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Pictured: Female winner, Rebecca Sopp (Photos: Erb)/

By Dr. Mike Dostrow

“We are victorious,” Pheidippides  proclaimed to the king of Greece, following victory over Persia in the battle of Marathon, at which point, legend has it, he died.

Although historians now doubt the veracity of this account, it’s a great story to which any long distance runner can relate.

Indeed, as I crossed the finish line last Sunday at the 32nd Annual Tioga Pass Run at 9,945 feet, I felt a certain kinship to Pheidippides – although thankfully I did not suffer the same fate.

In fact, I would soon be celebrating my little victory over Tioga Pass with a hundred other masochists at Whoa Nellie Deli. The food was great, as usual, and the camaraderie was inspiring. As Alana Levin, the race’s organizer, announced the winners, I felt a certain amount of pride in my accomplishment and astonishment at the superhuman feats of the victors. Eric Lynch came in first with an amazing time of 1:33:24! That’s sub eight-minute miles for 12.4 miles up Tioga Pass … incredible. Only twenty minutes behind him was the female winner, Rebecca Sopp with an impressive time of 1:54:16. The youngest athlete to ever participate, Alek Simpson, 16, came in third place with an outstanding time of 1:39:26. The oldest competitor was, Bill Dickey, 73, on the run for 30 years and is still going strong. Other feats worthy of praise came from a handful of uber-athletes who participated in the Granite man challenge. This superhuman group swam 1 to 2 miles on Friday, rode 100 miles in Saturday’s Fall Century and then ran the Tioga Pass Run on Sunday! 118 participants took part in the run although not everyone finished.

The Tioga Pass Run started in 1980 and is the second longest continuously running event in the Eastern Sierra. It starts in Lee Vining at an elevation of 6,781 ft and ends at Tioga Pass, the Eastern entrance of Yosemite National Park at an elevation of 9,945 ft above sea level. 12.4 miles, 3,200 feet of elevation gain and “only one hill.” Proceeds from this event go to the Mono Lake Committee. The event is dedicated to the memory of Ferdinand Castillo who cheered the brave runners of the Tioga Pass Run for the first 13 years.

One wonders what motivates an individual to want to do this voluntarily? As for me, my recent entry into a fifth decade of life forced me to prove that I still possessed a modicum of vim and vigor. As I broke bread (actually fish tacos) with the other runners I asked a few why they participated in this grueling event. Eric Lynch stated that he lives, works and runs up in Rock Creek and is fueled by fresh air and excellent pie. He told me he normally doesn’t like to pay to run but it was a “great cause”(Mono Lake Committee). Rebecca Sopp has run most of her life. “I love the challenge, I love the scenery and the camaraderie” she told me with an infectious smile on her lovely face. Dr. Will, a local neurologist, told me he simply wanted to “beat Bourne.” He was about five minutes behind Dr. Jonathan Bourne who has better anesthesia and great legs. Two nice ladies who came all the way from Texas quipped that running uphill was nice for a change. No matter what the motivating factors were, running up a hill that my car strains on is a monumental feat and I was proud to have participated with these amazing people. Special thanks and congratulations go out to Alana Levin and the other awesome people who organized and administered this special event, the 32nd annual Tioga Pass Run.

 

 

