Mountain High Resort in Wrightwood is eagerly preparing for the 2021/22 season with close to $1 Million in improvements including increased snowmaking, new terrain features, new rental equipment, and a new snowcat. The Wrightwood resort is ready to open any day after November 1st, weather permitting, and expects to be the first resort open in Southern California. This season's major improvements include but are not limited to:
Increased Snowmaking
Mountain High has one of the largest snowmaking systems in the country and, this year, more than $350,000 was invested to make the system larger and even more powerful. Through a combination of 25 new HKD “Low Energy” Stick Guns and 3 Technoalpin Fan Guns, the resort can make more snow than ever before.
Says Daniel Peckham, Snow Operations Manager, “We can run 100 of these sticks for the cost of 3 previous guns. They are incredibly efficient and make terrific snow.”
The difference is in the design. Traditional snow guns use electric fans or high-pressure nozzles to project snow horizontally across the slopes. Mountain High’s new “stick” guns tower 35 feet above the ground allowing fresh snow to fall naturally, ultimately requiring less energy. Thanks to this new design, they are dramatically quieter, creating a much better experience for guests on the mountain while snowmaking is underway.
Many snow guns at the East Resort have been replaced with this new technology and new snow fencing has been added to the upper mountain and teaching terrain. The increased snow production means earlier openings, longer seasons, better snow, and a deeper base.
Augmenting Mountain High’s snowmaking is its increased water supply. Thanks to last year’s wet winter, Mountain High has the most water for snowmaking since 2010. Their above-ground reservoirs are filled to the brim and their 11 underground wells continue to produce fresh water. Between 60%-80% of all the water used and collected returns to the ground to be used again the following season.
New Prinoth Bison X Snowcat
To augment its terrain park program, Mountain High purchased a Prinoth Bison X with the complete
“Park Package” including a high lift tiller, extended blade edges to shape takeoffs, and aggressive teeth to cut through hard packed snow. The fuel economy is much greater on these new machines and the emissions cleaner allowing us to perform longer with less pollution.
New Terrain Features
Mountain High had its shop running full bore this summer building 10 new terrain features and refurbishing more than 50. Look for classics that you know and love plus several new custom features for 21/22. This season there will be increased beginner-focus on Pipeline with intermediate to advanced features spread throughout The Wedge, Borderline, The Playground, and Woodworth Gulch.
Says Park Manager Rick Van De Mark said “The team and I were hard at work this summer manufacturing new rails and boxes to push you. I am especially proud of the new Park Bench and Waterfall feature.”
Expanded Yeti’s Snow Play
Mountain High has expanded its snow play facilities at the East Resort offering even more tubing lanes, more sledding terrain, and a larger snow play area. The North Resort will also act as overflow with snow play and snow shoeing available during the holidays.
The Yeti’s Snow Play, named in honor of Mountain High’s beloved mascot, provides a gateway to winter sports for anyone in Southern California. Keep your eyes peeled for the Yeti and his friends as they make their way from zone to zone, singing songs and interacting with the public. There are musical acts every weekend along with special, holiday fairs.
The Yeti’s Snow Play at the base of Mountain High’s East Resort is open 7 days a week from 8:30am-5:00pm. Future amenities include ice skating, a snow climbing wall, snow forts, and a hidden cave that doubles as the Yeti’s hideout.
Rossignol Experience Center
Mountain High has partnered with Rossignol to deliver state-of-the-art equipment and a performance-oriented rental experience. Each Rossignol Experience Center offers the latest ski gear, modernized tips, and full-service instruction to help all levels of visitors quickly become better, stronger, and more confident skiers. This year Mountain High added $200K worth of new skis and snowboards to its rental fleet. The Rossignol system is incredibly easy to set up and great for both beginners and experts. For skis Mountain High went with the Experience 76 RL Xpress and, for Snowboards, the EXP3 Rail System. Also new this season are Lesson Center boot dryers and a waxer/grinder to better maintain equipment.
Remodeled Foggy Goggle
The Foggy Goggle, Mountain High’s famed base-deck bar, received a facelift this summer getting a new look, new furniture, and new amenities. This is the home of many resort music events and the place to be seen when celebrating apres-ski on the slopes.
Slopetime Season Pass
Mountain High’s new $299 Slopetime Pass is for regional resort pass holders (Epic and Ikon OK) who want to add Mountain High, Southern California’s closest winter resort, to their winter experience. With a Mountain High Slopetime Pass guests get unlimited skiing and snowboarding, every day and night with NO BLACKOUTS and NO RESERVATIONS! Please note before purchasing:
- Primary resort’s season pass must be valued at $499 or above.
- Primary season pass must be valid for the 21/22 Winter Season.
- Proof of primary season pass is required before Mountain High’s pass is issued.
- Does not include additional season pass benefits such as Powder Alliance, discounts for friends & family, access to “add-ons,” etc.
There will be times you can’t get to your mountain. Add an entire season at Mountain High for the price of 3 lift tickets and never miss another powder day. Click here to Buy Now.
Final Improvements
Other improvements include new pizza ovens at the West Resort, Disc Golf year round, and potential electric vehicle charging stations. Mountain High also participates in managing local camp grounds so stay tuned for details on how to reserve your next campsite.
For more information on seasonal improvements or to schedule an interview please contact John McColly, VP Of Sales & Marketing, at (760) 316-7803 or john@mthigh.com. Follow Mountain High Resorts on Instagram @mthighsnow, Twitter @mthigh and Facebook.
Mountain High Resorts is Southern California’s closest winter destination located just 90 minutes from Los Angeles and Orange County. The area consists of three separate mountains (East Resort, West Resort, and North Resort) and offers a wide variety of lifts and trails, a world-class terrain park, an outstanding winter sports school and three Yeti’s Snow Parks. Night skiing and snowboarding is available Wed-Sun peak season and snowmaking covers more than 80 percent of the slopes. Mountain High traditionally operates from mid-November to mid-April. Visit www.mthigh.com for more information. Mountain High is an equal opportunity service provider operating under an Angeles National Forest special use permit.
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