Mammoth Mountian Skiing & Snowboarding
Resort Guide
Mammoth has earned a reputation as one of the best ski and snowboard areas in California. As the name suggests, the ski areas is huge, with 3,100’ of vertical drop to match. Spread across the 3,500 skiable acres, there is an amazing array of terrain for skiers and snowboarders of all ability levels. Mammoth Mountain resort sees an average of 400” of annual snowfall. With a summit elevation of 11,053 feet, this snow is often lighter than other California ski and snowboard resorts. All of this powder comes with more than 300 days of sunshine per year, making Mammoth an amazing area to chase powder turns under bluebird California skies. It’s not all about the powder, however, Mammoth has not only great beginner infrastructure, but world-class terrain parks, too. Couple with a nice base area village, Mammoth is a great destination ski and snowboard resort that is also pretty close to Los Angeles.
Mammoth Mountain resort is spread out horizontally with four separate base areas, each of which offer terrain for all ability levels. The lower mountain chairlifts have great groomed runs, and trees, while the upper mountain is more exposed and rocky. The ample sunshine makes the skiing and snowboarding up on the high peaks a ton of fun. All of Mammoth Mountain’s chairlifts are designated by their number, and some have names, too.
Beginner skiers and snowboarders have options all over the mountain, with 25% of Mammoth’s terrain rated for beginners. The Canyon Lodge and Eagle Lodge base areas are the best base areas for those just getting into the sports. Over in the Eagle Lodge area, there are great runs for progression as beginners graduate to the areas intermediate slopes. The Canyon Lodge has more dedicated learning areas.
Intermediate skiers and snowboarders have 40% of the mountain rated for them, giving these riders options that will last longer than their legs. Chair 9 has some great cruiser runs, and fun trees to ride in and out of. This is a nice spot for intermediate skiers and snowboarders to head on a powder day. Chairs 3, 5, and 12 are all fun, too, offering nice and long runs to The Mill and Main Lodge base areas. The Backside gives intermediates the opportunity to experience some of Mammoth's awesome high-alpine skiing.
Advanced and expert skiers and snowboarders will love Mammoth and all the variety of terrain that it offers them. While many advanced riders will want to head straight to Chair 23 and the exposed upper mountain, there is good skiing and snowboarding lower on the mountain, too. These areas, like Chair 22 are good places to head when the sun isn’t out and visibility is poor. The Avalanche Chutes here are fun, with number three being the easiest. Skiers and snowboarders that don’t feel up to the mildly technical entrance can traverse into chute 3 from the Spook run. Chair 23 is perhaps the most famous chair at Mammoth. High above treeline the runs up here are steep, challenging, and a ton of fun on those sunny days. The Panorama Gondola accesses more of this expert terrain, and runs like Huevos Grandes. The Backside and peripheries of the mountain have more advanced and expert terrain that can hold secret powder stashes for longer after storms.
Mammoth Mountain also has some of the best terrain parks in California, and the United States as a whole. These parks have a long history of awesome features, lots of sunshine, and progressing park riding. The spring is an awesome time to check out these terrain parks, when the sun is shining bright and the snow is soft. It’s not uncommon to see some of the best skiers and snowboarders in the world riding here.
Mammoth Mountain is located in the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains in Central California, just outside of Yosemite National Park. Driving, Mammoth is about five hours from Los Angeles and six hours from the San Francisco Bay Area. The drive to Mammoth is incredibly pretty, making for a nice road trip. Mammoth is also serviced by its own airport. Flights from major airlines depart from LAX, SFO, and SAN. Once in Mammoth, there are free busses from the airport and around town, including bus services to each of the four base areas.
Travel Resources:
Travel Directions to Mammoth
Road Conditions
Local buses
Mammoth Mountain is located in the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains in Central California, just outside of Yosemite National Park. Driving, Mammoth is about five hours from Los Angeles and six hours from the San Francisco Bay Area. The drive to Mammoth is incredibly pretty, making for a nice road trip. Mammoth is also serviced by its own airport. Flights from major airlines depart from LAX, SFO, and SAN. Once in Mammoth, there are free busses from the airport and around town, including bus services to each of the four base areas.
Travel Directions to Mammoth
Road Conditions
Local buses
Mammoth Mountain has a great selection of lodging options for all budgets and tastes. There are several slopeside options run by the resort, meaning that there are often lodging and lift ticket packages offered. These are the Mammoth Mountain Inn, Juniper Springs Resort, and Village Lodge. The town of Mammoth Lakes has tons more lodging, including more budget options, from the Motel 6 to the Moderne Hostel.
Mammoth Slopeside Lodging
Moderne Hostel
Moderne Hostel
Our Favorite Snowboards for Mammoth
Local Food Picks
There are plenty of dining options on the mountain and at each of the four different base areas. These restaurants are typical of large ski and snowboard areas, meaning they are pretty expensive. In town, there are restaurants for every taste. Slocums’s is a good casual bar, with happy hour and your typical grill fare. Roberto’s is an awesome spot to get dinner, with big portions and tasty Mexican food, it’s a great way to wrap up a big powder day. For apres ski, The Clocktower Cellar Pub is cool, with a huge selection of whisky, and Mammoth Brewing Company is a hot spot with great craft beer.On Mountain Dining
Slocum's
Roberto's
Clocktower Cellar
Mammoth Brewing Company
Our Favorite Skis For Mammoth
Where to Find Lift Tickets to Mammoth?
Mammoth Mountain lift tickets are comparable to other large ski and snowboard areas across the western United States. This means they aren’t cheap, however, they’re definitely worth it. Buying tickets online at least seven days in advance can help save up to 20% on Mammoth lift tickets. Skiers and snowboarders can reload their lift card online and head straight to the lifts. Children, youth, and seniors are all eligible for discount Mammoth lift tickets, too.Mammoth Conditions & Weather Information
It snows a lot at Mammoth Mountain. The average annual snowfall here is 400”, which is quite a bit. When storms come to Mammoth, the snowfall is often measured in feet rather than inches. In other words, when it’s good at Mammoth, it’s really good. Coupled with 300+ days of sunshine a year, the weather at Mammoth is hard to beat.Mammoth Ski Report
Mammoth Storm Tracker
Avalanche Forecast
For fun skiing and snowboarding just two hours from Los Angeles and Orange County, Bear Mountain and Snow Summit are a no brainer; they’re less than half of the distance to the mountain than Mammoth. Beginner and intermediate skiers will love theses mountains, while terrain park riders will be in heaven.
