SAM Magazine-Mammoth Mountain, Calif., Nov. 3, 2008-Skiers and snowboarders took the slopes Monday morning as Mammoth Mountain officially kicked off the 2008-09 winter season, 10 days prior to its scheduled opening.

A powerful storm hit the area over the weekend, dropping up to 18 inches of snow. On Monday morning hundreds of skiers and riders racked up their first runs of the season on a base of 6 to12 inches of manmade and natural snow. More snow is in the forecast, as another storm is poised to hit Mammoth in the next 24 hours. Additional terrain is expected to open once the storm clears.

Early season lift tickets are priced at $52 for adult, $39 for teens and $26 for children and seniors. \