Mammoth Mountain Ski Holidays 2024 2025 | Skiing Mammoth Mountain

Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort

On the Eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada - the loftiest and longest mountain range in the US - Mammoth mountain manages to stand out. Unlike its granite neighbours, it’s part of the Long Caldera “super” volcano and burst to its 11,000ft height in an eruption some 57,000 years ago. But not to worry, experts assure us that that was also the date of the last ever eruption.

All that magma has had little effect on the snow. The ski resort’s founder, a pioneering fellow by the name of McCoy, hand-picked Mammoth because its broad, beautiful north face always seemed to be covered in the stuff. He set up a portable rope tow, which in a decade had turned into a permanent ski lift, Chair One. Today, Chair One (also known as Broadway Express) is a modern, high-speed quad chair lift, and one of 28 lifts on the mountain.

Living up to its name, the Mammoth ski area is hefty in a number of respects, offering up over 3500 skiable acres, a 3100ft vertical and its snowfall measuring 400 inches a year. Mammoth snow storms are legendary for amassing several feet of powder in just hours and have been known to bury entire lifts.

Another area Mammoth has gone big for is its boarding infrastructure. With 11 terrain parks and everything from pro-level features to an achievable 11ft “mini-pipe”, the area’s unparalleled for its offerings for boarders and draws the talented, celebrity riding crowd to show for it.

The resort is spread between three primary base areas: Eagle, Main Lodge and Canyon Lodge. Hotels and the bulk of the resort’s restaurants are also divvied up between the Village further down the hill and the town of Mammoth Lakes a bit further still. Built up lovingly over the years, a recent flood of investment hasn’t diminished the small-town feel of the place. Buses run extensively between each of the bases, and connect the Village to Mammoth Lakes, with many of the resort lodges also offering complimentary shuttles. All this spells a great week of adventure, winding down to the different base stations bathed in California sunshine.

Stats & FAQ

Location: California, USA

Established: 1953

Open: November - June

Downhill: 3500 acres

View our detailed Mammoth Mountain snow forecast or snow report and see all live webcams, piste maps, road and travel maps and lift pass prices. For a picture of historic snow conditions see the snow depths month by month with our Mammoth Mountain snow history.

Nearest Airport & Transfer Time:
Mammoth Yosemite Airport (MMH)	12.5km, 30 mins
Beginner Intermediate Advanced 25% 40% 35%
Top Altitude:	3369m/11,053 feet
Bottom Altitude:	2424m
Resort Altitude:	2424m
Longest run:	3 miles
Slope Orientation:
Vertical Drop:	3100 feet
Skiable Vertical:	945m
Night Skiing:	No
Glacier:	No
Snow Report Top 153cm Base 45cm Forecast 116cm Web Cam
Downhill Runs:	3500 acres
Beginner slopes:	25%
Intermediate:	40%
Advanced slopes:	35%
Lift Pass Price:	$79 -131 (adult per day)
Nearby resorts:

Skiing/BoardingSkiing in Mammoth Mountain

“Find your Mammoth” is something of a local motto because there’s such a variety of terrain on offer that no-one’s “Mammoth”’s the same. Whether you like treeless, panoramic peaks, Alpine bowls, or perfect gladed groomers, there’s all sorts here, with a pretty even split in run difficulty levels to match – which the resort divides helpfully into 6 colour categories, rather than the usual 4 (adding in green-black and blue-black).

While the variety of base stations might first intimidate beginners, armed with a plan and a piste map, you’ll seen see the variety of terrain as a huge opportunity. For an idyllic introduction, take the eagle Express Quad from Eagle and cruise down Sleepy Hollow before moving on to Main Lodge to gain confidence on the green runs off the Discovery Chair. Meanwhile, the School Yard at Canyon will see the wobbliest of beginners soon ready for adventures off on the Panorama Gondola.

For intermediates, the Panorama Gondola is the place to start. Alight at the McCoy mid-station and swap onto to the Facelift Express for a smooth transition down the Saddle Bowl to Stum Alley and lunch at the mini Mill base station. Cloud Nine Express is your lift for relaxing tree-lined trails, or for a challenge head up the Gold Rush Express quad to a good selection of transitional “blue-blacks”, like Quicksilver and Haven’t the Foggiest.

Experts with a penchant for steep and deeps, start with Hangman's Hollow and work your way up to the Paranoid Flats - a scarily steep traverse, with the option to turn onto Phillipe's Couloir (even steeper and even scarier). Mogul fields are in good supply, a favorite being Viva off Chair 22, and the bowls off the top are likewise popular, Dave's and Climax left a lasting impression.

Powder skiing, often replenished overnight by strong winds, is absolute quality here with the very best among the trees beneath Chair 22. Meanwhile, there are endless backcountry possibilities off the back of both Mammoth and nearby June Mountain (covered on a standard lift pass).

While many resorts are rightfully proud of 2 or 3 terrain parks, Mammoth has a mind-boggling 11, of which Unbound Main is the star of the show. It’s worth pitching camp here for an afternoon just to ogle some of the raw talent on show, on features such as one of the world’s few “Super-Duper pipes”. Suitably inspired, pick the right park for your level and get jibbing. There’s even an 11ft mini-pipe for the faint of heart.

Mammoth Mountain Apres Ski

Like its runs, Mammoth’s bars and restaurants are varied as they are interesting, with over 50 in Mammoth Lakes alone. Grab a copy of the resort’s restaurant guide to read up on the range, which caters for vegan, gluten-free and the whole gamut of clientele. Recent additions to Mammoth Lakes include gastro-pub, Mammoth Tavern, where it’s said the oysters rival those in LA. Up in the Village, strong contenders include the Mountainside Grill and the Rei Sushi bar – another LA influence, to be sure. Never fear if you lose track of time knocking back sake cocktails and Tiger beer, a bus has been known to run as late as 1am connecting the Village to Mammoth Lakes.

For a proper knees-up, don’t miss a session at the Swiss-style Yodler at Main Lodge, or in the Village, 53 Kitchen does craft cocktails and American nosh (their happy hour usually runs 3-5 featuring bar snacks and drinks). Stick to Mammoth Lakes if cost-effective drinks are your kettle, where we recommend happy hour at Slocum’s on Main Street and the hip new Rock ‘N’ Bowl, where Ping Pong and foosball, join a DJ and distinctly nightclub vibe.

Families are equally well catered for. For a fun non-skiing activity, check out Woolly’s tube park, head out on a snowmobile trip through the trees or head for the Minaret Vista for dog sledding.

Best time to go

Best time to ski Mammoth Mountain

Best time to visit & ski Mammoth Mountain

The mountains average over 400 inches of snow per year thanks to weather patterns that bring moisture from the Pacific and form storms over the Sierra – depositing their “Sierra sludge” long before they reach Mammoth. This resort is left with fine, dry powder, which winds can often pick up to form a fresh layer the next day.

That’s why this is often one of the first resorts to open each season and has gained a name as one of the world’s best spots for spring skiing. Then there’s the glorious fact that Mammoth is in California, meaning it sees about 300 out of 365 days of that California sunshine annually.

Peak Dates

Frequently hosting the Night of Lights, Christmas in Mammoth Mountain will warm the iciest of cockles.

Whether you’re after fireworks with the family, a sophisticated champagne toast or a DJ- dance fest, spending New Year in Mammoth Mountain will not disappoint.

Bluebird weather and powder aplenty are the makings of a happy Half Term in Mammoth Mountain.

If Easter in Mammoth Mountain this year keeps to tradition, expect Easter egg hunts, a lively parade and live music in the Plaza.

Mammoth Mountain Ski Holidays