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Introduction
One of the world's leading ski areas, Mammoth's north-facing slopes spread over one of the biggest ski areas in North America. The resort began in the late 1930s thanks to the efforts of pioneer Dave McCoy, who went on to build Mammoth up to its current global status, attracting more than 1.5 million visitors annually, over 60 years of ownership.
In the last decade McCoy was helped by resort developers Intrawest who took a stake in the resort (recently sold on when Dave retired in 2005, aged 90) and began to build a full resort base village where previously most lodging was down in the town of Mammoth Lakes. A long-planned gondola link to Mammoth Lakes has also been built, cutting out the need for a drive up to the base area car parks.
Mammoth's great snow record means that the ski area offers one of the longest ski seasons in the world, typically opening in the first half of November and staying open into June, although it has reached August in the past.
Although the resort's facilities in terms of the number of shops and restaurants are not quite on the scale of South Lake Tahoe, Aspen or Vail, they are more than adequate, and the ski mountain is certainly a match.
In the last decade McCoy was helped by resort developers Intrawest who took a stake in the resort (recently sold on when Dave retired in 2005, aged 90) and began to build a full resort base village where previously most lodging was down in the town of Mammoth Lakes. A long-planned gondola link to Mammoth Lakes has also been built, cutting out the need for a drive up to the base area car parks.
Mammoth's great snow record means that the ski area offers one of the longest ski seasons in the world, typically opening in the first half of November and staying open into June, although it has reached August in the past.
Although the resort's facilities in terms of the number of shops and restaurants are not quite on the scale of South Lake Tahoe, Aspen or Vail, they are more than adequate, and the ski mountain is certainly a match.
Mountain facts
Resort elevation: 2,424m (7,953ft) (Mammoth resort); 2,377m (7,800ft) (Mammoth Lakes town).
Top elevation: 3,368m (11,050ft).
Base elevation: 2,424m (7,953ft).
Number of lifts: 28.
Number of runs: 150.
Average annual snowfall: 9m (29.5ft).
Where in the world?
Mammoth is located on the eastern edge of California's Sierra Nevada range and to the east of Yosemite National Park (access road closed in winter), inland from a point midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco on North America's west coast.
Hit the slopes
The season runs from mid November until June or later.
With over 1,400 hectares (3,500 acres) of ski terrain, Mammoth's huge ski area offers slopes for all standards. Indeed a quarter of the runs are graded easy, two fifths intermediate and the remaining third or so advanced, with the terrain typically getting steeper the further up you go.
The upper mountain is a Mecca for advanced skiers and boarders, with a swathe of black and the steepest double black diamond trails swooping down into the powder fields below the summit ridge. However there is an easier route down for those who need it, and intermediate skiers can find over a hundred runs to entertain them. Beginners have a special low-priced lift ticket that covers three lifts accessing beginner-only terrain, and there are also low priced introductory offers including lift ticket, tuition and equipment rentals.
The resort's Unbound Terrain Park has built up a worldwide reputation and spawned easier, family-friendly offshoots suitable for those unnerved by superpipes and big jumps.
The resort has spent heavily on mountain improvements in the past decade and is one of only five ski areas on the continent to offer more than 25 chairlifts and gondolas, many of them high-speed versions, with a combined uplift in excess of 50,000 people per hour.
With over 1,400 hectares (3,500 acres) of ski terrain, Mammoth's huge ski area offers slopes for all standards. Indeed a quarter of the runs are graded easy, two fifths intermediate and the remaining third or so advanced, with the terrain typically getting steeper the further up you go.
The upper mountain is a Mecca for advanced skiers and boarders, with a swathe of black and the steepest double black diamond trails swooping down into the powder fields below the summit ridge. However there is an easier route down for those who need it, and intermediate skiers can find over a hundred runs to entertain them. Beginners have a special low-priced lift ticket that covers three lifts accessing beginner-only terrain, and there are also low priced introductory offers including lift ticket, tuition and equipment rentals.
The resort's Unbound Terrain Park has built up a worldwide reputation and spawned easier, family-friendly offshoots suitable for those unnerved by superpipes and big jumps.
The resort has spent heavily on mountain improvements in the past decade and is one of only five ski areas on the continent to offer more than 25 chairlifts and gondolas, many of them high-speed versions, with a combined uplift in excess of 50,000 people per hour.
Beyond the slopes
There's plenty to do in Mammoth besides ski and board. Staying on the snow, thrill-seekers can sign up for Mammoth Snowmobile Adventures with over 120km (75 miles) of trails to explore. At the top of the Panorama gondola, the Top of the Sierra Interpretive Center, which opened in winter 2006/7, educates visitors about the surrounding area and the dynamic nature of the Eastern Sierra. Sleigh rides and dog sledding are also available.
Family fun
Mammoth's family ski facilities begin at the resort's Family Center, located in the Mountain Center at The Village at Mammoth. This state-of-the-art facility, the first of its kind in the ski-resort business, offers a hassle-free experience for guests with children aged between four and 12. Hire and tuition are arranged and the centre then links directly to the Village gondola, which whisks groups up to the ski slopes in six minutes. On the mountain there are special family fun parks, and most terrain suited to family groups is located at the base of the hill.
