DAY 1 - Valerie stands by the bear at Canyon Lodge, her first time ever at Mammoth Mountain and my first visit in perhaps fifteen years. A lot has changed since the last time I skied here including the name of this lodge (formerly known as Hut 2). This weekend, Valerie and I will both take our first snowboarding lessons...I don't recall seeing a snowboarder the last time I skied here!

Clouds loom over Juniper Springs, the deluxe condo that we are staying at this trip. Built in 1999, this is one of the newest condo complexes on the mountain and its proximity to the lifts is nearly ski-in and ski-out

Juniper Springs' Main Lobby is cozy...and still decorated for Christmas

We rode up to Mammoth last night with Naughty Dog coworker Didier and his wife Lisa

Sharon with husband and Naughty Dog co-founder Andy Gavin sitting in the lobby

Karen and Valerie sit in the lobby

Rob and I sit in the lobby

DAY 2 - One of the beds in the condo, freshly made (Juniper Springs has maid service like a hotel)

Malcolm drops by

Our messy kitchen at Juniper Springs

My skis stand by near the door of our bedroom unused since I am using the weekend to learn how to snowboard. Though I've only used these skis on one previous trip (to Big Bear), Jason tells me that these bright yellow and flourescent pink-bottomed wonders belong in a museum. I do not disagree...mom gave me this pair in the early 1990's!

Panorama of the view from our room

Looking down on the pool behind the condo

The sun warms the backside of Juniper Springs

View from the back of Juniper Springs

Another angle of the view from behind the condo

Joe hosts a party in his room

Billy and Amy party at Joe's room in Juniper Springs

Bob and EP party at Juniper Springs

Jim and Christine party at Juniper Springs

Jordan parties at Juniper Springs

DAY 3 - The dome at Little Eagle, a temporary base facility on Mammoth's lower and eastern end opened the year after neighboring Juniper Springs Lodge