Braving Mammoth Mountain By Ringo Boitano
Photographs courtesy of Mammoth Mountain
here was a look of horror on his face. I easily had 30 pounds on him,
and probably the same in years. A collision would certainly be of greater
harm to him than to me. For just a fraction of a second our eyes met.
He then made a perfect Stem Christie to the safety of the hill on my
left. I did my best to stay vertical, but then took an embarrassing
spill under watchful eyes. As I caught my breath, I looked up at the
towering mountain with skiers above me. I remembered what a friend had
told me earlier, “If it’s been that long since you last skied,
then a beginner’s ski class is advised.” That beginner’s
class would begin tomorrow.
Mammoth Mountain Ski Area
Located in the heart of the Eastern Sierra mountain
range, Mammoth Mountain is a mere five hour drive from Los Angeles,
and seven from San
Diego. There's also air service from both. The highest ski resort
in California, Mammoth Mountain has been enticing skiers (and now snowboarders)
since the first ski lift was built in 1955. With more than 3,500 skiable
acres and over 400 inches of snow per year, it has one of the longest
ski seasons in North America, generally from November into June. It's
an all-skiers' resort with terrain ranging from gentle groomed runs
to steep chutes, as well as tree-lined cross-country skiing, snowmobiling
and luxury snowcat tours. A literal highpoint is the Panorama gondola,
the highest lift-serviced peak in California, which transports you to
11,053 feet for breathtaking panoramic views. The new RFID Life Pass
offers direct-to-lift access where you can re-load your lift tickets
online or via your smartphone, combating the problem of long lift and
ticket lines. A wide range of accommodations are available that includes
luxury homes, fully-equipped condominiums, lodges and budget-friendly
motels.
Mammoth Mountain Ski School
As I joined the ranks of beginning skiers the monkey
wrench tightening in my gut made me wonder if I had made the right decision.
I was never good at group instruction and the boot camp sequences from
Full Metal Jacket came to mind. Before I could duck out, we were
approached by our AASI/PSIA certified instructor. After formal introductions,
he proceeded to tell us a couple of jokes and we were immediately in
laughter – and, most importantly, relaxed. We started with the
most basic of instructions. With a strong emphasis on safety, he made
us understand that we were always in control of our actions. An hour
later we were taking baby runs down the hill. "The better you get,
the more fun you'll have," smiled the instructor The group lesson
proved to be an easy social gathering, making friends with other students.
At the end of the day it was obvious why the ski school is consistently
rated one of the finest in North America. I couldn’t wait to hit
the slopes the next morning.
But first it was important that I get an objective overview
of Mammoth's après-ski pleasures, represented in Mammoth Village's
plethora of restaurants and bars, many offering live entertainment.
It would also be a good time to review my ski safety tips:
WEAR LAYERED CLOTHING: Pack a shirt, sweater and jacket,
adding or removing articles as needed.
WEAR SUNGLASSES & USE SUNSCREEN: You need protection
from damaging rays reflecting off the glaring white snow.
WEAR A SKI HELMET: Yes, they look ridiculous, but wearing
one might be the difference between life and death.
KNOW THE SKI CONDITIONS: Ice and deep powder are more
dangerous than manicured terrain, so adjust your skiing style accordingly.
START SLOW & EASY: Let you body adjust to the altitude,
and protect unconditioned muscles by taking easier runs for the first
few hours.
BEWARE OF ALTITUDE SICKNESS: Know the symptoms –
headache, weakness, nausea, confusion, and shortness of breath.
BE CAREFUL IN THE AFTERNOON: Most injuries occur late
in the day when you’re tired and slow to react, and the sinking
sun sends confusing shadows across the snow.
USE ICE, NOT HEAT: For minor muscle pull or strain use
ice to reduce swelling and ease pain.
WAIT FOR THE SKI PATROL: If you’re hurt you can
make an injury worse by trying to get down the mountain yourself.
DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL: It slows reaction time and leads
to accidents. Wait until the day is over to enjoy a drink.