1 Eric Lynch, 24M, 1:33  Rock Creek

2 Ryan Spaukling, 27M 1:39  Bishop 3 Alek Simpson, 16M 1:39  Bass Lake 4 Rick Herr, 45M 1:43  Corona

5 Brian Whitehead, 30M 1:44  Boaz,

6 Brian Forbes, 37M 1:47  Sonora

7 Jon Crowley, 32M 1:49  Mammoth

8 Jason Serda, 34M 1:52

9 Rebecca Sopp, 25F 1:54  Bridgeport

10 Piotr Kaszkur, 31M 1:56  Bishop

11 Dave Miller, 62M 2:00

12 Sean Curry, 44M 2:01  Salinas

13 Russell Mackie, 42M 2:01  San Bruno

14 Matthew Ruiz, 32M 2:03

15 Jonathan Bourne, 56M 2:03  Mammoth

16 Tom Hallenbeck, 53M 2:05  Bishop

17 Travis Rue, 27M 2:05

18 Chad Lawver, 22M 2:07

New Philadelphia, OH

19 Will Douglas, 60M 2:09  Mammoth

20 Matthew DeJong, 34M 2:09  Mammoth

21 Stephen Intram, 51M 2:09  Swall Mdws

22 Rob Simpson, 42M 2:09  Bass Lake

23 Adrian Sears, 49M 2:10  Bishop

24 Fred Dillingham, 50M 2:10  Bridgeport

25 John Gillmore, 46M 2:10  Swall Mdws

26 Brian Ognisty, 33M 2:11  Mammoth

27 Tony Moore, 50M 2:11  Gardnervll

28 Trevor Coolidge, 29M 2:12  So. Tahoe

29 Cassandra Dufek, 27F 2:13  Yosemite

30 Ryan Pintar, 31M 2:13  Berkeley

31 Guy Buckingham, 43M 2:13  U.K.

32 Sarah Roessler, 28F 2:14  Ridgecrest

33 Justin Nalder, 27M 2:15  Gardnervll

34 Celeste Guerrero, 46F 2:18  Santa Cruz

35 McKenzie Scott, 57M 2:18  Orange

36 John Bennett, 36M 2:18  Mammoth

37 Dave Stefanides, 44M 2:18  Laguna Hls

38 Jessica Ogan, 34F 2:18

39 Alex Ertaud, 23M 2:21  Mammoth

40 Tony Phillips, 48M 2:21  Bishop

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

41 83 Few Preston 2:23 AM 12.4 Mile Run 38 M June Lake CA United States

42 30 Grah David 2:23 AM 12.4 Mile Run 53 M Bishop CA United States

43 78 McNairy Fred 2:24 AM 12.4 Mile Run 57 M Sanger CA United States

44 38 Burrows Michael 2:25 AM 12.4 Mile Run 38 M Redlands CA United States

45 87 Sullivan Michael 2:25 AM 12.4 Mile Run 35 M Rohnert Park CA United States

46 60 Horn Jessica 2:26 AM 12.4 Mile Run 26 F June Lake CA United States

47 114 Wirken Jeff 2:26 AM 12.4 Mile Run 26 M

48 85 Fear Belinda 2:27 AM 12.4 Mile Run 42 F Conwy UK

49 37 Winderweedle Jeremy 2:28 AM 12.4 Mile Run 38 M Apple Valley CA United States

50 75 Grobler Johan 2:29 AM 12.4 Mile Run 44 M Salinas CA United States G

51 17 Reid Kathie 2:29 AM 12.4 Mile Run 46 F Fresno CA United States

52 113 Campbell Tim 2:30 AM 12.4 Mile Run 50 M Mammoth Lakes CA United States

54 98 Crall Heather 2:30 AM 12.4 Mile Run 33 F Mammoth Lakes CA United States

54 55 Myers Diane 2:31 AM 12.4 Mile Run 54 F bishop CA United States

55 51 Hallman Shelly 2:32 AM 12.4 Mile Run 32 F Mammoth Lakes CA United States

56 14 Silverman Bob 2:33 AM 12.4 Mile Run 64 M Mammoth Lakes CA United States

57 10 Sydner Sandy 2:34 AM 12.4 Mile Run 61 F Apple Valley CA United States

58 122 Kiddoo Arnie 2:36 AM 12.4 Mile Run 64 M Bishop CA United States

59 27 Burnett Jr. Wayne 2:36 AM 12.4 Mile Run 58 M Elverta CA United States

60 88 Schwartz Karen 2:37 AM 12.4 Mile Run 39 F Bishop CA United States

61 50 Mayfield Shelley 2:38 AM 12.4 Mile Run 37 F Mammoth Lakes CA United States

62 6 Praker Brittina 2:38 AM 12.4 Mile Run 48 F Somerset CA United States

63 116 Cancelosi Chad 2:39 AM 12.4 Mile Run 43 M Mammoth Lakes CA United States G

64 61 Zarzana Linda 2:41 AM 12.4 Mile Run 56 F Sacramento CA United States

65 5 Praker Ben 2:43 AM 12.4 Mile Run 49 M Somerset CA United States

66 26 Hower-Colflesh Candy 2:43 AM 12.4 Mile Run 43 F Bishop CA United States

67 53 McVicker Bruce 2:46 AM 12.4 Mile Run 50 M OAK PARK CA United States G

68 39 Broadwater Molly 2:46 AM 12.4 Mile Run 36 F Bishop CA United States

69 125 Freetz Kim 2:48 AM 12.4 Mile Run 49 F

70 44 Schaniel Thomas 2:48 AM 12.4 Mile Run 42 M Bishop CA United States

71 124 Robinette Chris 2:48 AM 12.4 Mile Run 36 F Mammoth Lakes CA United States G

