California ski resorts brace for an epic weekend of snow, crowds and disruptions

The most recent storm to hit California has brought 11 -14 inches of new snow to Mammoth Mountain. “There will be delays over the next several days with the amount of snow we’re receiving, so level-set your expectations,” said Kevin Cooper, a ski resorts consultant who previously worked at Heavenly in South Lake Tahoe and Northstar in Truckee. “That’s from Mammoth Mountain all the way to the Northern Sierra.” Early Thursday morning, Mammoth said the current storm had already brought up to 14 inches of snow to the mountain, which was facing “frigid conditions.” The resort said all upper mountain chairlifts would remain closed for the day. “The resorts have gotten really good at getting people moving around on the mountain,” said Jason Wong, a retired management consultant from Oakland who drives to Lake Tahoe every other weekend to ski. “Southern California roads are not used to that amount of snow, so it’s certainly going to take more time to clear,” said Michael Reitzell, president of trade group Ski California, which represents 35 resorts including Big Bear Mountain Resort, Mountain High and Mt.