Local mountains got a ton of snowfall last week – just in time for skiers and snowboarders to hit the slopes for the holiday weekend.

Reporter Kelli Hart Kehler went up to Bear Mountain to check out the conditions, while I got up at 5 a.m. for the six hour drive north to Mammoth Mountain.

CLICK ON THE IMAGE FOR MORE FROM BEAR AND MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN

Here’s a bit from the story of how the mountains were looking: 

Southern California’s ski resorts received a generous dumping of snow last week, blowing in a flurry of skiers and snowboarders for the holiday weekend and a positive economic outlook for the remainder of the season.

Big Bear Mountain Resorts, a shorter trek for Orange County visitors, is benefitting from recent snowfall ranging between 14 and 16 inches – a bounty this destination hasn’t seen since before Christmas.

“We’re bouncing back this weekend,” said Bear Mountain General Manager Brent Tregaskis, noting that a lull from Christmas through January resulted in fewer visits and the need to generate manmade snow.

Now, in what first looked like a drier-than-normal snow season, the resort is back on track.

“We don’t anticipate needing to make snow anymore this year,” he said.

At Mammoth Mountain, skiers and snowboards headed up for President’s Day weekend – perfect timing to enjoy stellar snow conditions from the recent storm that dumped 27 inches on the slopes.

The Ibelle family makes the six-hour trek north each year from Aliso Viejo. With the kids off from school for the week, the family got up to the mountain for the first time.

“We’re stoked, it’s awesome,” said Robbie Ibelle, who brought his wife and four kids with him. “We’re just excited to be here and have family time.”

The snow was packed but soft and light, with great coverage over the entire mountain. Mammoth has the most snow cover they have had all season, with 100 percent of the mountain open. The crowds were thick with those who have been waiting for fun conditions.

READ THE FULLS STORY HERE.

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