As a tribute to June Mountain and all the changes that are going on there right now, here are some shots of the late 1970s and early 1980s at the mountain.
We were going to save these until next winter but since June seems to be the topic of conversation at the moment, we figured now is as good a time as any to share them with you all.
June brings back a lot of great memories for everybody. We all know it’s a fun place to ski, but it is also fun to dream of what it really could be.
These are from Randy and Mickey Short’s collection of 35mm slides. They both worked there from 1978-1988 and this collection shows a lot of good memories from that time.
We’ve gone through and tried to identify as many people as we could. If you recognize somebody that we missed, let me know on the Facebook comments and we’ll fill it in.
Also, here is a post we did last winter of the 1960s construction of June.
-Dave
Steve Hayward, Bud’s son, started the night skiing operation there. There was no night life in June so he figured this would be the place to be after dark. A small group of people skied most nights, and a lot of others sat at the bar below and watched.
Night skiing was free with a day lift ticket, and the night ticket was just a few dollars.
by DMC Photo
Dave…thanks for sharing the photos of June, I just now learned that the area is slated to be closed, kinda of sad to hear about this, I had some fantastic times at June, I lived in the basement of Tex’s Sporting Goods with Bill Bohannon and worked on the Hill as a Ski Patrolman back in 1971′ with Jerry Shirley and Eric Burr. I got to witness the first “Wet Tee Shirt Contest” at the Hidleburg which Diane Twilleger won! Next year I headed for Mammoth and worked on the Ski Patrol until 78′….outstanding times! What a place….Tom Highberger, Luther, Montana.
Yes, that is my daughter, Debbie Sebald, in the photo. Her dad, Fred Sebald and I, Pat, worked as Ski Instructors on June Mt. from about 1971 through 1982 as full time and part time employees. Wonderful times for our whole family. Rick and Eric also became fine skiers during the nearly 40 years we lived in our Bavarian Park home near Gull Lake. We had the most Wonderful times of our lives from 1966 through 2004 when our place was sold. Whatever happens to the” Mountain” the neighbors, in June Lake, will be remembered as our friends and happy residents of “Paradise” living in our June Lake home. Thanks, Pat Bauderer Sebald.
We used to have great training for the MMST on J5 during the low snow seasons in the late 80′s (when I was coaching). June made snow there and the kids could lap on the chair. It was so exciting when MMSA purchase June. We couldn’t wait to ski the terrain between the two areas.
MMSA should run June Mountain the way we did in the old days, or let the community do it. It worked for everyone back then and didn’t hurt Mammoth at all.
These are beautiful historic shots and comments add so much to them. I didn’t know about June’s closing. That’s very sad to hear especially knowing so many folks had a lot of fun there. June has given many beautiful memories to a lot of folks.
The town, county and other private sponsors are willing and eager to invest the time and money needed to keep it open, if MMSA will let them.
Great old shots of June and its revelers!
Such sad news about June’s closing this summer and next winter. Sure hope MMSA can re-evaluate and figure out how to open that gem up again in the future.
B. Richter