I love Ringo's piece on historic hotels. I once stayed
at the Laurentian in Montreal - is it still around, is it historic?
And then there was the Heups in Bismark.
It is interesting that two of your entries are in CANADA.
Brent, Seattle, WA
It's no mystery that you are great at what you do.
Sandee, Seattle, WA
* * * *
The Mystery on the Oasis pics are very funny!
Ramon, Kansas City, MO
* * * *
Ha ha ha ha ha...love your "schtick" Ringo!!
Dolly, Las Vegas, NV
Hello the travelling Boitano's hope you enjoy. Best
wishes.
My Irish roots understand terrible beauty. So do my
human roots. The concept has such a ring of truth to it, doesn't it?
Great article, Ringo. I hope to get to Ireland eventually, and thanks
for blazing the trail!
Sandeee Bleu, Seattle, WA
* * * *
No wonder I've been hearing all these wonderful stories
about Ireland. I used to think that it was just for Irish Americans
seeking their ancestral roots but your article seems to call out to
the non-Irish like me. Fascinating and intriguing.
Peter Paul, Pasadena, CA
Thanks for this great post wow... it's very wonderful.
Key Logger, New York
* * * *
Lets not forget that the Marriot Harbor Beach is within
walking distance to the world famous Elbo Room - Fort Lauderdale's oldest
bar.
Jeff, Fort Lauderdale, FL
* * * *
Jeff–
Thanks for taking the time
for the message and reminder. Indeed, I had a quick drink at the Elbo
Room. My trip to Ft. Lauderdale would not have been complete without
a visit to this historic institution.I have been reading about it for
years, and was not disappointed. It felt like a real local's hangout.
- Ringo
Ringo,
I
thoroughly enjoyed your article about Dick and Liz. I remember seeing
that article back in the heyday of Life Magazine.
To remember the "behind-the-scenes" stories
like that makes you genuine fan of the 60's. The famous couple's turbulent
relationship was just a precursor of today's headline-grabbing media
stars like Britney Spears and her colleagues. Life was simpler then.
The paparazzis still had some sense of decency. You "coulda"
been a good paparazzi. I say "coulda" because you kept this
to yourself all these many years.
Looking forward to other media trivia you can remember.
Peter Paul, South Pasadena, CA
Hey, Ringo –
Enjoyed your article on Antarctica --- cool photos,
too. One thing, you mentioned that Ushuaia in Argentina is considered
the most southern city in the world. I read that Chile lays claim to
that distinction, with Punta Arenas, the southernmost city in the world.
Mick, Greenbay, WI
* * * *
Mick –
Now that football season is
over --- I’ve often wondered what you Packer fans did in the off
season ---- it’s great that you took the time to visit TravelingBoy.
Great question, unlike my older brother, I adore all lamb products,
and Patagonian Lamb --- cooked in a restricted area at the restaurant
in an opened wood-fueled fire pit --- is amazing. The chef actually
uses an ax to carve it. Frankly, I found it superior to Norwegian fjord
lamb, Irish Burren lamb and even those much esteemed creatures down
in New Zealand. The crab in Ushuaia is the other thing to eat. Wait
a sec, you asked about Punta Arenas vs. Ushuaia as the furthermost city
in the world. Well, they both have little disclaimers re populations
--- you know, what’s a city, which one is a town, ect – so
better let Chile and Argentina brass it out. They seem to be able to
argue about any subject.
- Ringo
Three Musical Pilgrimages: Mozart, Grieg and Hendrix
Johann Chrysostom Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 - 1791)
could read and compose music, plus play the violin and piano, when he was
five years old. Born into a musical family in Salzburg, Austria (then the
Holy Roman Empire), he had a unique ability for imitating music, which first
became evident when he recited a musical piece by simply observing his father
conducting a lesson to his older sister. This led to a childhood on the
road, where the young prodigy performed before many of the royal courts
of Europe.
