Mammoth Mountain shuts down June Lake resort; summer plans scaled back, 2012-13 ski season gone

June Mountain Ski Area on Thursday suspended its operations for the foreseeable future, according to a Mammoth Mountain press release as reported in the Mammoth Times.

The Eastern Sierra resort will shut down immediately. Its summer season, set to open on Thursday, was cut down. The 2012-13 winter season will not happen at all, leaving the lifts idle and employees scrambling to find work, according to the Mammoth Times.

June Mountain's website was reduced to one page which reads: "June Mountain is closed for the summer season and will be closed for winter 2012/2013. All summer weddings and special events will proceed as planned. For further information, please contact 1.800.MAMMOTH* or visit MammothMountain.com." There was also a non-workable "read more" link.

“June has operated at an annual deficit each year since its purchase in 1986,” said Gregory in the release.
“It is time to invest some of this subsidy into the analysis and planning required to position the resort for a sustainable future, then secure the approvals and financing required to create it.”

June Mountain Ski Area consists of two mountains, Rainbow Mountain, with an elevation of 10,040 feet, and June Mountain with a peak of 10,090 feet. It has operated with seven ski lifts, two high-speed quads, four doubles, and a people mover.

Elsewhere in the press release provided to the Mammoth Times, communications director Joani Lynch said June was heavily subsidized by Mammoth Mountain.

Mammoth purchased June Mountain in 1986 with the idea of significantly increasing the size of the resort by building new facilities, extending new runs to the June Lake Village, and fostering additional developed ski areas along the San Joaquin Ridge, resulting in a connection between Mammoth and June Mountains, she wrote in the release as reported in the Mammoth Times.

Read the rest of the story here.

The press release detailing the news is below. Facebook notes on June and Mammoth Mountain pages reflect disappointment among skiers and boarders.
The community of June Lake has just over 600 full time residents, according to the 2010 Census. Small mom and pop restaurants and lodges dot the area known as June Lake Loop Road.