tubes are included in the ticket price.
Mountain High’s new snow play areas are the perfect place for kids of all ages to become acquainted with the snow. While there, guests should keep their eyes peeled for the Yeti and his friends as they make their way from zone to zone, singing songs and interacting with the public.
Visitors can also enjoy a sampling of true skiing and snowboarding in the introductory area where roving instructors are waiting to help. This new jump-in, jump-out lesson area lets participants switch back and forth between skiing and snowboarding, teaching them helpful basics such as how to sidestep, traverse, fall and pick yourself up. Each participant receives a “Bounce Back” coupon for a discount off their next lesson package at the resort.
The Yeti’s Snow Parks are open weekends and holidays beginning at 8:30 a.m. Tickets are sold in two-hour blocks at just $30 for tubing, $20 for snow play and $25 for skiing/snowboarding introductions. Guests can purchase all three activities for just $59 and spend two hours in each.
Future activities in the Yeti’s Snow Park include scenic sky chair rides, ice skating, a snow climbing wall, snow forts, ice tunnels and a hidden cave that doubles as the Yeti’s hideout.
Whether you are in the snow park or on the trails, snow is the key ingredient. This season Mountain High spent a quarter-million dollars adding 35 new low-energy guns to its snowmaking arsenal. These new low-energy snow guns from brands like TechnoAlpin and HKD Snowmakers require a fraction of the fuel needed by their predecessors. It means that Mountain High can now make the same amount of necessary snow at considerably lower costs and with lower emissions.
“Believe it or not, we can run all 35 of these new stick guns on the air needed to run just two of the old ones,” said Mike Childress, Mountain High snowmaking manager. “This is the best snowmaking investment we’ve made in the past 10 years.”
The difference is in the design. Traditional snow guns use electric fans or high-pressure nozzles to project the snow horizontally across the slopes. Mountain High’s new stick guns tower 35-feet above the ground, allow fresh snow to fall naturally and, ultimately, require less energy. Thanks to this new design, they are dramatically quieter, creating a much better experience for guests on the mountain while snowmaking is underway.
Resort operators expect to use 100 fewer gallons of diesel fuel per hour, appreciably cutting its carbon footprint in half.
“This snowmaking investment will significantly reduce our fuel consumption while increasing our environmental sustainability,” said McColly. “Lower energy costs, lower emissions, less noise and a better guest experience are what you can expect from Mountain High this year.”
These new low-energy snow guns can be found near the base of Mountain High’s West Resort on trails like Cruiser, Sunnyside, Easy Street and Lower Chisolm. These additions will help the resort open trails earlier and cater to its introductory clientele.
A portion of these guns were awarded to Mountain High in the form of a high-efficiency snowmaking grant from HKD Snowmakers. Mountain High will use this grant to continue its efforts to reduce diesel fuel and electricity consumption associated with snowmaking.
If you are excited about the return of ski season but worried about the cost, Mountain High has several ways to help keep your wallet cool.
- $299 Season Pass Sale
2018-19 season passes are on sale for just $299 (regularly $699) through October 31. With a season pass, guests get unlimited access to any one of Mountain High’s three resorts, day and night, with no restrictions. It is the best season pass deal in Southern California and pays for itself in less than four visits. Prices go up $100 to $399 on November 1.
- Kids Ski Free Through December 21, 2018
Kids age 12-and-under ski free with a paying adult (one free ticket per adult, children need to be present at time of pick up) through December 21, 2018. This is a $49 savings.
- Fifth Graders Ski Free
New this season, fifth graders receive a complimentary lift ticket to Mountain High with the purchase of a non-holiday adult ticket. Students are required to present a report card, school ID or birth certificate. Fifth graders who have never skied or snowboarded before can upgrade to a discounted lesson for only $89 ($25 off the regular rate). Offer not valid: December 22-31, 2018; January 1-6 and 19-21, 2019; February 16-18, 2019.
- Bring A Friend For Fun
If you love to ski or snowboard but your friend isn’t sure, go ahead and bring them as Mountain High’s bring a friend for fun offer includes one adult lift ticket for you and a half-day beginner package for the friend. It is the perfect way to introduce your best friend to skiing or snowboarding and is even endorsed by the National Ski Areas Association.
- Police/Fire/Military Thursdays
Every Thursday night from 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., active duty military, police and fire safety personnel receive a 50 percent discount on night tickets and rentals (present valid ID).
Additional highlights for the upcoming 2018-19 season include monthly flash sales, the Learn to Turn Tuesdays first-time visitor program and the new Children’s 123 FREE lesson package. Guests who complete all three lessons receive a free season pass.
Mountain High is Southern California’s closest winter resort with three separate mountains, 16 lifts, 59 trails and more than 290 acres of terrific skiing, snowboarding and tubing.
For more information on tickets or to purchase Mountain High season passes, click here. Follow Mountain High on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
