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!

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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!4.1 / 5Nov 17, 2017
RMRaj M.
intermediate snowboarder
Stayed there last season in March for our Spring Break from NC. we flew to LA then to short flight to Mammoth hotel bus picked us up. Stayed at the main lodge. Rooms were not that great but clean... More
Very Good!4.1 / 5Nov 13, 2017
TMThomas M.
advanced skier
Living in Southern California, Mammoth is the only real Mountain within easy driving distance. The airport with connections to SF and LA really Make it accessible from anywhere. The town and the village ate pretty good, but the mountain is awesome. It could just be my familiarity with the mountain, but it's more fun than any other I've ever... More
Superb!4.7 / 5Nov 10, 2017
SCSam C.
advanced skier
Mammoth is a killer mountain with so much open terrain to rip it up. Nothing better than a bluebird day with a foot of fresh pow and Wooly by you side!!! ... More
Average!2.2 / 5Nov 09, 2017
JSJohn S.
advanced skier
no town nightlife - not much cheap lodging, long drive from airport , no real great off piste skiing, needs base lodge music entertainment and apre ski scene - currently there is not much music or entertainment at the base areas. Lift tix are too expensive. Very crowded, usually hideous wind most of the time and they close the best part of the... More
Superb!4.9 / 5Nov 08, 2017
IDIlan D.
expert snowboarder
Mammoth is my favorite mountain I've ever ridden, there's such a variety of terrain there's something for everyone. I personally like steep and deep when the conditions are awesome, but make no mistake when the weather isn't agreeing there's great tree runs at Mammoth, and when it hasn't snowed in a while the parks are always prime! Finally the... More
Fabulous!4.3 / 5Nov 08, 2017
MGMichael G.
advanced snowboarder
Mammoth is more than a mountain, it's a way of life. Once you enter the town all the problems go away. Freedom, peace and equality. The way it should be. Thank you.... More
Fabulous!4.5 / 5Nov 08, 2017
PLPaul L.
expert snowboarder
Mammoth is exactly that -- huge. On most days (excluding holidays, wind hold days and Xmas), it's a joy to ride at. So much varied terrain. Like to ride in the park, check. Groomers, check. Bumps, check. Steep bumps, check. Intermediate, check. The mountain is actually so varied. If you're lucky enough to fly in, it's amazing. Otherwise a 5... More
Superb!4.9 / 5Nov 08, 2017
ASAnthony S.
intermediate snowboarder
This past Winter we stayed at the Village Lodge for several days. Our experience there was nothing but perfect. Although there was a snow storm the staff was very attentive and very accommodating due to the circumstances. I would with out a doubt recommend that lodge, the restaurants in the area, and the slopes for being some of the best in the... More
Fabulous!4.4 / 5Nov 08, 2017
KBKKwangnam (Brian) K.
expert skier
Very nice community and many people want to go skiing every season and also it's open until june or July and also I can go fly fishing after skiing and hot springs around the town.... More
Very Good!4.1 / 5Nov 07, 2017
GTGlenn T.
expert skier
Love this mountain and love this area.Skiing,fishing and golf.....love it.Beautiful sites and wildlife.My son and I love everything about the drive...the adventure....sites and sounds and when we get to Mammoth...... we take a breath........ More