Opened in 1961, June Mountain has always lived in the shadow of Mammoth Mountain. First as a competitor, and then after Mammoth founder Dave McCoy bought the mountain in 1986, as a quieter, mellower sibling to Mammoth. But for many years, that was a good thing. It never had the crowds, it had a long, fun park, a once epic halfpipe, and on powder days Carson could compete with some of the best powder lines in the West.
June also has a long history in snowboarding. The mountain hosted the first televised snowboarding event the OP Pro of Snowboarding in 1989, and in 1991 Craig Kelly and Keith Wallace dropped off the roof of the Chalet with the Mono County Sheriff on their tail only to be arrested in the parking lot. The mountain has played host to snowboarding contests, photos shoots, and more, but it looks like those days are over as Mammoth CEO Rusty Gregory announced yesterday (June 21, 2012) that Mammoth will not operate June Mountain for the 2012-13 season.
“June has operated at an annual deficit each year since its purchase in 1986,” said Gregory. “It is time to invest some of this subsidy into the analysis and planning required to position the resort for a sustainable future, then secure the approvals and financing required to create it.”
Guess those dreams of connecting Mammoth and June with a new base lodge below San Joaquin Ridge just never worked out. For the official word, follow the jump.MAMMOTH LAKES, CA – Rusty Gregory, Mammoth Mountain Ski Area Chairman and CEO, announced today the company will not operate June Mountain this summer and for the upcoming 2012- 13 winter season. “June has operated at an annual deficit each year since its purchase in 1986,” said Gregory. “It is time to invest some of this subsidy into the analysis and planning required to position the resort for a sustainable future, then secure the approvals and financing required to create it.”
Mammoth purchased June Mountain in 1986 with the idea of significantly increasing the size of the resort by building new facilities, extending new runs to the June Lake Village, and fostering additional developed ski areas along the San Joaquin Ridge, resulting in a connection between Mammoth and June Mountains. For a number of reasons, these plans were never realized and June Mountain has, in turn, suffered from an identity crisis that has both stifled its ability to achieve its full potential and required substantial financial subsidy from Mammoth on an annual basis. Cessation of operations will help the company dedicate its focus to a new future for June Mountain. Mammoth will be working with its partner the U.S. Forest Service to reach the best possible result in this endeavor.
In the weeks to come, Mammoth will be working to determine if and to what extent it can absorb June’s year round workforce.
Mammoth Mountain will continue to offer world-class skiing, snowboarding and summer activities for locals and visitors to the region.
Mammoth Mountain has operated continuously under permit from the U.S. Forest Service since 1954, and operated both resorts for the past 26 years. Mammoth Mountain Ski Area also owns and operates a variety of resort businesses including recreation, hospitality, food and beverage and retail including Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, Tamarack Lodge and Resort, Mammoth Snowmobile Adventures, Woolly’s Adventure Summit, Mammoth Mountain Bike Park and the Mammoth Mountain Inn. Mammoth Mountain also operates Juniper Springs Resort, the Village at Mammoth, and Sierra Star Golf Course.