72 119 Larsen Lindsay 2:49 AM 12.4 Mile Run 40 F

73 96 Avritt Joshua 2:52 AM 12.4 Mile Run 26 M Hemet CA United States

74 117 Roses Carmella 2:52 AM 12.4 Mile Run 30 F

75 79 Case Judy 2:52 AM 12.4 Mile Run 60 F Sanger CA United States

76 123 Lynch Joani 2:53 AM 12.4 Mile Run 42 F Mammoth Lakes CA United States G

77 126 Moyer Trisha 2:53 AM 12.4 Mile Run 44 F Bishop CA United States G

78 49 Lonza Pam 2:53 AM 12.4 Mile Run 53 F Mammoth Lakes CA United States

79 29 Deck Jerome 2:54 AM 12.4 Mile Run 48 M Oakland CA United States

80 40 Fuchs Meghan 2:55 AM 12.4 Mile Run 41 F Bishop CA United States

81 53 Holt Julia 2:56 AM 12.4 Mile Run 45 F corona CA United States

82 19 Imthurn Carl 2:57 AM 12.4 Mile Run 55 M Forest Falls CA United States

82 70 Malloy Sarah 3:00 AM 12.4 Mile Run 33 F Bishop CA United States G

83 56 Taylor Julie 3:05 AM 12.4 Mile Run 51 F Bishop CA United States

84 43 Eastwood Raymond 3:09 AM 12.4 Mile Run 70 M Palos Verdes Estates CA United States G

85 2 Warburg Timothy 3:10 AM 12.4 Mile Run 50 M Moreno Valley CA United States

86 63 Walker Randy 3:11 AM 12.4 Mile Run 57 M Lee Vining CA United States

87 107 Latta Shari 3:11 AM 12.4 Mile Run 53 F

88 81 Lenderking Hollis 3:13 AM 12.4 Mile Run 62 M La Honda CA United States

89 28 Conrado Veronica 3:15 AM 12.4 Mile Run 48 F West Covina CA United States

90 111 Dickey Bill 3:32 AM 12.4 Mile Run 73 M

91 80 Taylor Adam 3:34 AM 12.4 Mile Run 38 M Chalfant CA United States

92 52 Cooke Christine 3:35 AM 12.4 Mile Run 27 F Coleville CA United States

93 127 Echeverria Anna Maria 3:45 AM 12.4 Mile Run 39 F

94 128 Ingram Mark 3:45 AM 12.4 Mile Run 48 M

Karch Mike 2hrs-ish 12.4 Mile Run 40-something M Mammoth Lakes CA United States G

