In The Shadow Of Mammoth, June Mt. Features Dramatic Views.
One of the most beautiful drives in ski country is from Carson City, NV down Rt 395 to Mammoth Lakes, CA. Passing Mono Lake and making your way through the passes that are open in the winter yields some of the most breathtaking views in the country.
As we made our way down 395 this year, we called an audible to swing on to the June Lake Loop on Highway 158 through June Lake to the June Mountain Ski Resort owned by Mammoth Mountain.
We had never skied June before, and stopping there gave me my 110th different area on my list. Providing wide open, groomed intermediate terrain with some nice glade skiing due to ample snow fall this season in the Sierras, it was a delightful pause to our tour of Tahoe ski areas, finishing at Mammoth Mountain. Not every day needs to be a hammer fest with maximum vertical feet quests and skiing the tough chutes and cornice drops that are typical with our hard charging senior group. The day at June was a welcome break to ski some delightfully groomed runs with low angle glade skiing mixed in.
June has a seven lifts, 41 trails, and about half are rated advanced, the other half blues and greens. The resort boasts 70 percent sunny days during the season. Rainbow Summit is at 10,ooo feet and views are spectacular. From there, you can run down Silverado, June’s longest run (two miles), to the mid-mountain chalet.
Perhaps the most visible benefit of the visit to June was the incredible scenery. Sitting at the enclosed deck for lunch, we were treated to vistas that reminded me of the great views of the Alps. The sharpness of the clear day vistas were enhanced by what seemed to be a close up and personal look at the most dramatic mountain peaks in the Sierras. As beautiful as the Minarets are from the top of Mammoth, the vistas from the top of June rivaled their big brother. Although there are no senior lift ticket discounts per se, the schedule of ticket rates are similar to Mammoth with a base price of 119.00 per day at June versus the 182.00 tab at Mammoth. If you order on line, you can receive up to 20% off for one day tickets and as much as 40% off for visits and purchases of 5 days or more. June and Mammoth are also on the Ikon Pass.
The town of June Lake is a little sleepy in the winter with the exception of the June Lake Brewing Company on main drag of Crawford Ave. Exceptional IPAs and other selections that are a staple for the outdoor set in the June Lake area. During the week, you basically have the place to yourself with no lift lines and quiet, scenic relaxing runs. We always make the Mammoth Lakes area a staple on our visits to the Sierras and the detour to June Mountain should not be missed by any skier venturing down 395.
Click here for June Mt. trail map.
Click here for June Mt. webcam.
Beautiful place!
Pat, Congratulations on Number 110. Glad you had great snow.