After the epic spring conditions we enjoyed in Squaw, arriving in Mammoth was a bit of a let down. A cold front had settled in and transformed Mammoth into a giant ice cube. To make matters worse, the flat light made seeing the terrain features next to impossible. That couldn't stop the PTTP, as we went out to test ourselves and to prove that we are not fair-weather skiers. Our bones rattled with every loud turn as we skied the steep and icy chutes off the top. We suffered along with the other few dedicated souls that braved the bunk conditions that day and were rewarded with some fresh air and a little exercise, but not much else.
We awoke to drifting snow piling up on our porch and knew that something was up. A quick call to the Mammoth snow report informed us of the 11 inches of fresh that fell overnight. Bingo! We were back in action and Powder to the People was in full effect.

Our trusty EuroVan made it up the steep, snowpacked incline to the mountain with surprising ease. We powered past the other powder hounds and parked in the almost empty parking lot. Did everyone sleep in or had the locals lost the skiing bug? Maybe the day was dismissed as dust on crust. Whatever the reason, we enjoyed an epic day of storm skiing with only a few others. One of those individuals was Christian Pondella, famed ski photographer and local diehard. Chris took us all over Lincoln peak and we enjoyed conditions that improved as the day went on. Wind transported the snow so quickly that our tracks were filled in after every run. Pondella's super fat twin tips kicked up huge tornados of snow with every turn. The turbulence made it difficult to see, but the snow was so silky smooth and forgiving that it didn't matter. We skied bell to bell then retreated from the elements to enjoy a little relaxing before the party at Whisky Creek.