The mountain is indeed "Mammoth" with over 3,500
acres of skiable terrain. It packs in 28 lifts, four ski lodges, a
vertical rise of 3,100 feet and an average snowfall of over 33 feet per
year. Winds will often close the top of the mountain with the more
advanced steeps. You can find the most challenging and steepest terrain
under lift 22 which is sheltered from the wind and thus not subject to
the same closings. The Mammoth crowd travels from Los Angeles and San
Diego where it continues its beach party style and attitude. Check out
Tusk's, Yodler or Austria Hof for "apres ski".
Mammoth Mountain Terrain:
Beginners and Intermediates:
This mountain has plenty of terrain for the beginners and
intermediates. Beginners should stay low on the mountain. Taking lifts
to higher elevations may not allow one to find an easy way down. Higher
terrain tends to be more advanced. Trails are well marked and should
not provide any trouble for the intermediate skier. Most intermediate
runs are well groomed. On windy days, you will find more shelter skiing
off of the lifts servicing Eagle Lodge and Canyon Lodge.
Special areas are reserved for young children and "rolling carpet" lift.
Mammoth claims to have 6 "carpets" but I have only seen two.
Rolling carpet near Canyon Lodge
Broadway (blue)
Advanced:
The entire upper part of Mammoth Mountain is advanced terrain. Chair lifts 22 and 23 as well as the Panorama Gondola lead exclusively to advanced terrain.
Stay low on the mountain to avoid the advanced terrain.
Chair lift 23
Paranoid Flats
Chutes:
The best chutes are under lift 23 ("Drop Out") and off of lift 22 on "Lincoln Mountain". Known as the
"Avalanche Chutes", they are steep and provide for a challenging run.
Bonus: Lift 22 never has a line and the ski runs in this area are sheltered from the wind.
Take a hard right (180
degrees) after you get off of lift 22 and your will find that the
entrance is greeted with plenty of warning signs for beginners to turn
back and they should. Respect cliff warning signs in this area.
Taking the first, second and third drop offs to
the skier's left will put you into the "Avalanche Chutes". They are
very steep and a fall here can be disastrous. The routes to the skier's
right if following under the lift are slightly less treacherous.
Following the lift line will lead to cliffs.
Mammoth also has plenty of steep terrain at the top of the mountain
accessible from the top of the Gondola: "Hangman's Hollow", "Climax", "Drop out chutes" and "Wipe Out chutes".
Entrance to Philippe's (Take chair 23 to the top and take a right)
Mammoth management seems adverse to the development of moguls and too
often grooms potentially good mogul runs. "The Acts" (lower lift 22)
and "West Bowl" (skier left of lift 3) are the best mogul runs.
"The Acts" are often groomed on Friday evenings just
before the weekend visitors hit the slopes. Its a crying shame that out
of 3,500 acres of terrain, Mammoth has two and often only one decent
mogul run.
Trees and powder:
If you are trying to find fresh powder after the masses have hit the
slopes, you may be pleased to find some powder in the trees off of lift
12 and 14. Just venture off of the groomed runs and you may be greeted
with some pleasant surprises. The other side of the mountain near chair
9 and 25 provides glades with a more forgiving spacing of trees which
is less steep to accommodate the intermediate skier.
North facing slopes tend to preserver their
powder as it is less likely to melt and refreeze creating the dreaded
"crusty crud".
Of course, crusty snow on South facing slopes (chair 25 and 9) are more likely to soften up first in the afternoon if the day warms up enough.
The 11,000 foot elevation at the top of the mountain
also tends to preserve powder although the volume of weekend skiers
will tend to track it out quickly.
This mountain has three terrain parks with three
half pipes (Mini, Super 450 ft long x 15 ft high and Super-Duper 600ft
long x 18 ft high), 50 jumps, 40 rails, pipes and platforms for all
sorts of tricks. They are enjoyed by boarders and skiers alike.
The main boarder terrain park is located in front
of the Main Lodge and is accessible from the Gondola and lift 6 -
"Thunder Bound Express". Three others are accessible from lift 20, and
a beginner "family fun park" is available from lift 17 - "Schoolyard
Express" at Canyon Lodge.
Mammoth Apres Ski:
Apres Ski at the Main Lodge Base Area:
The most active Apres Ski festivities are at the Mammoth base lodges including my favorite at "Tusk's" in the main lodge.
On a warm sunny day the deck will be full of sun worshipers listening to a live band. As soon as the sun sets below the mountains, all activities move indoors quickly.
Main Lodge
Outdoors deck at the main lodge
Tusks
The Yodler is back!
Last season (2008-2009), the Yodler experimented with a new name, "Cervinia".
It tried to be an upscale restaurant to those who just got off the mountain.
(What were they thinking?)
It is now back as an "Apres Ski" bar with food but without the shot wheel.
Not sure if the original vibe is back or if traditions continue but
we still have good old Yodler stories to tell just like the one below:
I must issue one warning for all of those who may visit Mammoth
Mountain and attend the "Apres Ski" at the Yodler (bar/restaurant) so
that they will not make the same mistake I made. My friends had found
an optimum place to congregate, the bench seats in the pit in front of
the fireplace. I would often look up at the large but innocent looking
cowbell hanging over the fireplace and upon an impulse decided to ring
the bell. Immediately two bar tenders and a member of the wait staff
rushed over to me, surrounded me and proceeded to inform me of the
Yodler's 40 year tradition. I was informed that I must partake in this
tradition, there was no other option. I was escorted to the bar where
there was a "Wheel of Fortune" which I had to spin to determine the
type of shot I was to buy. The wheel landed on Jagermeister. I was then
informed that I either buy a round for all of my friends or a round for
everyone seated at the bar. I bought a round of nine shots for my
friends. I learned my lesson.
