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
Good!3.8 / 5Nov 05, 2017
RSRyan S.
expert skier
Set in the eastern Sierra Nevada range, Mammoth is quite the spectacle. Having the largest and longest lasting snowpack in recent years, it also boasts challenging steeps, and features a world class terrain park that's the scene of many a ski film park segment. A bit of a commitment to get to but something every skier should experience. Check out... More
Good!3.7 / 5Nov 05, 2017
LILen I.
expert snowboarder
Having the highest elevation on the West Coast, Mammoth has the best snow quality combined with some of the most snowfall accumulation on the west coast. The terrain at Mammoth is varied over 3500 acres and and 2900' from top to bottom, satisfying the spectrum of abilities from beginner to expert. ... More
Superb!4.5 / 5Nov 05, 2017
GTGlenn T.
expert skier
Very long ski season.Average snow in inches 400+Any type of skier can find several places to ski all over the mountain.Any time I go I am never disappointed.Great fishing all year.... More
Superb!5 / 5Oct 11, 2017
HGHenry G.
What can I say? The terrain is so VAST and diverse, plenty of high quality chair lifts. Friendly workers. Friendly snowboarders and a couple aholes. It's the best resort period. Nothing compares to mammoth I was snowboarding July 4th and there were FEET of snow left.
Superb!5 / 5Oct 11, 2017
DSDDarren S D.
Large mtn full of terrain for all levels and skill snow last for ever season go's into summer .from pow days to slushy mash potato days .good food and a great time to visit is anytime you can
Superb!5 / 5Oct 07, 2017
TTThai T.
If you are serious about snow and skiing or riding it and live in southern California, Mammoth is your true local mountain. Sure bear and summit ar closer to LA, but the terrian and size of Mammoth is superior to those two resorts. If you are looking for world class accommodations the village at Mammoth can handle that as well. As a local I use... More
Superb!5 / 5Oct 04, 2017
DDDustin D.
Mammoth Mountain is amazing. I was able to ski there Aug 1st because the winter snow pack lasted till the summer. Not many people can say they have skied in August.
Very Good!4 / 5Sep 01, 2013
SSteven
Mammoth is in the process of becoming a great place for the apres ski. Mammoth is a little inconvenient and spread out at this time. The new managers/owners are doing the right moves toward making the whole ski exerience there better!
Superb!5 / 5Jul 29, 2013
SStephanie
i just plain LOVE mammoth...still small/not crowded (since no major airport..and it is SO inconvenient to get to..which i see as a plus)...it is magnificent...the mountain, and the lakes etc...i love it in the summer too...mountain bike down the mountain...swim/kayak in the lakes...great snow conditions last couple of years...
Very Good!4 / 5Jul 16, 2013
JJoe
This place is huge and offers terrain for all levels of skier and rider. From the Bowls and Chutes at the top to the intermediate rollers in the mid-section of the mountain to the easy groomers at the bottom. Too many lifts to mention here!. All Fast all quiet. Snow pack was 14-18 feet this year. Unbelievable. The climate is great in that it is... More