IT'S ICY AND SLUSHY, BUT IT'S SNOW; THOUSANDS FLOCK TO SKI RESORT.Byline: Bhavna Mistry Daily News Staff Writer Overlooking the Mojave Desert Mojave or Mohave Desert, c.15,000 sq mi (38,850 sq km), region of low, barren mountains and flat valleys, 2,000 to 5,000 ft (610–1,524 m) high, S Calif.; part of the Great Basin of the United States. , the ``new'' Mountain High opened this week, attracting more than 3,000 skiers and snowboarders kicking off the snow season in Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, . With a one-foot base of snow, Mountain High was the first area ski resort to open, hoping to introduce ski enthusiasts to summertime improvements and keep them coming back. ``This is a new way for us to get noticed,'' said Brad Wilson, Marketing Director for Mountain High. ``It allows us to get our message out, that we're very serious.'' The early season opening got the attention of Tom Domizi, 35, of Huntington Beach Huntington Beach, city (1990 pop. 181,519), Orange co., S Calif., on the Pacific coast, across from Santa Catalina Island, in an oil-producing area; inc. 1909. It manufactures aerospace vehicles, aircraft parts, optical instruments, and heat transfer equipment. , who spent last weekend snowboarding snowboarding: see under skiing. snowboarding Sport of sliding downhill over snow on a snowboard, a wide ski ridden in a surfing position. Derived from surfing and influenced also by skateboarding as well as skiing, snowboarding began to burgeon in Colorado, then spent the early part of the week calling resorts around Southern California to find out which local ski areas were open. ``It gives people who have been waiting to ski the opportunity,'' said Domizi, who visits Mountain High regularly about once or twice a week during the season. ``They also give you a special deal for coming early.'' ``I've been to all of them, and this is one of the nicest resorts,'' Domizi added. ``Everyone is really friendly.'' Caree Johnson, 26, of Newport Beach Newport Beach, residential and resort city (1990 pop. 66,643), Orange co., S Calif., on Newport Bay and the Pacific Ocean; inc. 1906. It is a popular seaside resort and yachting center. Manufactures include electrical and medical equipment, computers, boats, and adhesives. was surprised that the resort was open so early. ``I can't believe there is snow here,'' she said. ``Only in Southern California can you come ski and be in 70-degree weather.'' Johnson said that this was her first visit to the resort. ``I had to come,'' said Johnson, who has been a snowboarder snow·board n. A board resembling a small surfboard and equipped with bindings, used for descending snow-covered slopes on one's feet but without ski poles. intr.v. for nine years. ``I wanted to snowboard snow·board n. A board resembling a small surfboard and equipped with bindings, used for descending snow-covered slopes on one's feet but without ski poles. intr.v. bad.'' Although Johnson and Domizi found the snow a little icy and slushy slush·y adj. slush·i·er, slush·i·est 1. Consisting of, covered with, or full of slush. 2. Resembling slush, as in consistency. 3. Revoltingly sentimental; maudlin. See Synonyms at sentimental. , they found their experience worth it. ``We did about five runs,'' Domizi said. ``Then we got a refund for today and will come back later in the season. This resort will be great then.'' Located approximately 43 miles northeast of Palmdale in Angeles National Forest The Angeles National Forest (ANF) was established by executive order on December 20, 1892 as the San Gabriel Timberland Reserve. It covers over 2,600 km² (650,000 acres) and is located in the San Gabriel Mountains of Los Angeles County, just north of the metropolitan area of Los , Mountain High opened Wednesday at 9 a.m. after cold weather in the early part of the week allowed officials to operate their snow-making machines. ``It took us 36 hours of snow making,'' said Wilson, adding that temperatures in the low 20s and low humidity are best suited for the process. ``We're like snow farmers.'' Officials said that the uncertainty of Mother Nature has made Mountain High like other ski resorts rely more on the artificial snow. ``When it's your business, you can't wait for it to fall out of the sky,'' Wilson said. ``It also guarantees you a good season.'' During the summer, officials at Mountain High purchased additional compressors allowing the resort's snow machines to make 30 percent more snow. The purchase came after the resort underwent an ownership change in June and spent the rest of the closed months on improvements worth $2 million. Besides the increase in snow production, officials remodeled restaurants and deck seating, added parking lots, and purchased five new snow Cats to groom the snow. The resort also purchased four shuttle buses which during full season will continually run skiers and riders back and forth from between two mountains Two Mountains was a federal electoral district in Quebec, Canada, that was represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1867 to 1917. It was created by the British North America Act of 1867. . In the future, officials would like to connect the East Mountain and West Mountain with chairlifts and are working with forestry officials to have that project completed. During full season, the resort offers two mountain venues with a top elevation of 8,200 feet and a 1,600-foot drop, 220 acres of skiable terrain, 11 chairlifts and 41 runs. Night skiing Night skiing is the sport of skiing or snowboarding after sundown, offered at many ski resorts and mountains. There are usually electric lights along the piste which allow for better visibility. is also available seven days a week. While the resort is operating off a limited terrain and early season conditions, officials are offering a discounted admission of $20 for adults and $10 for children all day. Night skiing begins at 5 p.m. and is $15 for adults and $10 for children. The resort also offers a snow guarantee. ``They can go try it,'' Wilson said. ``If they're not happy, they can get a voucher to WARRANTY, VOUCHER TO, practice. A warranty is a contract real, annexed to lands and tenements, whereby a man is bound to defend such lands and tenements from another person; and in case of eviction by title paramount, to give him lands of equal value. 2. come back any other day of the season.'' For latest snow information, the number is (760) 249-5808. The Web address is www.mthigh.com for daily ski reports with same-day photos. CAPTION(S): Photo PHOTO Skiers and snowboarders get in line for lift tickets at Mountain High, the first area ski resort to open. Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News |
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