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Mammoth Mountain

Mammoth Mountain

 (: Peter Morning/Mammoth Mountain)

As the name implies, Mammoth Mountain is BIG. Boasting 3,500 skiable acres, there’s enough terrain variety for all levels of skiers, from beginners through extreme skiers, and an efficient lift system to get people to every nook and cranny. Everyone loves to hate on Mammoth’s “Sierra cement,” but if you’ve ever visited California while it’s getting battered by the Pineapple Express, you know that when it snows, it really snows. Besides, heavier snow sticks around longer. Resort laps in June, anyone?
Sure, it’s a bit off the beaten path and a little rough around the edges, but anyone who’s ever lapped Chair 23 after a storm or ridden the Unbound parks when they’re dialed knows it’s best to keep their priorities straight. That’s what Mammoth is all about. — Rick Sorensen

No. 6 in the West: Mammoth Mountain, Calif.
Mammoth Mountain Stats

Annual Snowfall
Acres
Lifts
Trails

400″
3,500
28
150+

Mammoth Mountain Pass Info
Mammoth Mountain is on the Ikon Pass. Ikon Pass holders get unlimited, blackout-free access to the mountain. Ikon Base Pass holders get unlimited, blackout-restricted days.

Trip Planning
Read the SKI editors’ picks on how to spend your time both on and off the slopes at Mammoth Mountain, Calif.

What’s New
Mammoth’s Canyon Express goes from a quad to a six-person, state-of-the-art lift with fully enclosed top and bottom terminals. The new lift will increase uphill capacity by 25 percent. The resort will also unveil one the continent’s longest mountain coasters this season at a reimagined Woolly’s Adventure Summit.
Local favorite The Mill will now be able to serve its delicious BBQ to more skiers this winter. Indoor seating and the outdoor bar space will both double in size, and a new sound system will enhance the live music experience during après.

Travel Tip
If you need to rent or demo skis, try Ski Butlers, which is bringing its rental-delivery service to Mammoth for the first time this season. They’ll come to your hotel or condo, swap out equipment that doesn’t work for you right on the hill, and pick it up when your vacation is over—all for prices comparable to the village rental shops.

Getting There
The new-last-season United flights from L.A., San Francisco, and Denver into Bishop Airport, 45 miles from Mammoth, make it easier than ever to get here. Bishop’s bigger airport means more capacity on flights and fewer weather disruptions.

Off-the-Map Trail
If you’re willing to earn a few, The Hemlocks on Mammoth’s backside harbor some of the best in-bounds, hike-to terrain in the Sierras.

Local Tip
Mammoth is windy. When it starts whipping, stay low. Find some cover and wind-buff stashes in the trees off the Rollercoaster lift or Chair 22.

Dinner Pick
With its vintage ski collection and Nordic-inspired cuisine, Restaurant Skadi is widely considered the hottest table in town.

Local Tip
Skip the long powder day gondola line and ski the backside. Chair 14 offers face access, groomers, and glades.

Best Brewpub
Order a tasting flight of Mammoth Brewing Company’s seasonal ales and pair it with a bite from the eatery’s elaborate pub menu.

Family Activity
Woolly’s Tube Park features six rope tow-served groomed lanes for tubing fun. Slide with the kids or enjoy an adult bevvie on the heated deck.

Local Secret
Skip the weekend crowds at Mammoth and take a day trip north to sister resort June Mountain, where kids 12 and under ski free and the powder lasts all day.
Mammoth Mountain’s Website

