DAY 1 - Peter rides with us to Mammoth Mountain so we can snap more photos of us taking photos of one another. Pete's pictures from this trip can also be found on SmugMug
Seriously, we do this everywhere
Valerie distributes the energy bars before we walk to the slopes
We arrive at Little Eagle Lodge and are thrilled to see snow surrounding the path
Snow coverage around Eagle Express was pathetic for much of last season
Pete straps in for the first time this season
Peter and Valerie look like they are already having fun
We quickly skate through the line for Eagle Express...it is NOT crowded today
Somehow I end up on my own chair...I guess Pete wants to get a shot of me riding the lift solo
Crowds are Friday-light
Unlike last season, snow now fills the valley and tops distant peaks
This house was for sale last season...I wonder if anyone bought it (and for how much)
This house finally looks finished
Last season, the hill between Christmas Tree and Watertank completely devoid of snow
If it were not for last weekend's storm (5-8 feet of snow), coverage might have looked similar to last season
Unfortunately, we missed riding in untracked powder by two days
We reach the top of Eagle Express
Let's get this snowboarding season started!
Our first stop is Mammoth's newest chairlift...a high-speed six-pack which replaces the hideously slow Chair 9
Cloud Nine Express appears to occupy the space of the former double chairlift...making runs on this side of the mountain much more accessible
The lift stops shortly after we sit down
If we are stuck here much longer, Pete and I will just keep taking pictures of one another