Feb. 29--The first snow of the season came early for Mountain High, but fresh powder didn't stick around long enough to keep the ski resort open through March.
The ski area, about 80 miles northeast of Los Angeles, closed Sunday because of warm weather and won't reopen until new snow falls. The Wrightwood resort said it expects new snow to hit Southern California around March 10 or 11.
"A stormy March is somewhat typical of El Ni and the long-range weather forecast shows a change towards a more active pattern," Mountain High said in a statement.
Spring skiing conditions already hit many California resorts earlier this month. Temperatures are expected to reach the upper 60s at Bear Mountain and Snow Summit resorts in Big Bear.
Those ski areas have a thicker blanket of snow, and the weather drops enough overnight to make enough snow to last the week.
Mountain High, which typically closes mid-April, called the closure a "break in the action," but insisted the season isn't over yet. Temperatures are expected to drop to the low 50s this weekend through early next week, according to the National Weather Service.
"Toward the end of the week, we do expect snow to fall at the resort," said Robbie Munroe, meteorologist with the weather service. "We'll see rain and high-mountain snow starting Saturday evening, with snow showers at resort level Sunday and lasting into Monday."
Like many California ski areas, Mountain High saw a boost in sales over the holiday season thanks to El Nitorms. Officials said "the outlook is still very good" for a late winter and long spring ski and snowboard season.
"So keep your fingers crossed," the resort said.
sarah.parvini@latimes.com
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