From left: John Alfonso, 21, Vince Kruse, 18, Kyle Casingal, 18, and John Bunag, 20, all of Arleta, snowboard at Mountain High. Mountain High has successfully been drawing a diverse crowd to what has been traditionally a white, baby-boomer sport. Half of Mountain High’s customers are either Asian, Latino or black, making it the envy of an industry that has talked for years about luring minorities to the slopes -- and largely failed.  (Allen J. Schaben / LAT)

Snowboarder Bryan Ortiz, 19, of Wrightwood, does a back flip high over a jump at Mountain High.  (Allen J. Schaben / LAT)

San Gabriel Academy 8th grade students Brianna Browne, 14, left, and Dakota White, 13, share a laugh before hitting the slopes to snowboard at Mountain High.  (Allen J. Schaben / LAT)

A diverse group of snowboarders and skiers ride the chair lift to the top of Mountain High.  (Allen J. Schaben / LAT)

When Karl Kapuscinski became general manager of Mountain High ski area, the place was near failing. In the decade since, he has spearheaded a turnaround, in large part, by successfully drawing a diverse crowd.  (Allen J. Schaben / LAT)

A snowboarder heads down a scenic slope a low clouds hover in the distance at Mountain High.  (Allen J. Schaben / LAT)

A snowboarder heads down a scenic slope as the moon rises amid a colorful sky and snow-covered tree at Mountain High in Wrightwood.  (Allen J. Schaben / LAT)