Mammoth Mountain

Closed
Vitaliy Landa
SnowPak Local Insider
Vitaliy Landa
Pros
  • One of the longest seasons in the US
  • Large area and terrain for all ability levels
  • Tons of snow
Cons
  • Far from major cities

Overall

4.3

Mammoth Mountain is one of California’s biggest ski areas, with more than 3,500 ac of terrain! It gets tons of snow and has one of the longest seasons in North America – as recently as 2016-17 the lifts kept turning until August! Here you’ll find a modern resort with all the amenities you’d expect, along with a community in Mammoth Lakes which has laid-back, small-town Eastern Sierra vibe. All that acreage includes terrain to suit all ability levels, making it a great destination for families and groups.

Best month to go

January to March

Mammoth has one of the longest seasons in the country but the best time to visit is between January and March. January is the coldest month which is great for the snow, while March is perfect for spring skiing as it's warm during the day yet still rather cold at night. 

FLY TO

Mammoth Yosemite Airport

drive/taxi/uber to

Mammoth Mountain (22 minutes)

Base of Mammoth Mountain (Walk)

  • Village has a range of lodges
  • Variety of dining options in Village
  • Ski-in/ski-out accommodation also available at other bases

Find accommodations around here

Mammoth Lakes (0.50-1 mi)

  • Town adjacent to ski resort
  • Variety of accommodation options from budget hotels to luxury resorts
  • Wide range of dining options

Find accommodations around here

For beginners

Beginners will have plenty of long and wide runs to explore at Mammoth. There are a range of easier runs around the Canyon Lodge base area but those with a bit more experience should try out Road Runner Lower, our favorite run for beginners here. Sitting close the ski area boundary, this trail will give beginners a real "in the woods" feel to it. While it is rated as "slightly more difficult" than the easier runs, there are some sections that can get quite flat and snowboarders might even have to take off their bindings!

For intermediates

With so much terrain at Mammoth, intermediates won't have trouble finding new runs to explore with tons of long and wide runs across the mountain. Our top pick for intermediates would have to be Solitude, a long wide trail that has the perfect pitch and a bit of curve! If that's not enough for you, the backside also serves up a range of blues and even an intermediate rated bowl, Rigley's bowl!

For experts

Advanced and Expert skiers and snowboarders are well catered for at Mammoth with plenty of steep trails, bowls, glades and double black diamond chutes to explore! While there's tons of black pistes to explore, our favorite is Cornice Bowl! For the daredevils, the chutes offer cliffs with falls of a few yards!

Find freshies

Unfortunately, freshies can get tracked out within the first hour of the resort opening, especially during holidays and powder weekends. Avoid the crowds by heading to the back of the mountain to Chair 13 and 14, but you have to be quick as freshies can also get tracked out fast too.

Ditch the crowds

Lifts at the base such as Canyon Express and lower lifts tend to be the most crowded. Lift queues here are usually no more than 10 minutes though sometimes can be more. The best lifts to avoid the crowds is on the back of the mountain on Chair 13 and 14

Non skiers

For the non-skiers, Mammoth offers a range of things to do including tubing, snowmobiling, scenic gondola rides and snowcat tours.

Families

Mammoth Mountain is great for families with a fantastic ski school to get kids learning. The huge lodges are also a great place for meeting up and taking a break. Mammoth also has childcare facilities for the little ones and a range of fun kids activities such as a tubing.

Save up to 33% when you book a Mammoth Mountain package!

View Mammoth Mountain packages

Mammoth Mountain Reviews

Fabulous 4.5 / 5
based on 73 reviews

How well the resort caters for beginner skiers / boarders

Beginners

How well the resort caters for intermediate skiers / boarders?

Intermediates

How well the resort caters for advanced skiers / boarders

Advanced

How accessible and convenient it is to get to this resort from a major destination

Accessibility

Quality of the off-piste terrain

Side/Backcountry

Overall value for money of the resort

Value for money

Quality of lifts, lift speed and lift layout in the resort

Lifts

Quantity and quality of the snow

Snow

How uncrowded is the resort

Uncrowded

Après ski and dining options

Town

Services and facilities e.g. child care, tubing, health care, equipment hire

Facilities

How family friendly is this resort?

Family Friendliness
Superb!4.7 / 5Oct 15, 2021
Mammoth Mountain ReviewsAlan G.
intermediate snowboarder
Mammoth mountain had been the best ski resort I’ve been to, I learned how to ride in mammoth. I love the fact that it goes from beginner to the highest level you can get too. Every single run has something fun to it the people there are amazing !... More
Superb!4.8 / 5Oct 15, 2021
LJLloyd J.
advanced snowboarder
Great mountain. Buy tickets in groups or ahead of time to save money. This mountain gets a ton of snow so it’s amazing during the winter but spring and summer snowboarding is amazing as well.... More
Superb!5 / 5Oct 15, 2021
Mammoth Mountain ReviewsMichael S.
advanced snowboarder
What can I say about Mammoth? More like what can’t I say about it. I can’t stress enough how amazing this place is. The longest season on a consistent basis for California resorts. Miles upon miles of every type of terrain you could possibly desire from any resort. The nightlife is amazing. The food around town is amazing. Amazing local breweries.... More
Very Good!4.2 / 5Oct 15, 2021
NBNicolas B.
expert snowboarder
Great resort, a lot of tracks and lifts. It hadn't snowed for a couple of weeks, but the snow quality was still good. It was not crowded at all Monday to Thursday, but got a lot busier on Thursday.... More
Fabulous!4.4 / 5Oct 11, 2020
Mammoth Mountain ReviewsRyan B.
advanced snowboarder
Mammoth is a great mountain with a variety of terrain and a great park as well! It's a great time for everyone in your group and I always enjoy my trips there. The facilities are top notch as well and not to mention the village area.... More
Very Good!4.2 / 5Sep 07, 2020
Mammoth Mountain ReviewsSam B.
intermediate skier
Beautiful mountain to get solid runs on and a great bar at the base of the mountain. Lots of options for runs! The lift lines are quick and easy and folks are friendly.... More
Fabulous!4.3 / 5Aug 19, 2020
Mammoth Mountain ReviewsIsaac R.
advanced skier
I’ve been going to mammoth with my friends and family since I’m 4 years old (21 years!). I have some of the best memories of my life in mammoth. I still go back every winter and plan on taking my future family there too.... More
Superb!5 / 5Aug 19, 2020
Mammoth Mountain ReviewsJhon A.
beginner snowboarder
It’s a beautiful and wonderful place, amazing facilities to enjoy with family and friends, the view it’s astounding, one of the best experiences of my life, 100% recommended :) you should to visit it... More
Fabulous!4.4 / 5Mar 22, 2020
KPKevin P.
advanced snowboarder
Absolutely great mountain with plenty of trails would absolutely go back again. Trails were long and groomed. Accurately marked and very spacious. The snow was icy on the first day but a pow day the next... More
Superb!4.7 / 5Feb 25, 2020
Mammoth Mountain ReviewsJuju B.
intermediate snowboarder
From orange county i was only on local mountains. After one season, (2 seasons ago) i told myself i could never go back to local. Been on a budget lately but i know if i had an ikon pass i would be up there all season snowboarding and hiking, probably even pick up mountain biking. So much beauty and makes me forget about every stress ive had... More