Superb!5 / 5Jun 26, 2013
AAllan
This is a large mountain and there is never a wait in lift lines. It is also a challenge to ski some of the black slopesBuild your Mammoth Mountain Ski Trip
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
Superb!5 / 5Jun 19, 2013
MMichelle
I think that Mammoth has the best combination of great snow and terrain. Lots to do and easy to challenge yourself. There are tons of runs to chose from at all levels so if you go with a group, everyone can find something they like from beginner to advanced. The snow is consistently good or good enough. It's rare that I'm disappointed with the... MoreSuperb!5 / 5Mar 14, 2013
EEric
DUE TO THE MANY RUNS AND THE AMOUNT OF SNOW FALL, THE CONDITIONS STAY EXTRMLY GREAR THROUGH MAY AND JUNE. I WAS JUST THERE LAST WEEKEND AND THE HAD JUST HAD A SNOW FALL, AND WERE EXPECTING MORE AND WITH A BASE OF 13 FEET ITS GREAT TO KNOW THERE ARE PLANNING TO STAY OPEN TILL JULY 4Superb!5 / 5Jan 18, 2013
EEarl
It has the greatest range of terrain, almost always decent to great snow, and the town and lodging options are varied enough in price and style to suit our needs.Very Good!4 / 5Jan 18, 2013
SSui
It was a tough choice. It was a toss up between Whistler and Mammoth.Superb!5 / 5Aug 11, 2012
MMichele
We have been skiing at Mammoth for the past 30 years and it is our favorite! It's a huge mountain, lots of varied terrain and consistent great snow. The ski school is excellent and there are lots of amenities at the resort. We love the small town ambiance and the friendly people who live in Mammoth. It's great for families and singles and has many... MoreSuperb!5 / 5Jan 04, 2012
CClaire
Mammoth is such a great mountain ski resort. The resort is so accessible by shuttle from the lodging area. i love the village, there are shops and night life is great.Very Good!4 / 5Dec 27, 2009
WWendy
Mammoth has many skiiable acres, good vertical drop, natural beauty and great terrain parks.Superb!5 / 5May 29, 2009
EEric
Mammoth is on an epic scale that speaks for itself once your there. It offers a vast terrian for all to enjoy.Superb!5 / 5Apr 13, 2008
JJody
Have been decent at times. I haven't been to many of the resorts on the list...so ti's hard to rate against others.