June Mountain ski area facts for kids
Quick facts for kids June Mountain |
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 June Mountain
Location in California
June Mountain
Location in the United States
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| Location | June Mountain Inyo National Forest |
| Nearest city | June Lake, California |
| Coordinates | 37°46′06″N 119°05′26″W / 37.7683°N 119.0906°W |
| Vertical | 2,545 ft (776 m) |
| Top elevation | 10,090 ft (3,080 m) |
| Base elevation | 7,545 ft (2,300 m) |
| Skiable area | 1,500 acres (610 ha) |
| Runs | 41 total 15% beginner 40% intermediate 45% advanced |
| Longest run | 2 mi (3.2 km) |
| Lift system | 7: (2 high speed quads, 4 Doubles, 1 carpet lift) |
| Lift capacity | 10,000 passengers/hr |
| Terrain parks | Mambo Upper Sunrise Jib Sunrise Super Pipe |
| Snowfall | 250 in (640 cm) |
| Snowmaking | some available |
| Night skiing | None |
| Website | www.JuneMountain.com |
June Mountain ski area is a fun winter resort located in the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains. You can find it near June Lake, which is southeast of Yosemite National Park.
This mountain is a favorite for skiers and snowboarders from Southern California. It's often easier to get to in winter than other resorts like those near Lake Tahoe. Local families, school ski programs, and race teams from Mono County also love June Mountain. The resort helps bring many visitors to these small towns.
In March 2006, June Mountain hosted exciting events. These included the Ski Mountaineering Race Series and parts of the California Winter Games for skiing and snowboarding.
June Mountain isn't just for winter! In the summer, you can ride the chair lifts up to the chalet. There are also hiking trails and beautiful views to enjoy during the warmer months.
Contents
Mountain History and Ownership
For 50 years, June Mountain was open every season. But on June 21, 2012, its owner, Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, announced it would close for a year. This news worried many local people. They were concerned about how the closure would affect their community.
Because of the strong community support, June Mountain decided to reopen. They invested in new snowmaking equipment and a chairlift. The resort welcomed visitors again for the 2013–2014 season.
In 2014, Mammoth Mountain bought two other ski areas, Bear Mountain and Snow Summit. Later, in 2017, Mammoth Resorts was sold to a new company called Alterra Mountain Company.
Exploring the Mountains
June Mountain ski area has two main peaks. One is Rainbow Mountain, which is 10,040 feet (3,060 meters) high. The other is June Mountain, which reaches 10,090 feet (3,075 meters). From the bottom ticket office to the top of June Mountain, you climb 2,545 feet!
The resort usually gets about 250 inches (6.4 meters) of snow each year. They also have some snowmaking machines to help out. The ski season typically runs from December through April.
June Mountain covers a large area of 1,500 acres. It has 35 named trails for all skill levels:
- 15% are for beginners.
- 40% are for intermediate skiers and snowboarders.
- 45% are for advanced riders.
The mountain also features two fun terrain parks and a huge 22-foot superpipe. If you love fresh snow, you can explore the trees off the main trails. June Mountain is a favorite among locals because it's less crowded and easy to find fresh powder after a snowstorm.
Ski Lifts and How They Work
June Mountain has 7 ski lifts to take you up the mountain. There are 2 fast "high-speed quads" and 4 "double" chairlifts. There's also a "people mover" carpet lift, which is great for beginners.
Chair J1, a double chair, takes you from the lower ticket office to the June Meadows Chalet. This chalet is where you'll find most of the resort's services. From the chalet, you can either ski down the challenging front side or head to the upper mountain for more intermediate runs.
Chair J6 is a high-speed quad lift. It gives you direct access to the top of Rainbow Mountain and many intermediate trails. Another option from the chalet is Chair J2. This lift leads to Stew Pot Slims, where you can grab food and drinks. It also gives you access to one of the mountain's terrain parks and the 22-foot superpipe.
From the top of Chair J2, you can connect to Chair J4 and Chair J7. Chair J4 also goes to the summit of Rainbow Mountain. Chair J7 takes you to the very top of June Mountain. From there, you can enjoy some of the most famous runs and the resort's largest terrain park. All the lifts together can carry 10,000 people per hour!
Services at the Resort
Most of the services at June Mountain are located at the June Meadows Chalet. This chalet is conveniently found at the top of Chair J1. Here, you can enjoy a meal at the restaurant or visit the popular bar.
The chalet is also home to the ski school, where you can learn to ski or snowboard. There's a shop for general merchandise and a ski shop. This shop has everything you need for skiing and snowboarding, including gear and accessories.
Another restaurant on the mountain is "Stew Pots Slim's." It's located at the base of Chair J7. This spot is popular with advanced skiers because it's close to the terrain parks and many challenging runs. They serve drinks, sandwiches, soups, and chili.
Backcountry Adventures
The ski lifts at June Mountain also help riders reach amazing backcountry ski spots. These are areas outside the main resort that would normally take a long hike to get to. Some examples include San Joaquin Ridge, the Negatives, Fern Creek, Carson Peak, Devil’s Slide, and Four Seasons.
Because of where the resort is located, you can easily ski down 5,000 feet with only about 2,000 feet of climbing on skis. This makes June Mountain a top spot for lift-accessed backcountry skiing in the West. There's a wide variety of terrain to explore right near the resort.
Images for kids
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Looking down upon June from the top
