TRAVEL LOG

Little sister late bloomer

IT got a late start, but June Mountain, the 500-acre Eastern Sierra resort considered the little sister of Mammoth Mountain, opened for the season Jan. 5.

The ski resort, which was set to open Dec. 16, is starting with a base of 4 to 24 inches, as of the Travel section’s deadline Tuesday.

“Not every run is open, but all the lifts are open,” said spokeswoman Dana Vander Houwen. June Mountain has received less snow and has less snow-making ability than Mammoth, which has a 36- to 48-inch base, she said.

Lift tickets at the resort cost $60 for adults; $55 for those 19 to 23; $48 for skiers 13 to 18; $35 for those 7 to 12. Skiers 6 and younger and 80 and older ski free. Info: (888) 586-2686, www.junemountain.com.

-- Mary Forgione

Daily service to Malaysia

STARTING this week, Malaysia Airlines will run a daily flight from Los Angeles to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital.

The country logged 145,094 U.S. tourist arrivals in 2004, which increased to 151,354 in 2005, according to Tourism Malaysia’s website. As travel to Southeast Asia has become more popular, the airline has seen an increase in passengers, spokeswoman Judy Lynes said.

The airline used to fly daily out of LAX but cut back to five flights a week in 2001 after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. It added a sixth flight in October.

The 19-hour flight departs at 11:30 p.m. daily and carries a Web-only rate of $790 round-trip for travel from Tuesday through May 31; other restrictions apply.

Info: (800) 552-9264; www.malaysiaairlines.com.

-- Mary Forgione

Kenya health notice issued

AN outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease Rift Valley fever in Kenya had stricken 32 people and killed 19, as of the Travel section’s deadline Tuesday, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It issued a travelers’ health notice in December.

As of last week, the outbreak was confined to remote parts of northeastern Kenya, especially floodaffected areas of Garissa, including Korakora, Shanta Abak, Shell Gulliet and Shimbirey, according to the CDC. Major tourist areas, including game parks, had not been affected.

Symptoms of the disease may include fever, weakness, back pain and dizziness.

No established treatment exists; patients usually recover within a week. Info: www.cdc.gov/travel/other/2006/rift_valley_fever_kenya.htm.

-- Kathleen Doheny

Globe ban is no snow job

SOME folks call them snow globes; others elevate them to snow domes. But whatever you call the glass or plastic water-filled orbs that “snow” when shaken, don’t plan on packing one in your airline carry-on bag.

Snow globes recently made the Transportation Security Administration’s “permitted and prohibited items” list for violating the 3-ounce liquid limit set by the agency in August, a spokesman said.

“I don’t think it ever became an issue until Christmastime,” spokesman Nico Melendez said.

The solution? Put it in your checked luggage, Melendez said.

-- Mary Forgione

mary.forgione@ latimes.com.