W1 88 Andersen Jill 2:57 AM 12.4 Mile Walk 35 F Reno NV United States

W10 42 Graham Terri 3:31 AM 12.4 Mile Walk 50 F houston TX United States

W11 64 Sterley Alison 3:32 AM 12.4 Mile Walk 58 F Anchorage AK United States

W12 95 McCarthy Connie 3:42 AM 12.4 Mile Walk 54 F Bishop CA United States

W13 110 McMillan Christina 3:44 AM 12.4 Mile Walk 46 F

W14 104 Balasteros Richard 4:20 AM 12.4 Mile Walk 46 M

W15 93 Kinzie Kathie 4:28 AM 12.4 Mile Walk 65 F Philo CA United States

W16 71 Reuter Angie 4:32 AM 12.4 Mile Walk 34 F Yosemite CA United States

W2 12 Markewich Samuel 3:12 AM 12.4 Mile Walk 43 M Oakland CA United States

W3 86 Dostrow Michael 3:18 AM 12.4 Mile Walk 50 M Mammoth Lakes CA United States

W4 62 Snuggs Jean 3:19 AM 12.4 Mile Walk 62 F Sacramento CA United States

W5 97 McDonald Harold 2:58 AM 12.4 Mile Walk 62 M Bishop CA United States

W5 98 Ouellette Tess 3:26 AM 12.4 Mile Walk 51 F Oakland CA United States

W6 97 Hill Jeramy 3:29 AM 12.4 Mile Walk 32 M Yosemite CA United States

W7 99 Hill Sydney 3:29 AM 12.4 Mile Walk 29 F Yosemite CA United States

W8 96 McDonald Betsy 3:30 AM 12.4 Mile Walk 57 F Bishop CA United States

W9 41 Wilkins Janice 3:31 AM 12.4 Mile Walk 55 F Livingston TX United States

64 Reyes Isai DNF 12.4 Mile Run 20 M San Pedro CA United States

80 Thomas Akiko DNF 12.4 Mile Run 21 F San Pedro CA United States

87 Zupan Karen DNF 12.4 Mile Run 45 F simi valley CA United States G

2 Beall Robert DNS 12.4 Mile Run 51 M Laguna Beach CA United States

16 Dalzell Steve DNS 12.4 Mile Run 50 M Simi Valley CA United States

22 Evens Laura DNS 12.4 Mile Run 44 F newhall CA United States

31 Guyer Donald DNS 12.4 Mile Run 30 M Salinas CA United States

41 Kusner Kathy DNS 12.4 Mile Run 72 F Playa Vista CA United States

43 Ledesma Isabel DNS 12.4 Mile Run 40 F bishop CA United States

51 McLaughlin Jessie DNS 12.4 Mile Run 29 F Bishop CA United States

54 Miyakawa Martee DNS 12.4 Mile Run 48 F Los Angeles CA United States

60 Platts Sarah DNS 12.4 Mile Run 28 F San Jose CA United States

66 Sanchez Sandra DNS 12.4 Mile Run 32 F Ontario CA United States

1 Wara Michael DNS 12.4 Mile Run 39 M Mill Valley CA United States

 

 

 

 

 

On Tuesday, June 12, at approximately 11 a.m., Mono County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch received a call from the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office with the report of a missing person thought to be traveling on Hwy 120W down Tioga Pass.

Mono County Sheriff’s Investigators responded to Tioga Pass at Blue Slide and located a vehicle approximately 200 yards off the roadway. Lee Vining Fire personnel reached the vehicle via rope and discovered Roberta Singer, age 20, from Simi Valley, Calif., deceased.

Lee Vining Fire Department, Mono County Paramedics, California Highway Patrol, Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue, Yosemite Search and Rescue, U.S Forest Service, the National Park Service and Caltrans were all dispatched to aid in the efforts of locating the missing person.

The cause of the accident is under investigation by the California Highway Patrol and final cause of death is under investigation by the Mono County Sheriff’s Office. -Press Release

 

Tenaya Lake, viewed here from Olmsted Point, is completely ice free even though just four short months ago many people were happily skating on its frozen surface. (Photo: Kirkner)

Tioga Road reopened on Monday, heralding in a summer that many on the Eastside have been longing for on the heels of a rough, dry winter.

Tioga Road (or Pass) serves as a corridor between the east and west sides of the Sierra Nevada. Its opening unlocks a fresh stream of business for local Eastern Sierra operators, plus gives local Eastsiders easier access to the west.

The Pass, also known as Hwy 120, officially closed for the winter on Jan. 17, making it the latest closure date on the books. With the short time that elapsed between that closure and Monday’s opening, this season also marked one of the shortest windows of time the pass has been closed, according to Kari Cobb, Yosemite Public Affairs Officer.

Many factors go into the determination of when the pass can open, according to the National Park Service website.

“Once plowing of the Tioga Road is completed, additional work must be completed before the road can safely be opened,” the site said. This work includes checking and clearing the 26 potential avalanche zones, clearing trees that have fallen across the road, dealing with rock slides, road repairs and late season snow storms.

This year’s snowpack was approximately 50% of normal.

 

At its April 3 meeting, the Mono County Board of Supervisors discussed the following:

Tioga Pass opening date

According to members of the Mono County Board of Supervisors, Tioga Pass is expected to open by Memorial Weekend.

Supervisor Vikki Bauer added that Caltrans had already plowed to the gate and was heading to Glacier Point.

Green light to fill vacancy

Mono County Public Health Director, Lynda Salcido’s request to the Board of Supervisors to fill a vacancy in her department was approved without much fanfare.

The current Children’s Medical Service Director recently resigned. The total cost for the position is $125,784 ($75,000 for salary, $14,621 PERS and $36,163 for benefits) but it is funded by a combination of state and federal funds and has zero impact on the County’s General Fund, according to Salcido. The Board approved filling the vacancy with a 5-0 vote.

