Mammoth Mountain Ski resort is the place to go snowboarding in the eastern Sierra area of California. It also boasts some of the best snowmaking in the country and allows the mountain to open earlier than some of the other area mountains with a ski season that typically ranges from November to June.
So, whether you are itching to get out on your board early in the season (though watch for bare spots at this time of year and realize it’s mostly made snow so be aware of the snow quality and snow conditions before you go, freshly blown snow can be like molasses) or want to chase the powder on a bluebird day, Mammoth is the place to go.
Mammoth Mountain Ski area stats
Acres of skiable terrain: There are over 3,500 skiable acres including 125 trails
Vertical drop: 3,100 feet of vertical rise
Base elevation: 7,953 feet at the base
Average inches of snow: 400 inches
Tree skiing and riding: Not well known for their tree routes, there are opportunities to get off the groomers around the backside of the mountain and the Dragon’s back area
Top of the mountain: Take the Panorama Gondola at the Dave McCoy building on a scenic gondola ride. It’s a great way to get full views of the mountains around you. Check the weather before you head out, on windy days you can expect lifts and the gondola to stop running.
From the top you will have access to the Cornice Run, which is rather steep and early season can be a bit icy, so if you are not an expert or have a strong ability to tackle that initial drop, maybe don’t go there. I saw a few people just going down that run on their bums because they didn’t anticipate that it would be as challenging as it was. I struggled with the initial drop due to the ice, but was fine for the rest of the run and I consider myself an upper intermediate rider.
Lift tickets (Ikon pass): The Ikon pass is by far the best deal, and you can access the mountain with the base pass (no need for the full deal) otherwise you can expect to pay around $170 per person per day at the height of the season.
Winter season: In Mammoth the snow season starts early thanks to their incredible snow making, so most years you can expect to see a few lifts spinning in the middle of November
Getting to Mammoth Mountain: Distance from Los Angeles – 5 hours
I would recommend flying into Reno and staying either in the town of Mammoth Lakes or June Lake and renting a car. In the town of Mammoth Lakes there is a free shuttle bus that runs, so as long as you can get to Mammoth you will not need a car to get to the mountain, however, there are so many great things to see in that area I would still recommend a rental.
Parking: There are multiple areas to park for free at the mountain, depending on which part of the mountain you want to be at, but in the busy part of the season they fill up fast. There are multiple other parking lots along the road up to the mountain where a shuttle bus runs regularly to take people from their car up to the mountain.
Equipment rentals: There are various locations where you can rent equipment. On the mountain you can get demo equipment based on your skill level and what type of skiing or riding you like to do. For a standard snowboard package (board, bindings, and boots) the costs ranges from $69 for 1 day to $248 for 5 days. You can also get a helmet there (I highly recommend you do, a head injury is nothing to play with) or rent individual pieces of equipment (boots only, board only, etc.).
Ability levels: Mammoth Mountain offers terrain for all skill levels but breaks down their trails in a slightly different way. Instead of calling it “expert terrain” or best for “intermediate skiers and riders” it is broken down as follows:
13% Easiest
27% Slightly Difficult
23% Difficult
24% Very Difficult
13% Extremely Difficult
Where to stay
There are lots of options on where to stay near the mountain. If you don’t have a car, staying in the town of Mammoth Lakes will be your best bet, especially with the free shuttle. There are hotels and hostels available in the area and lots of dining options, a couple breweries and coffee shops for your days off.
If you have a car, staying in June Lake is a great option. It is a 25 minute drive to the mountain, but also boasts a small mountain of its own and the Ikon pass covers both mountains. June Lake is smaller and quieter, with fewer dining options but is a great place if you plan to take a few trips to visit the different hot springs, do a little winter hiking, or just want a quieter vibe.
Where to eat
At Mammoth Mountain there are a variety of dining options at the different base areas. The Main lodge area can get rather busy, especially during peak season, but has the most dining options with a more relaxed place like Tuskers and the Patty Shack or a more high end place like Yodler Restaurant and bar. My favorite spot was eating at the Mill at the base of Chair 2. It was more relaxed with outdoor seating looking up at the mountain and good BBQ.
We had people stopping to chat with us at the Mill, telling us how much they love to just sit and have a beer on the mountain because the vibes are so chill. It was definitely our scene and I highly recommend it.
Concluding Thoughts
Keep in mind Ikon pass holders get 15% off all food, base pass holders get 10%. There are also deals on merchandise and you get a discount on rentals too.
Curious about June Lake and can’t decide if you should stay there or in the town of Mammoth Lakes? Check out my post on visiting June Lake in Winter.