 (: Peter Morning/Mammoth Mountain) As the name implies, Mammoth Mountain is BIG. Boasting 3,500 skiable acres, there’s enough terrain variety for all levels of skiers, from beginners through extreme skiers, and an efficient lift system to get people to every nook and cranny. Everyone loves to hate on Mammoth’s “Sierra cement,” but if you’ve ever visited California while it’s getting battered by the Pineapple Express, you know that when it snows, it really snows. Besides, heavier snow sticks around longer. Resort laps in June, anyone? Sure, it’s a bit off the beaten path and a little rough around the edges, but anyone who’s ever lapped Chair 23 after a storm or ridden the Unbound parks when they’re dialed knows it’s best to keep their priorities straight. That’s what Mammoth is all about. — Rick Sorensen No. 6 in the West: Mammoth Mountain, Calif. Mammoth Mountain Stats Annual Snowfall Acres Lifts Trails 400″ 3,500 28 150+ Mammoth Mountain Pass Info Mammoth Mountain is on the Ikon Pass. Ikon Pass holders get unlimited, blackout-free access to the mountain. Ikon Base Pass holders get unlimited, blackout-restricted days. Trip Planning Read the SKI editors’ picks on how to spend your time both on and off the slopes at Mammoth Mountain, Calif. What’s New Mammoth’s Canyon Express goes from a quad to a six-person, state-of-the-art lift with fully enclosed top and bottom terminals. The new lift will increase uphill capacity by 25 percent. The resort will also unveil one the continent’s longest mountain coasters this season at a reimagined Woolly’s Adventure Summit. Local favorite The Mill will now be able to serve its delicious BBQ to more skiers this winter. Indoor seating and the outdoor bar space will both double in size, and a new sound system will enhance the live music experience during après. Travel Tip If you need to rent or demo skis, try Ski Butlers, which is bringing its rental-delivery service to Mammoth for the first time this season. They’ll come to your hotel or condo, swap out equipment that doesn’t work for you right on the hill, and pick it up when your vacation is over—all for prices comparable to the village rental shops. Getting There The new-last-season United flights from L.A., San Francisco, and Denver into Bishop Airport, 45 miles from Mammoth, make it easier than ever to get here. Bishop’s bigger airport means more capacity on flights and fewer weather disruptions. Off-the-Map Trail If you’re willing to earn a few, The Hemlocks on Mammoth’s backside harbor some of the best in-bounds, hike-to terrain in the Sierras. Local Tip Mammoth is windy. When it starts whipping, stay low. Find some cover and wind-buff stashes in the trees off the Rollercoaster lift or Chair 22. Dinner Pick With its vintage ski collection and Nordic-inspired cuisine, Restaurant Skadi is widely considered the hottest table in town. Local Tip Skip the long powder day gondola line and ski the backside. Chair 14 offers face access, groomers, and glades. Best Brewpub Order a tasting flight of Mammoth Brewing Company’s seasonal ales and pair it with a bite from the eatery’s elaborate pub menu. Family Activity Woolly’s Tube Park features six rope tow-served groomed lanes for tubing fun. Slide with the kids or enjoy an adult bevvie on the heated deck. Local Secret Skip the weekend crowds at Mammoth and take a day trip north to sister resort June Mountain, where kids 12 and under ski free and the powder lasts all day. Mammoth Mountain’s Website

Resort Skiing

The Soul of Mammoth

Pack the car the night before, wake at a ridiculous hour, layer long underwear under track pants, then pull away from the world of rustling palm fronds, bougainvillea, and perennial hibiscus flowers before L.A.’s 10 million or so other residents wake up and clog the roads.

Published
Resort Skiing

What is the Pineapple Express?

As the Western US was pounded with snow, and resorts like Mammoth Mountain saw thirteen feet of snow, meteorologists were pointing to the "pineapple express." But what exactly does that mean? Meteorologist Joel Gratz fills us in.

Published
Adventure

From Mammoth, With Love

Skiing editor Kevin Luby flew into Mammoth Mountain, California, last Thursday. Since then, 13 feet of snow have fallen on the Sierras and he is stuck there. Somehow, we don't feel bad for him.

Updated
Resort Skiing

Ghost Town: Bodie

Hike or drive to the ghost town of Bodie, an hour north of Mammoth where it was once the second largest city in California and a thriving gold and silver mining town.

Published
Next