Non-ski childcare is offered at the resort's Small World Child Care Center from birth to age 12.
Non-ski childcare is offered at the resort's Small World Child Care Center from birth to age 12.
Retail therapy
There are about 20 shops at the base of the ski slopes and in the resort village, with a further 30 or so in Mammoth Lakes below. There's a good range of stores from children's clothing and art galleries to a year-round Christmas shop and a lingerie boutique.
Gallerie Barjur (6201 Minaret Road) sells contemporary Sierra artwork in various mediums, including glasswork, ceramics, bronze and wood sculpture, as well as jewellery. Tonik (6201 Minaret Road) is a funky boutique run by long-time Mammoth locals.
Gallerie Barjur (6201 Minaret Road) sells contemporary Sierra artwork in various mediums, including glasswork, ceramics, bronze and wood sculpture, as well as jewellery. Tonik (6201 Minaret Road) is a funky boutique run by long-time Mammoth locals.
Après ski
Mammoth has a relaxed après-ski scene, which can be buzzing at some venues. Alternatively there is a cinema, shopping, cocktail lounges, dancing or just the opportunity to relax in a spa or sauna.
The ‘Swiss-style' Yodler pub (Main Lodge) is often busy as the ski day ends, offering a party atmosphere. The outdoor patio is good if the sun is shining (as it usually is) and is the best place to try the Yodler's signature dish of fish tacos.
The ‘Swiss-style' Yodler pub (Main Lodge) is often busy as the ski day ends, offering a party atmosphere. The outdoor patio is good if the sun is shining (as it usually is) and is the best place to try the Yodler's signature dish of fish tacos.
Eating out
There are some 50 different places to eat in and around Mammoth, with cuisine ranging from Chinese, gastronomic, Indian, Italian and Japanese to Californian, of course.
The Lakefront Restaurant in the historic, 1920s-built Tamarack Lodge (Lake Mary Road) offers fine California-French dining. The restaurant, featured in Bon Appétit and the Los Angeles Times, employs French chef Frederic Pierrel who uses his classical French training and cooks with regional ingredients.
Families can enjoy dinner with the resort's mammoth mascot, Woolly, every Friday and Saturday night at Talons Restaurant (Eagle Lodge) with a family-style buffet dinner.
The Lakefront Restaurant in the historic, 1920s-built Tamarack Lodge (Lake Mary Road) offers fine California-French dining. The restaurant, featured in Bon Appétit and the Los Angeles Times, employs French chef Frederic Pierrel who uses his classical French training and cooks with regional ingredients.
Families can enjoy dinner with the resort's mammoth mascot, Woolly, every Friday and Saturday night at Talons Restaurant (Eagle Lodge) with a family-style buffet dinner.
Getting around
A free shuttle service is available around the town of Mammoth Lakes day and night. It follows six separate routes linking most key properties and amenities during the daytime and two major routes at night. Taxi services are also available.
Splashing out
The resort hosts snowcat dinners on Friday and Saturday nights. Guests meet at the Mammoth Mountain Inn for a glass of champagne, then climb aboard one of Mammoth's state-of-the-art snowcats for a ride up to Parallax restaurant, located mid-mountain at McCoy Station, for a white-glove served, five-course dinner.
Accommodation
Luxury
Juniper Springs ResortLuxury hotel services, with lodging ranging from studios to three-bedroom condos and town homes, and recently named one of Condé Nast Traveler's top 50 ski resort properties.
4000 Meridian Boulevard
Tel: (760) 924 1102 or 1 800 626 6684 (reservations).
Website: www.mammothmountain.com
Moderate
Mammoth Mountain InnThe original base lodging, refurbished, with a heated pool, cool games room with 40-inch plasma screens, and the village nursery on site.
1 Minaret Road
Tel: (760) 934 2581 or 1 800 626 6684 (reservations).
Website: www.mammothmountain.com
Budget
Travelodge Mammoth LakesAffordable chain hotel 8km (5 miles) from the ski area and in the centre of the resort's shopping and dining district, with indoor hot tub and games room.
54 Sierra Boulevard
Tel: (760) 934 8892 or 1 800 578 7878 (central reservations).
Website: www.travelodge.com
Getting there
Nearest airports: Reno (RNO); San Francisco (SFO); Los Angeles (LAX); Las Vegas (LAS).
Distance to resort: 266km (165 miles); 459km (285 miles); 508km (316 miles); 513km (319 miles).
Driving time: 3 hours; 5 hours 30 minutes; 5 hours; 5 hours 30 minutes.
Distance to resort: 266km (165 miles); 459km (285 miles); 508km (316 miles); 513km (319 miles).
Driving time: 3 hours; 5 hours 30 minutes; 5 hours; 5 hours 30 minutes.
Website
This resort is good for...
Beginners, Families, Après ski, Experts, Environmental awareness, Snow reliability, Snowboarders, Intermediates
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