Spellbinder ICARE Shopping Day

Spellbinder Books and ICARE invite you to the 12th Annual ICARE Shopping Day on Saturday, Dec. 10. Just purchase a $5 ICARE Donation Ticket at the store from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and receive 20% off a wonderful selection of books, calendars, greeting cards and assorted gifts. There will also be a drawing for prizes. Your $5 donation goes directly to ICARE and helps the Eastern Sierra’s companion animals in need. Happy Holidays!

Proceeds will go directly to the ICARE Stitch Fund, which provides veterinary care for ill or injured shelter animals, so they can go home with loving adopters.

Spellbinder Books is located at 124 S. Main St. in Bishop. Questions/info: call Lynne at 760.873.4511.

Dr. King’s Sunday Baby Chat

Are you pregnant? Do you have a baby less than one year old? Join in the 1st Monthly Baby Chat Tea, hosted by Dr. Maria King, Sunday Dec. 11, 1-2 p.m. in English, 3-4 p.m. in Spanish, at her office in the Sierra Center Mall, 452 Old Mammoth Rd., 2nd Fl. Meet other parents-to-be, meet new parents and hear their experiences, find out about available services, sip a cup of herbal tea, enjoy a cool beverage, indulge in a light snack. No matter where you choose to receive medical care for your baby, ALL ARE WELCOME. Childcare provided. RSVP: 760.934.0003 (English) or 760.709.0235 (Espanol).

North Mono recreation options

The Bridgeport Winter Recreation Area has been newly expanded. The opening of the Pacific Crest Trail crossing this winter will allow snowmobilers to access the legendary Sonora Pass from west to east for the first time by connecting it with the Bridgeport Winter Recreation Area. The Pacific Crest Trail Crossing and BWRA terrain are meant for experienced snowmobilers. Permits are required, but free. Contact the Bridgeport Ranger Station at 760.932.7070.

And take a look at Mono Lake on the big screen. The Mono Lake Tufa State Reserve has been removed from the state park closure list! Celebrate by watching The Mono Lake Story! Part of the esteemed 2012 Wild & Scenic Film Festival, the 27-minute film is also up for a Hollywood Music in Media award for Best Documentary Score! See it at the Mono Lake Committee Visitor Center in Lee Vining.

Mammoth Nordic

It’s not too late to reserve a spot at Mammoth Nordic’s 6th Annual Fall Fundraiser, taking place Monday night, Dec. 12, at Restaurant Skadi, 6 p.m.

Cost is $50 for members and $85 for non-members. Money collected at the door.

In addition to helping support the grooming of local trails, proceeds support SnowSchool, the new, free after-school winter ecology program for local 1st graders.

Ticket purchase includes one complimentary raffle ticket for a six-night Nordic getaway to Winthrop, Wash. RSVP to barbara@mammothnordic.com to reserve your space soon!

It’s almost August, and yet a hike last weekend into the upper elevations of the Mammoth Lakes Basin revealed that a large amount of snow remains from the heavy Eastern Sierra winter of 2010/11.

Hikes up Duck Pass (pictured) to Duck Lake, as well as the hike to Crystal Lake had large patches of snow still covering portions of the trail. Hikers should not be disheartened, however, as the trails were passable as long as outdoor enthusiasts don’t mind carefully making their way over these patches and rooting around for the trail every now and then.

An opportunity to clean up and maintain the trail to Duck Lake, as well as other Coldwater trailheads is available this weekend through the MLTPA and Friends of the Inyo Summer of Stewardship program. For more information visit www.mltpa.org or www.friendsoftheinyo.org.

The Mammoth Value Pass will once again be open to the general public for the 2011/12 season. The last time Mammoth Mountain had the pass open to everyone was for the 2009/10 season. Last April, the pass was closed off to new members, but according to a note from Rusty Gregory sent out to all current MVP members, the demands to reopen the pass to the general public have been so persistent, the pass will again reopen to everyone this year.

Passes will be available for purchase to the general public beginning April 1. Existing MVP members will have the option to purchase beginning March 29. The price of an adult pass will be $659 for adults (19-64), $494 for youth (13-18), and $329 for children and seniors (7-12 and 65-79).

