Hey Ski Fam,

There's something about seeing an opening date that changes everything.

One minute it's summer. The next, I'm digging through the garage looking for my ski gloves and checking long-range weather forecasts that probably won't mean much for another three months. 😄

That's exactly what happened this week.

Mammoth Mountain announced its planned opening day for the 2026-27 ski season: Friday, November 13.

Of course, Mother Nature still gets the final vote. But for skiers, this announcement marks the unofficial start of winter.

And I couldn't be more excited.

🎿 One Date Brings the Ski Community Back Together

Every year, the same thing happens.

Within minutes of the announcement, my phone starts buzzing.

"Who's going Opening Weekend?"

"Should we book a condo now?"

"Think we'll get an early storm?"

It's funny how one date can wake up an entire ski community.

Friends who haven't talked about skiing since spring suddenly start planning road trips. Group chats come back to life. Skis come out of storage. Everyone starts dreaming about that first chair.

It feels like seeing an old friend again.

❄️ Opening Day Has Never Been About Perfect Conditions

If you've skied Opening Day before, you already know the deal.

There may only be a handful of runs open, and snowmaking will probably do a lot of the heavy lifting.

Snowmaking will probably do a lot of the heavy lifting.

Some years Mother Nature joins the party early. Other years she likes to keep us waiting.

Honestly, none of that matters very much.

Nobody drives all the way to Mammoth in November expecting waist-deep powder.

We go because it's the first day.

We go because nothing compares to clicking into your skis for the first time after a long summer.

The smile always comes back by the second run.

🏔️ The Countdown Starts Now

Every season I promise myself I'll be ready early.

Every season I somehow find myself scrambling at the last minute.

One glove disappears.

My goggles are somehow in the wrong bag.

My skis still need a tune.

Sound familiar? 😄

If you're smarter than I am, now's the perfect time to get ahead of the rush.

Take your skis in for a tune.

Check your bindings.

Replace those worn-out gloves you've been meaning to retire for two seasons.

And maybe start working on those ski legs before the mountain does it for you.

Your knees will appreciate it.

🚗 Opening Weekend Is More Than Just Skiing

Even if only part of the mountain is open, Opening Weekend has an energy that's hard to explain.

Nobody seems to care how much terrain is open. Everyone is simply happy to be back.

The parking lots are full of smiling faces.

The lift lines feel more like reunions.

Conversations start with, "How was your summer?" and end with, "See you after the next storm."

That's one of my favorite parts of skiing.

The mountains have a way of bringing people together.

🌨️ Every Great Season Starts With Hope

One thing I've learned over the years is never to judge a Sierra winter too early.

I've seen seasons that started slowly become legendary.

I've also seen huge early storms disappear just as quickly.

The mountains always have their own plans.

That's part of the adventure.

Every winter writes a different story.

We just get to enjoy the ride.

✨ The Big Lesson

This announcement isn't really about November 13.

It's about having something to look forward to.

Life gets busy.

Work piles up.

The weeks fly by.

But now there's a date on the calendar reminding us that mountain mornings, fresh snow, and road trips with friends aren't that far away.

Sometimes a little anticipation is exactly what we need.

✨ Winter Proverb

"The best ski seasons don't begin with snow. They begin with something to look forward to." ❄️🎿

💌 Quick Question

Are you planning to ski Mammoth on Opening Weekend, or do you usually wait until more terrain opens?

Hit reply and let me know. I'd love to hear about your Opening Day traditions or your favorite memory from that first weekend back on snow.

Or save this email for when the countdown feels a little shorter. And if you have a ski buddy who's already checking the weather every morning, send this their way.

Something tells me they're already counting the days until first chair. 🎿

— Sasha Everett

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