Note: The last shuttle from the mountain base to the village and town of
Mammoth Lakes is at 5:30.
If you get stuck, try the hotel shuttle from Mammoth Mountain Inn located steps
away from the Main ski lodge.
Apres Ski at the Canyon Lodge Base Area:
Canyon Lodge has Apres Ski festivities which often include live music.
My favorite is just down the road on Canyon Blvd at the Austria Hof.
They often have live music and a well attended and festive happy hour.
You can rent snowmobiles behind (and to the right)
the Yodler but be sure to call
early to make reservations. The guide led trails were very scenic
with a combination of trails through the forests and open plains and
elevated vistas.
Take the Orange bus line from Mammoth Village (far side of village)
at 9:00am or 12:00 noon to
Tamarack Lodge
for some fine cross country skiing. Bus returns at 9:30, 12:30 and
5:00pm. There are also special full moon tours for cross country skiing
and snow shoeing. The trail is very scenic with both an open lake and
trails through the woods. Tamarack has rental skis and boot and boasts
18 miles of trails.
Call (760)934-5293, Ski center: (760)934-2442
Where To Eat:
Mammoth caters from the high end (Parallax Snowcat (dinner reservation 800-MAMMOTH), Chart House, Nevados (across the street from "The Village"), The Mogul, Whiskey Creek) to the cheap but good Pita Pit (Village).
Noteworthy: The Side Door Cafe and Lulu's in "The Village"
Breakfasts are legendary at the Stove for quantity, quality and cost.
Never have I had a slice of breakfast ham include with my meal that I still rave about.
Village & Shopping:
The town of Mammoth Lakes and Mammoth Village are your best bets for shopping.
There is a gondola which takes you from the Canyon lodge at the base of the mountain to Mammoth Village at an even lower elevation. The Village has plenty of shops and places to eat.
Mammoth Village is also the night life hot-spot.
The town of Mammoth Lakes also has shops and places to eat as well as a grocery store, gas station and all of the amenities of a small town.
Touring around town can be accomplished by bus but you can't beat the
convenience of your own ride. "The Village" is only accessible on foot.
Panoramic Virtual Tour of Mammoth Village
(Five linked panoramic images - best viewed in full screen mode)
Mammoth Night Life:
Mammoth Village at night.
Nightlife in Mammoth centers around the "Village". Some of our
favorites include The "Clocktower" at the Alpenhof Lodge (early
warm-up. Closes at 11:00), "The Auld Dubliner" (Mingle and hang out), Hyde (popular dance and mingle)
and "Whiskey Creek" (DJ Hip-Hop. On the corner of Main and Mineret - they also have a great restaurant).
The Clocktower across the street from the Village in the basement of the Alpenhof Lodge is a great start for the evening.
Dublin's keeps the beer flowing. Live music in back
Hyde before the transition to dance club. Hyde is currently the most popular nightclub in Mammoth so if you want to avoid a line to get in, arrive before 8:30pm.
The Tap Room
Our Mammoth nightlife guide would not be complete unless we mentioned that the Tap Room (on Main near Mineret) is a nice little beer joint which often hosts live bands.
A little known secret even among the regulars to Mammoth, is the bar in Nevados (across the street from Whiskey Creek).
It's a great gourmet restaurant with a great bar on nights when everything else is too crowded.
Mammoth Yosemite Airport: (MMH) Local airport mostly for small private aircraft. Also served by Horizon/Alaska Air from Los Angeles (LAX), San Jose (SJC), Reno (RNO) and San Francisco (SFO).
Airport located on US Hwy 395. Phone: 760-934-3825
US Hwy 395 North to the Mammoth Lakes exit (CA 203 / Minaret Rd.)
Other transportation options:
Pacific Sports Tour - Mammoth weekend bus trips from the OC, LA and "The Valley". (includes accommodations)
Schats's Bakery in the town of Bishop, is a traditional stop on the way home to pick up some food for the ride.
Mammoth Mountain Inn:
located near the Main ski lodge at the base of the mountain. Discounts
for January midweek check-in on Monday or Tuesday. (800)626-6684
Mammoth Creek Inn 866-466-7000, 760-934-6162
663 Old Mammoth Rd., Mammoth Lakes CA 93546
If you are trying to find fresh powder after the masses have hit the
slopes, you may be pleased to find some powder in the trees off of lift
12 and 14. Just venture off of the groomed runs and you may be greeted
with some pleasant surprises. The other side of the mountain near chair
9 and 25 provides glades with a more forgiving spacing of trees which
is less steep to accommodate the intermediate skier.
I must issue one warning for all of those who may visit Mammoth
Mountain and attend the "Apres Ski" at the Yodler (bar/restaurant) so
that they will not make the same mistake I made. My friends had found
an optimum place to congregate, the bench seats in the pit in front of
the fireplace. I would often look up at the large but innocent looking
cowbell hanging over the fireplace and upon an impulse decided to ring
the bell. Immediately two bar tenders and a member of the wait staff
rushed over to me, surrounded me and proceeded to inform me of the
Yodler's 40 year tradition. I was informed that I must partake in this
tradition, there was no other option. I was escorted to the bar where
there was a "Wheel of Fortune" which I had to spin to determine the
type of shot I was to buy. The wheel landed on Jagermeister. I was then
informed that I either buy a round for all of my friends or a round for
everyone seated at the bar. I bought a round of nine shots for my
friends. I learned my lesson.
Austria Hof
Mammoth Village at night.
The Clocktower across the street from the Village in the basement of the Alpenhof Lodge is a great start for the evening.
Dublin's keeps the beer flowing. Live music in back
Hyde before the transition to dance club. Hyde is currently the most popular nightclub in Mammoth so if you want to avoid a line to get in, arrive before 8:30pm.
