Mammothites awoke to the familiar sound of snowplows, tires crunching on cinder-sprayed ice and, off the beaten path, clumps of new snow flumping to the ground from red firs, whitebark pines, Jeffrey pines and the occasional rooftop.
It was the first true bluebird day of the season, and it could not have been more lovely nor more appropriate.
Mammoth Mountain Ski Area opens for business on Thursday, and plans a big weekend of parties to go along with the skiing and riding.