Where to Eat in Mammoth: The Breakfast Club
The best breakfast spot in town.
(: 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
The best breakfast spot in town.
A BBQ place in downtown Mammoth.
The best food you'll ever find inside a gas station.
An adorable bed and breakfast that your girlfriend will love.
Book a ski-and-stay package at Mammoth's Westin, which is walking distance to the gondola, and get a $20 tab for après ski drinks.
Located at June Mountain, 20 miles north of Mammoth.
The closest hotel to the ski area.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger hit the slopes at Mammoth this week to participate in an after-school event for children. If we could spend a day skiing with the Austrian Governator, here's what we'd ask him.
Skiers are spending less and searching for better values—forcing ski resorts to compete harder than ever. Could the economic downturn have an upside for skiing?
Explore open bowls and unmapped trails inside the resort, then dive into untamed descents just beyond the ropes. Your next big adventure is...
A single-day lesson always helps, but to truly transform your skiing takes a commitment of time and energy. Here are our favorite multi-day immersion clinics that will finally take you to the next level. From Vail to Vermont, the list includes a resort near you.
Mammoth Mountain offers the perfect setting to master the art of moguls.
In response to the second earliest season on record, Mammoth Mountain offers free skiing this Friday for opening day. If you live on the other coast, Sunday River, the first resort in the East opened today.
Mind blowing features for the tall-t set.
You go to jail. Suddenly, paying $92 for a lift ticket doesn’t seem so bad.
For the practiced ski-town scavenger, nourishment doesn’t cost much.
Find everything from the October issue here: the Top 50 Resort Guide, Look-at-Me Luxury Gear, Revelstoke, and more.
Ranked by the readers of Skiing Magazine.
Check out The Editors's author page.
Check out The Editors's author page.
Check out The Editors's author page.
Check out The Editors's author page.
Check out The Editors's author page.
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