Treasures of Ireland: The Irish Goodbye (Dispatch
#20)
The Palladian Traveler brings to a close his 20-part
series on the Emerald Isle from an upscale restaurant in downtown Dublin
where he files his final dispatch and then quietly slips away.
Two "MUST SEE" Truly Spectacular Places
in Europe. Here's Why.
The Han Grotto and Culzean Castle. As the name
of my Traveling Boy feature is "Travel With a Difference," it's
important to me to always bring you offbeat and unusual tourist places around
the world you may not know about. These two fit that category to a T, and
they're absolutely worth a visit. One's in Scotland and one's in Belgium.
Culzean (pronounced CULLANE) Castle is located near Maybole, Carrick, on
the Ayrshire coast of Scotland.
Highway 49 Revisited: Exploring California's
Gold Country
In the 1840s, the population of California was only
14,000, but by 1850 more than 100,000 settlers and adventurers had arrived
from all over the world – and they came for one reason: gold. James
Marshall had discovered the first gold nugget at Sutter’s Mill in El
Dorado County, creating the largest gold rush in history.
Lake Charles’ Family-Size Low-Key Mardi Gras
The Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras in Lake Charles,
the second largest in Louisiana, does not need parents there to avert their
children’s eyes. This is family entertainment and children are very
much part of it. The main office of the Lake Charles CVB has costumes from
last year’s Mardi Gras but it also has figures to fascinate little
ones from country boys fishing for their dinner to alligators who have already
fed and are rubbing their stomachs.
Puerto Vallarta: Magic and Mayhem on the Malecon
So I heard that you could spend from dawn to dusk on
the Malecon in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and never get bored and I thought,
"Okay, I'm up for that challenge." Well, maybe not the dawn part
– I'm not a morning person – so I had no problem leaving those
early hours to the joggers and those seeking an early start to catch their
red snapper for dinner.
Relaxing at The Inn at Laguna Beach
There is nothing like sleeping in an ocean-front room
and awakening to the sounds of waves crashing against the sand. It is
one of the finer things in life. And it is exactly what I experienced
recently on a memorable getaway to The Inn at Laguna Beach. The adventure
began when a friend I pulled off the 5 Freeway in Orange County and took
SR 133 south nine miles through winding lush hills and wilderness areas
to the ocean.
Tim Robbins On His Road To Stardom
Award-winning Tim Robbins began his career on episodic
television. Robbins' film work, however, is what catapulted him into becoming
a major movie star including "Bull Durham" and "Mystic
River" for which he won multiple awards. Equally at home behind the
camera, he directed the riveting "Dead Man Walking." He is Founder
and Artistic Director of The Actors' Gang, which he formed thirty-five
years ago and has directed multiple provocative productions.
Tahiti and Her Islands
Just their names (pronounce each vowel!) conjure up romantic
images: Tahiti Nui, Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine, Ra'iatea, Taha'a. Her
people are gentle; the air, tiare-perfumed. Warm lagoons, majestic peaks,
tropical fruits from the land and bounty from the sea all tantalize the
senses. Paradise! As near as can be found on planet earth. And, in my
experience, the finest way to explore her is on a ship designed for that
single purpose.
Leviticus 20:13 Sent by Tom of Pasadena,
CA
It all makes sense now. Gay marriage and marijuana
was legalized in the last election. Leviticus 20:13 states
"If a man lays with another man, he should be stoned..." We've
been interpreting it wrong all these years!
here was a look of horror on his face. I easily had 30 pounds on him,
and probably the same in years. A collision would certainly be of greater
harm to him than to me. For just a fraction of a second our eyes met.
He then made a perfect Stem Christie to the safety of the hill on my
left. I did my best to stay vertical, but then took an embarrassing
spill under watchful eyes. As I caught my breath, I looked up at the
towering mountain with skiers above me. I remembered what a friend had
told me earlier, “If it’s been that long since you last skied,
then a beginner’s ski class is advised.” That beginner’s
class would begin tomorrow.
