California's 26-27 Ski Season Starts Thursday 5 November

California's 26-27 season is due to start tomorrow, Thursday 5th November, after Mammoth Mountain moved forward its previously announced target date of Friday, 13th November, following a spell of cold and snowy weather.

The southern Californian ski area will now be the first centre to open on the West Coast, a day ahead of Nevada's Mt Rose Ski Tahoe which had previously announced its own intention to open this Friday, 6th November.

"Mother Nature has been kind to us with this past storm cycle dropping 9 to 15 inches of fresh snow over the weekend. Snowmaking teams have also been able to take full advantage of the colder temperatures over the past few days to get the mountain ready for an early opening. We have some of the best in the business working hard on all the necessary preparations and can't wait to see everyone for opening day on Thursday," commented Emily van Greuning, Communications Director, Mammoth Resorts.

Mammoth say their move is thanks to over a foot (30cm+) of fresh snow (9-15 inches / 22.5-37.5cm) this past week and favorable snowmaking conditions. Snowfall total this season so far is 12-20 inches (30-50cm).

The mountain will operate Lower Panorama Gondola and Broadway Express (Chair 1) with access to access to Broadway, Silver Tip and Rusty's. Teams will continue to expand terrain as soon as conditions allow.

At Mt Rose Lakeview Express starts spinning at 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 6.

"Thanks to early-season snow and the hard work of our snowmaking crew, we’re set to be the first ski area open on the West Coast this season," a resort statement announced before Mammoth made their early opening announcement.

On Mt Rose's opening day, Lakeview Express will run 9 a.m.–4 p.m., with access to KC Bowl, Ponderosa and Pondo Park.

"We’ll keep making snow whenever temperatures allow, and anticipate opening the Magic surface lift for beginner terrain and possibly more with snowmaking efforts through the week," they added.

California and Nevada are among the states expected to do well this winter from the strong El Nino, which is expected to favour the state with above average precipitation. It is expected to peak over the next few months.