[juicebox gallery_id=”85″]
Words: Nate Deschenes & Binky | Photos: Binky & Matt Clausen
Kicking off its 60th year of operation, Mammoth Mountain’s opening weekend was celebrated with Indian Summer weather and surprisingly fun conditions. With chairs 1, 6 and 3 up and running, the typical single “white ribbon of death” associated with most opening days was absent in leu of a an early holiday present: the mountain was riddled with ribbons, rollers, and of course, a fully operational Unbound Terrain Park. Naturally, riders from far and wide showed up to shred, including the legendary Jamie Lynn and Bryan Iguchi.
Yet, as we all know a weekend in Mammoth bleeds well into the dark hours as both Friday and Saturday night saw the carnage continue.
Our friend Binky was in attendance throughout the weekend to help Mammoth throw down, from first chair to last call in every sense. He gave us the lowdown on what really went down…
Nothing better than the first days at Mammoth after a long, hot summer. This year we want to thank the hard working snowmaking crew at Mammoth who really came through and made it happen. They did a fantastic job, and folks like Iikka Backstrom, Danny Kass, Justin Fronius, Pat Moore, Brandon Davis, Scotty Vine, and so many more got to shred and have a blast. Tyson Kaylor and TJ Dawoud from Mammoth Unbound put in a few towers and jibs up at the top of the terrain park, a nice lil’ table top booter in the middle, followed up by a solid jib line below. The snow held up great, especially considering how many folks came out to shred, party, and start the season off with a bang.
The nights in Mammoth are always ones to remember,that is if you don’t party hard enough! But opening weekend usually brings out the best in the biz: Mammoth staples Danny and The Dingo made it out to play, as well as Mason Aguirre, joined by 30 of his friends for an awesome 26th birthday dinner at the Westin Monache White Bark restaurant. Plus, Mammoth always helps us out with an awesome DJ or two. This year the Underground Bar in the Village had Kilgore and La Riots Friday night, topped off by Shiny Toy Guns and headlined by DJ Z-Trip. Z-Trip killed it- they should have just had him the whole time. I didn’t want it to end. Until next time old friend.
Big thanks to Rusty Gregory, Mammoth Unbound’s Molly Dawoud, Lauren Burke, Tyson Kaylor, Tj Dawoud, Matt Clausen, Tucker from Underground, Glenn Alexander from Snow Making, and all the folks that came out to get their edge in the snow and slide some rails. Good times. Can’t wait to come back. Oh, and a big apology and shout out to the monster energy chicks. Whiskey is a hell of a drug. — Binky
