UCSD’s Ski and Board Team took on Mammoth Mountain April 3 through 6 for the first Spring practice session! Despite a long, late night of driving, the team pushed through bright and early the next morning. The mountain was supposed to be quite cold, making the group more reluctant to get onto the slopes. Thankfully, we were met with some unexpected California sunshine and had a great day. The group lapped on Chair 5 and Chair 3 while the park goers hit Unbound all day long. Since it’s now officially spring skiing, the snow was much softer and more playful than hardpack for the park folk, most of whom were riding dull skis. Everybody hit a few calm warmups to jog the gears before heading to the gondola to hit some of the runs up there. The day of skiing was complete before we knew it, with our legs feeling like noodles from ripping all day long!

On Saturday, we got the whole team together and on the mountain for the first chair. Despite the soreness from Friday, everyone jumped out of bed to attack the slopes. The temperature had hiked up to the 40s, giving us a wonderful day reminiscent more of a San Diego beach than Mammoth Mountain! Skiing from open till close, the adrenaline didn’t stop pumping through our veins.

Sunday kept the momentum going! The last day was a wonderful cooldown after a weekend full of surprisingly great conditions. Everyone went home that evening with a smile on their face, ready to be back for our fourth and final trip to Mammoth this season!