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
Very Good!4.2 / 5May 07, 2018
Mammoth Mountain ReviewsJason B.
advanced skier
Mammoth mountain is a great resort a big diversity on the mountain. 3 lodges diski in-and-out of . Spring skin can be pretty fantastic. Great for the family. Having an annual pass is the way to go.shemale... More
Good!3.8 / 5May 01, 2018
Mammoth Mountain ReviewsTrey B.
advanced skier
Great mountain for all ability levels. Big enough to spread out the crowds. Ample on mountain services and amenities. A bit remote from any major airports or cities. Which can be good or bad depending on how you look at it!... More
Superb!4.7 / 5Dec 05, 2017
RSRichard S.
intermediate skier
The best ski mountain in the United States. There is runs for every level. We drive from Arizona to Mammoth at least 12 times a year to get the best runs and snow and customer service. Truly God's Country!... More
Fabulous!4.3 / 5Dec 03, 2017
MMMichael M.
advanced snowboarder
Best mountain in California, hands down. Easy drive, great terrain, huge jumps. People are friendly staff is helpful and when mother nature dumps a healthy amount of deep white fluffy stuff, there's no where I would rather be.... More
Superb!4.9 / 5Dec 03, 2017
JUJustin U.
intermediate snowboarder
Mammoth Mountain is Epic and has is all! With plenty of technical terrain runs through the depths, steep sweeping groomers for intermediate riders and long easy runs for beginners. This place has more than enough variety for everyone. Hit these slopes and start your adventure now.... More
Superb!4.7 / 5Dec 02, 2017
MCMatthew C.
intermediate snowboarder
mammoth is awesome! I did my first year of snowboarding last year. and it was epic !!!!! I'm hoping to go to other resorts as,well. but I will definitely be going to mammoth again this year ! Mammoth has so many good powder days . and view is amazing !!!!!!! ... More
Fabulous!4.3 / 5Nov 24, 2017
DJDaniel J.
expert snowboarder
Mammoth is a go to in CA for many reasons. Very well maintained and taken care of. Killer parks and a wide variety of terrain for everyone. Lots of food and drink options. Long season and lots of snow. The town has some decent lodging options for the budget and tons of fun places to have a good time after riding. Also, lots of great food options.... More
Fabulous!4.3 / 5Nov 23, 2017
VLVitaliy L.
advanced snowboarder
Mammoth is the best resort in Calulifornia. It opens earlier than any other resort and stays opened all the way into the summer, which is the longest season in America. It's very accessible, the town is taking care of the roads really well. The lifts are superb, the Gondola can take you up and down if you don't want to ski, but just want to check... More
Very Good!4.2 / 5Nov 20, 2017
GKGavin K.
advanced skier
Mammoth is one of the places you know you will be returning to season after season. Mammoth provides some of the best skiing in all of the sierras. Fun for all levels... More
Superb!4.8 / 5Nov 17, 2017
CCCody C.
intermediate snowboarder
I have grown up going to this resort and absolutely love it. The employees are awesome, friendly, and help out with any problems. The snow was fantastic last year. The resort is big enough that even on peak holidays it doesn't feel as crowded as some other resorts. Definitely would recommend making the trip up here if can. ... More