2011/12 MVP pass holders are entitled to unlimited skiing and riding with zero blackout dates at Mammoth and June mountains beginning May 1, 2011 through the end of the 2011/12 season. -MMSA/LAK

One thing will always be certain, Mammoth locals froth for powder days like Hyde Lounge loves a good-sized queue. And speaking of long lines, last weekend Mammoth Mountain ski area witnessed some of the best powder days of the season.Of course, when the storm finally cleared, the combination of bluebird skies, an untracked upper mountain and swarming holiday crowds left Mammoth skiers and snowboarders in an all-too familiar battle for the freshies.

However, last Sunday the guests who were patiently waiting in line at McCoy Station were less than thrilled with MMSA’s latest steep-and-deep antihero, the Black Pass, or so they thought.

But before we get into that, let’s get some facts in order for the uninitiated. The all-access Black Pass debuted this year and starts at $10,000 a pop. It features a cornucopia of enticing perks like preferred parking, free demos and a complimentary concierge. But most important (and controversial), this ultimate season pass comes with the almighty power to cut lift lines … even on a powder day.

We all know that a typical powder day can become a high stress/strategic race to the goods, and like a twisted Oreo, only one cookie gets the sought-after white stuff. As predicted by many, it was only a matter of time before the diehard powder hounds and the Black Pass holders would eventually face off. That’s what happened last Sunday.

As anyone who was out on the hill last weekend will tell you, the snow was amazing and the hill was swarming. That being said, it’s understandable that there was a huge line from McCoy that stretched almost all the way back to Chair 3.

People never seem to mind a long wait if it means a chance at fresh tracks. But the frustration set in when they glanced over at Climax and saw a group of skiers hot doggin’ down the face. When the group walked past the snaking line (along with MMSA CEO Rusty Gregory) and got back on the gondola for another lap, murmurs spread through the line and people started getting the crazy eye twitch.

To make matters worse, people in line were not psyched about the large groups of private lessons also cutting to the front (Side note: Mammoth Mountain policy states that ski school, along with Black Pass holders must alternate with guests in the main queue).

Meanwhile, as others were waiting close to two hours at McCoy, a middle-aged guy had a plan to hop on the bottom gondola with the hopes that while riding up, the upper gondy would get the green light to the top. But the top wasn’t open to the public yet. When he reached McCoy, he was asked to exit the gondola. Stepping out, he saw the massive line, and et his frustration for the Black Pass be known to all and shouted, “F*ck the Black Pass!” A mixture of cheers and boos appropriately followed.

One witness told the Sheet that Ski Patrol immediately rushed over and tried to settle everyone down. “I thought people were going to tear the roof down, people were pissed.”

Now I love heckling as much as anyone but the problem with angry guy’s well-timed “F bomb” is that the lucky skiers cutting in line weren’t Black Pass holders. In fact, they were the winners of a charity item from last year’s Mammoth Invitational. It turns out they won a day of first track skiing. Unfortunately, angry guy didn’t know this.

“Hey! Come over here a sec!” shouted MMSA CEO Rusty Gregory. Rusty and the guy go talk privately off to the side. “I’ve been here 35 years,” he vents to the Man in Black. “It just pisses me off that the Black Pass holders get to ride up early.”

Letting the guy cool down for a second, Rusty invited him for a ride up the gondy. “After talking for a bit, I found out he was a Mammoth High School graduate. So I explained to him that 100% of the proceeds from the Mammoth Invitational go to the Mammoth Mountain Community Foundation, which benefits our schools.” But what the guy also didn’t know is that the Mammoth Invitational isn’t the only thing that raises money for local schools, so does the Black Pass. Every time someone purchases a Black Pass, $1,000 goes to MUSD.

I talked to Rusty via phone last Wednesday, “But Rusty, did they have to ski right down the face? Right in front of that huge lift line? Couldn’t they have picked a better run?” I asked. “Nah, they picked the best run.” I couldn’t find a reason to disagree with that.

“I understand people’s frustration with the Black Pass,” said Rusty. “But what some people might not know is that the benefits that come with it like the parking, the concierge, line cutting, these are things we’ve always offered to our guests. Now they’re just bundled together.”

There’s no denying that since the Black Pass’s inception there has been a heavy distaste from the local sector targeted at the pricey new product. So to say it’s been parodied and ridiculed is an understatement. Over the past 3 and a half months Mammoth Lakes has seen the birth of a ton of Black Pass jokes, the viral bumper sticker sporting the slogan, “Kiss My Black Pass” and now a newly formed Facebook group entitled “BanBlackPass Mammoth Mountain.”

