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!4.6 / 5Jan 22, 2020
Mammoth Mountain ReviewsEric D.
advanced skier
Great place to go if you are from LA SF or Reno and let’s not forget Las Vegas. I drove up 395 to get there and it’s a nice drive from both la and SF! Th skiing is very good ( they have been all types of terrain ) and there are hot springs in the area!... More
Fabulous!4.5 / 5Jan 22, 2020
Mammoth Mountain ReviewsRiver O.
expert skier
Mammoth... what can’t you say about this place? When it’s good is amazing when it’s not so good... it’s still good. Place will have you hoot’n and holler’n with your friends no matter what. From powder days-bluebird groomers-park laps, it couldn’t get any better for a CA resort.beginners have there corners of the mountain, with 4 terrain parks and... More
Superb!5 / 5Jan 15, 2020
Mammoth Mountain ReviewsCurtis J.
advanced snowboarder
Love mammoth!!!! Took my son there for his first time last season blown away. He couldn’t believe how big the mtn was. Has plenty of room for all types of terrain. Snow is perfect after a good dumping . Can’t wait to get back up there this season. Thanks Jansen family... More
Fabulous!4.4 / 5Jan 15, 2020
Mammoth Mountain ReviewsEric N.
expert snowboarder
Mammoth is an awesome Resort very large lots to do eat and see I recommend at least one trip at least.Great Apres skiing and snowboarding. Friendly town and lots to do... More
Fabulous!4.4 / 5Jan 05, 2020
Mammoth Mountain ReviewsYekusiel K.
advanced snowboarder
All time best mountain on the west coast in my opinion. They have an amazing mountain and amazing town. There is enough for anyone at anytime to have a great adventure in mammoth... More
Superb!4.8 / 5Dec 02, 2019
Mammoth Mountain ReviewsRobert S.
beginner snowboarder
Excellent staff who remained patient with my lack of experience. Everyone was very helpful and friendly which means I’m definitely coming back. I highly recommend everyone to take a trip here. It’s well worth the trip!... More
Superb!4.8 / 5Oct 09, 2019
Mammoth Mountain ReviewsAlex B.
intermediate snowboarder
Living in Southern California, mammoth mountain is the best, closet ski resort that provides you with the most value and best experience. With its powder runs and variety of experience runs, nothing could be more perfect!... More
Superb!5 / 5Sep 26, 2019
Mammoth Mountain ReviewsSholom W.
intermediate skier
Best mountain all around! Ikon makes it even better! They get snow really early and usually have pretty consistent conditions. The town is fun and the people there are very friendly and nice. Make the trip, its worth it.... More
Fabulous!4.5 / 5Sep 26, 2019
Mammoth Mountain ReviewsRyan K.
expert snowboarder
Hands down the best resort in California, possibly the country. Great for people of all skill levels. A ton of terrain to ride, and alot to do nearby year round.... More
Superb!4.8 / 5Sep 04, 2019
Mammoth Mountain ReviewsJakob K.
advanced skier
I love Mammoth Mountain. In addition to a great variety of skiable terrain they also have many acres of both gromed slopes and off piste runs available. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. The town is a bit on the sleepy side, but that’s how I like it.... More