Mammoth Mountain Founder Dave McCoy Passes Away at 104

Some say the secret to a long and happy life is to find your passion and make it your career. Well that’s exactly what David McCoy did when he founded Mammoth Mountain in 1942, creating one of the great ski destinations in the world. On Saturday, McCoy passed away at the age of 104.

Mammoth announced the news via social media:

McCoy, originally from El Segundo, California, was a former California State Champion in skiing and moved to the Eastern Sierra’s in his teens, where he was a state hydrologist. Following several attempts to create makeshift ski areas throughout the Easter Sierra, he noticed the snow was better at Mammoth and set up a rope tow on the mountain in 1942.

Although there were struggles early on, the eventual success of the ski resort led to a massive development of the area, including the incorporation of Mammoth Lakes, California in 1984. In 2018, Mammoth was one of the three most visited ski resorts, drawing about 1.21 million skiers and boarders

McCoy retired in 2005, but stayed involved in the mountain and ski into his 90’s. Rest in peace, Dave.

Active NorCal

Telling the Stories of Northern California

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