None of this is news to Rusty, so I asked him how he felt about people reacting so passionately about skiing here in Mammoth, “Well, I suppose it’s a good problem to have.”

The new bumper sticker going around town.

Sheet: Hey Rusty, have you seen it?

Rusty: Where do I get one for my office?

Click on the picture to get the full view.

First chair of the 2010/11 season was the reward for this group that camped out overnight for the honor at MMSA’s Opening Day. (Photo: Kirkner)

Mammoth Mountain opened from head to toe on Thursday, with approximately 1-3 feet of natural and manmade snow, access to the Cornice Bowl, new park features and a brand new type of pass for individuals in the higher tax brackets.

The Mammoth Black Pass is a premium product that has been under development for several years, according to Senior Vice President at MMSA Pam Murphy. It was announced this summer.

“It’s a year-round season pass that gives passholders access to Mammoth Mountain, June Mountain, Tamarack and the bike park,” Murphy explained. In other words, it’s your all-access pass to Mammoth’s playground.

“Basically we are bundling services that we already provide into a program that targets a specific group,” Murphy continued. “These are long-time community stakeholders and donors to Mammoth’s programs.”

The program caters to the guests who are used to elite services, but according to Murphy, are not “elitists.”

“They want to be part of the community,” she explained. “If people, including myself, want to pay more for firstclass services, that doesn’t mean I’m an elitist. It just means that convenience, access and service [the top priorities of the pass program] are important to me.”

The cost of a Mammoth Black Pass, per year, for a single member is $10,000. For two passes the price is $15,000. A family of five would pay $20,000.

A corporate Mammoth Black Pass, which is completely transferable, will run you $25,000.

One thousand dollars from each membership will go to the Mammoth Mountain Community Foundation. The remaining money will be used the same way money from a regular lift ticket is used, according to Murphy.

“The money goes toward operations and infrastructure, as well as local charities, ski programs and more” she explained.

The pass price includes line cutting privileges (“You enter in the ski school line and go right to the front,” Murphy explained), a season pass for adults in demo, a personal concierge service to help organize your trip, a special dining area at Parallax in McCoy Station, and starting next year, a private locker room area.

What the pass does not include, Murphy clarified, is exclusive, closed-slope skiing.

“There is a misconception out there that we will allow early ups for Black Pass holders,” she said. “What we are offering is a special sunrise breakfast at McCoy on certain days of the season. This is included in the pass but is also an option available for public purchase.”

The activity allows guests early morning access to McCoy station for breakfast. After enjoying said breakfast participants will then be able to enjoy the slopes, just a few minutes early, and get first tracks down, according to Murphy.

“It’s not about early skiing, it’s more about the breakfast,” Murphy explained. “We’re not exclusively closed for any group. We are committed to great service for everyone.”

Diamond Partner vs. Black Pass

Murphy also clarified that the Mammoth Black Pass was not replacing the Mammoth Lakes Foundation’s Diamond Partner Program, which has been in existence for 19 years, even though the benefits of the new season pass are similar to those that were offered to Diamond Partners.

“The Diamond Partner Program was just a program to help the Mammoth Lakes Foundation get going,” she explained. “Mammoth Mountain Ski Area is still committed to the Foundation. We will still be donating season passes to MLF and promoting its events and activities.”

MLF Executive Director Evan Russell explained that the Diamond Partner program did go away with the advent of the Mammoth Black Pass and with it a signature source of revenue for MLF.

“But a number of people from the Diamond Partner Program will continue to support MLF in new ways,” Russell explained. “We are working on ideas now and already have some special events lined up for next summer.”

Mammoth Mountain opened with 12 trails accessing more than 2,000 vertical feet of rideable terrain including Cornice Bowl from the summit of Mammoth Mountain.

In addition to providing top-to-bottom skiing and boarding, Mammoth also debuted a variety of new features in its world-famous Unbound Terrain Park. Among the new offerings are a new urban stairset with three down options, a new brick urban planter box and a new concrete ledge. A selection of early-season jumps and other assorted rails and jibs are also available.

Last year MMSA had an early opening on Oct. 16, 2009, with top-to-bottom riding on Cornice. The Mountain then closed for a few weeks and reopened on Nov. 6, again with top-to-bottom skiing and riding access to Cornice Bowl.

For a schedule of the Mountain’s opening weekend festivities for the 2010/11 season, see this week’s calendar section on pages 12 and 13.