Superb!4.6 / 5Jan 22, 2020
Eric D. advanced skier
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Learn more about Mammoth Mountain
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
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
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
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.
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Mammoth Mountain Reviews
Eric D. Fabulous!4.5 / 5Jan 22, 2020
River O. expert skier
Superb!5 / 5Jan 15, 2020
Curtis J. advanced snowboarder
Fabulous!4.4 / 5Jan 15, 2020
Eric N. expert snowboarder
Fabulous!4.4 / 5Jan 05, 2020
Yekusiel K. advanced snowboarder
Superb!4.8 / 5Dec 02, 2019
Robert S. beginner snowboarder
Superb!4.8 / 5Oct 09, 2019
Alex B. intermediate snowboarder
Superb!5 / 5Sep 26, 2019
Sholom W. intermediate skier
Fabulous!4.5 / 5Sep 26, 2019
Ryan K. expert snowboarder
Superb!4.8 / 5Sep 04, 2019
Jakob K. advanced skier