Mountain High’s 2018/19 season came to a close this Sunday making it the resort’s most successful winter in recent history. Ample snowfall from January through March lead to a 75% increase in visits over the previous season and the resort’s most profitable winter since 2012/13. More than 120 inches of natural snow fell this year, the most since 2010/11. Online ticket sales reached an all-time high and lessons were up 120%. Whether you were just starting out or haven’t skied locally in some time, this season reminded Southern Californians you don’t have to travel far to experience a real winter.
Said Karl Kapuscinski, President and CEO, “Of the 23 years I have been at Mountain High, this is the one I am most proud of. With all the external challenges, the team here did an unbelievable job.”
Fears of another slow season were palatable as the resort opened on December 4th amidst light snowfall. Snowmaking improvements paid off though and, once the temperature dropped, the resort was quickly up and running with top-to-bottom trails and a budding terrain park. As if not to be outdone, winter storms arrived shortly thereafter leaving more than a foot of natural snow at Mountain High and catapulting the resort to full operation just before the Christmas holiday. The combination of pent up demand and expansive terrain generated a huge increase in visits.
In January, the powder started to fly and by February Mountain High was a winter wonderland with snow totals that rivaled Colorado resorts. More than 5 feet of fresh snow fell during February making it the region’s coldest month since 1962. This helped open the East Resort, Mountain High’s second area, which operated the most days since 2012/13.
Mountain High’s new Yeti’s Snow Park, also at the East Resort, was hugely successful drawing more than 50,000 guests. Formerly the North Pole Tubing Park, Mountain High moved this popular snow play area from its North Resort to the more-visible East Resort and rethemed it with the Yeti, Mountain High’s mascot, and friends. Improvements for next year include scenic sky chair rides, a climbing wall and ice skating rink.
Highlights for the 2018/19 season include the largest resort gathering of Santas on the West Coast, 5 feet of fresh snow in February, and Spring-A-Ma-Jig with the NEFF Beach Bash and Miss Mountain High Pageant.
Though the season is ending, Mountain High is already working on its plans for next winter. More than $1 Million has been allocated towards new park features, new snowmaking & grooming equipment, and extensive base area improvements, including the expansion of the Foggy Goggle, Mountain High’s base-area pub and music venue.
For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact John McColly, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, at (760) 316-7803 or john@mthigh.com
Mountain High is Southern California’s closest winter resort located just an hour and a half from Los Angeles and Orange County. The area consists of three separate mountains (Mountain High East, West, and North), and offers a wide variety of lifts and trails, a world-class terrain park, an outstanding Winter Sports School, and the Yeti’s Snow Park. Night skiing & snowboarding is available 7 nights-a-week and snowmaking covers more than 80% of the slopes. Mountain High traditionally operates from mid-November to mid-April. Get more at mthigh.com.
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