Closing Day
Snow Valley spun its lifts for the last time for the 2020-2021 season today, making them (by a week) the longest-running SoCal resort this winter. Has that ever happened before?
It's an especially impressive feat when you consider Snow Valley is the lowest of the SoCal resorts, with a base elevation of 6K and a summit barely over 7K. I can only attribute their longevity this season to an apparently successful snowmaking system upgrade, plus an obviously fanatic commitment on the part of management and resort staff to stay open as long as possible.
Thank you, Snow Valley. You were part of a tiny but much-appreciated bit of normality for me and my kids this winter.
My understanding is, despite the pandemic, Snow Valley had its best season ever in terms of attendance. It certainly was a thin winter for snowfall, but Snow Valley seemed to catch what it needed, and made snow aggressively when they could. Overall, conditions throughout the winter were good.
We took as much advantage of the skiing as we could this winter, logging easily the most Snow Valley days we've ever skied in a winter. It sure never felt normal, but at times it did feel good.
Thank you, all of you, for your well-wishes and encouragement. It means a lot to me.
— April 18, 2021
Andy Lewicky is the author and creator of SierraDescents
Joseph Gregory April 19, 2021 at 11:24 am
Love to see you getting out and reporting on skiing conditions. We love you and all you do!
Matt D April 19, 2021 at 12:55 pm
Always love to see ski resort management as fanatic about staying open as I am about getting out there :)
Glad to see you posting and happy to hear that you got a lot of Snow Valley days in!
Bill April 27, 2021 at 6:53 am
Our little SV - played a big role in my kids' snow-development. This year they skied in 7 Laux France but seemed to miss SV. I didn't expect that. My wife and I miss the Bloody Mary's and deck at the Deer Meadow Grille. Ski areas here in France never opened this year due to Covid restrictions, except for certain youth clubs. But it was great for "randonee de ski." Glad to see you got time on the slopes with your kids. I stopped BC skiing for about 8 years (this being the first to restart) so I kid spend all my ski time with my kids. Silver lining?
Brad Brown April 27, 2021 at 10:20 am
I passed by SV returning from 2 days at SS on 4-9, already looked sad. SS could have pushed another week+ but probably closed more for corporate reasons than skier concerns, also sad. Still, despite a 5 week Covid bug layoff I still managed 13 days there.
Under the heading of “Current Conditions” just returned from MM. Conditions?!? Depends on when ya ask. Friday (4-23): spring conditions, 90% of the day we hung around 23-Wipe Out still in play. Saturday: wind hold on most lifts, max observed wind of 97 mph on top, the mountain shut down during lunch, stone cold boiler plate ice (dust on crust) around mid mountain unloading stations with occasional wind blown teaser pow pockets, add some corn snow lower down for the complete psycho snow experience, we brought climbing gear so practiced crampon work under the heading of “....make lemonade.” Sunday: Ah....an April surprise of 4-6” new providing my only pow of the season....glorious....couldn’t stop per high wind/snow refills on every run, left for LA at 4pm .....zzzzzz.
Gear Note: new Mantra M6 (2022) absolutely ruled in all above conditions. After consulting with Volkl corporate decided to go with 177 length (6-2/200+, 69 yr). Rips GS but the variable radius allows tight turns on steep and pow. Soul 7’s now in semi retirement.
Brad Brown April 27, 2021 at 2:16 pm
I passed by SV returning from 2 days at SS on 4-9, already looked sad. SS could have pushed another week+ but probably closed more for corporate reasons than skier concerns, also sad. Still, despite a 5 week Covid bug layoff I still managed 13 days there.
Under the heading of “Current Conditions” just returned from MM. Conditions?!? Depends on when ya ask. Friday (4-23): spring conditions, 90% of the day we lapped 23-Wipe Out still in play. Saturday: wind hold on most lifts, max observed wind of 97 mph on top, the mountain shut down during lunch, stone cold boiler plate ice (dust on crust) around mid mountain unloading stations with occasional wind blown teaser pow pockets, add some corn snow lower down for the complete psycho snow experience, we brought climbing gear so practiced crampon work under the heading of “....make lemonade.” Sunday: Ah....an April surprise of 4-6” new providing my only pow of the season....glorious, couldn’t stop per high wind/snow refills on every run, left for LA at 4pm .....zzzzzz.
Gear Note: new Mantra M6 (2022) absolutely ruled in all above conditions. After consulting with Volkl corporate decided to go with 177 length (6-2/200+, 69 yr). Rips GS but the variable radius allows tight turns on steep and pow. Soul 7’s now in semi retirement.