June Mountain, CA

Overview

Come here to get away from the crowds of Mammoth and ride the meticulous kickers, pipe, and features (ranked number three Best Park in the nation by Transworld Snowboarding, by the way). June is often overlooked by Los Angeles riders looking for a resort vacation, but June riders revel in the non-tourist vibe.

Speaking of vibe, June was ranked number one in Vibe and Value. Lifties and staff are so nice, you’d think you were back east. It’s hard to tell if they are trained that way, or they just attract and hire a gregarious staff. Everyone is so nice, you’d think they were trying to sell you something. Nice–Time Share, Amway, Come-to-Jesus-Meeting NICE

Pow Pow

June gets less snow than its bigger brother, Mammoth. The lower mountain can be melted and a bit thin on the fringes of the season (think uploading from the parking lot to June Meadows Chalet before strapping or clicking in).

TWS ranked it number two for snow, but with 250 annual inches, that might be a bit optimistic. (Of course if one is comparing the park to places like Bear Mountain, it’s easy to see why this would be exciting.) June does not get the crowds of Mammoth, so it holds the snow much longer. Many come here to get more fresh than a sea breeze.

If the lower mountain is loaded, hit it first. J1 opens at 7:30 a.m. While the other chairs don’t open until 9 a.m. J1 and the surrounding runs offer the steepest sustained lines on the mountain, so get them before they are tracked.

Boogie up to J7 and be in line before 9. The steeps on the face of J7 are short shots but fun. The tree lines beneath are a bit mellow, but can hold pow deep into the day.

Park and Pipe

Even on warm spring days late in the season, the features are manicured with precision. June offers impeccable features for anyone from pro to schmo and the bro in between.

Big Features: Head to the June Mountain Summit off J7, steer left through the Jib Park by riding the ridge. Next drop into Unbound Terrain Park. You will find a dirty line of large kickers and rails with plenty of penalty. This is the signature June Mountain park.

Jib Park: Left from J7 and follow the ridge to Upper Sunrise. You know that terrain park you drew on your folder in high school? This one is better. Creativity is not lacking here

Medium Features. Ride J2 chair and return chair right for Unbound on Mambo. Veer right just before the halfpipe and hit several small kickers. When the trail branches, go left for a line of 20 to 25 foot kickers. J2 is a slow chair and services a solid beginner area, so it stops frequently. Don’t expect to move quickly.

Small Features: Enter Mambo Park the same way you did for the medium hits. Just stay on Mambo and hit the five to seven foot jump line. There are three to four boxes for practice.

Super Pipe: June takes care of their pipe. It’s the easiest feature to find on the mountain—directly under J2.

Local Wisdom

June is sheltered from many of the prevailing winds that blast upper Mammoth. Ride here when upper Mammoth is closed or crowded.

June will often get one third the snow Mammoth does in a storm, but it will track out much more slowly and you won’t wait as long in the lifts.

Get a College Pass for $125