WIND OF CHANGE: Mammoth gets direct flight from LAX

In the age of high fuel prices and horrid air travel, it's rare to hear of excitement originating from the beleaguered airline industry. But on July 14th, Mammoth Mountain, California, announced it will begin offering direct flights from Los Angeles on December 18th. The service will run through the duration of the ski season, ending April 12. Ticket prices are expected to be competitive, running $99 one way, with a special introductory fare of $79. With a flight time of only 65 minutes, Mammoth hopes to open up the resort to more visitors by providing another option to the hectic six-hour drive for Southern Californians, the resort's bread and butter market.

"We started working on this project back in 1998, and identified Horizon Airlines as a partner last year," says Joani Lynch, Mammoth Mountain Communications Director. "We're excited to finally bring it to the public."

Mammoth did have air service back in the late '80s and early '90s, but it failed to make money. But with recent growth of the resort and town, Mammoth sees potential for success this time around.

"Eighty-five to 95 percent of our demographic still comes from Southern California," Lynch adds. "Getting to the resort has always been somewhat of a logistical problem for many, and with the addition of a direct flight, this problem has been eliminated."

With gas prices in California averaging at $4.50 per gallon, and no relief in sight, Horizon hopes to offer competitive prices for travelers who don't want to deal with the hassles or expenses of commuting to the resort.

While resort officials are ecstatic about the news, Mammoth locals welcomed the announcement with mixed emotions, as the days of maintaining a secluded resort seem to be vanishing. But there is an upside for them too. "I wouldn't mind hopping on a plane and getting out of here every once in a while, and I think many people feel the same way," says Silver Chesak of Footloose Sports.

Although the flight will offer easy access in and out of the resort, Chesak says the priority should be on boosting local travel. While Mammoth has decent bus service, it isn't exactly pedestrian friendly, especially in winter when sidewalks are obliterated by huge piles of snow.

"I feel like they are putting the cart before the horse so to speak," Chesak says. "The people with money are going to be able to fly here no problem now. But once they get here, they are going to find an empty village, a place where you still need a car to get around. The infrastructure and mobility within the town itself is where the money and focus of the mountain should be, not on how to get here."