The Skiers' Guide to Mammoth Mountain

Mammoth Mountain lives up to its name as a truly mammoth ski destination in California. Located in the Eastern Sierra Nevada mountains, this sprawling resort offers a vast expanse of terrain that continues to draw skiers and snowboarders from across the globe. With an impressive overall rating of 4.38/5 from our Snomad community, it's clear why this mountain remains one of California's premier winter destinations.

The resort sits at an impressive altitude range spanning from 2,424m at its base to a lofty 3,369m at the summit, providing one of the longest ski seasons in North America—often stretching well into June. Mammoth boasts 173 runs spread across the mountain, with an efficient network of 16 chairlifts and 3 gondolas to keep skiers moving.

Our users particularly praise Mammoth for its groomed runs (4.61/5), family friendliness (4.45/5), and excellent terrain parks (4.49/5). The resort's size and variety ensure that, as one Snomad user puts it, "you can ski here the whole winter and well into the Spring and not be bored."

Mammoth's 173 runs offer something for every ability level with 26 beginner runs, 83 intermediate trails, and 42 advanced routes. This variety is complemented by an impressive lift system rated 4.48/5 for efficiency by our users.

For beginners, areas around Eagle Lodge provide gentler terrain to build confidence. Intermediate skiers will enjoy the cruisy blues like Solitude, which one user describes as "so wide and open where you can pick up nice speed safely."

Advanced and expert skiers have plenty to explore with Chair 23 being a particular favourite among our community. Guy, an expert snowboarder, recommends "the chutes off the foot-accessed Hemlocks and trees in the Dragons back area." Meanwhile, the mountain's off-piste terrain (4.22/5) and powder zones (4.10/5) receive high praise.

Mammoth is also renowned for its terrain parks (4.49/5), featuring two giant half-pipes and several tall jumps. Brandon, an advanced snowboarder who works at the resort, describes the park as "legendary and great for advanced-expert riders."

Mammoth scores 3.86/5 for eating out, with a variety of options both on and off the mountain. While some users note that mountain dining is "overpriced compared to abroad" with "$20 for a burger," others praise the quality of the food available.

For a unique mountain dining experience, head to the back side of the mountain where you can find what Geoff, an advanced snowboarder, calls "gourmet grilled cheeses for sale" – a popular spot among regular visitors. Another user recommends taking the gondola to the top for more dining options.

The town itself offers a broader range of eateries to suit all tastes and budgets. As Mj, an intermediate skier, suggests: "Stop in bishop (the neighbouring town) for their baked goods and famous sheepherders bread for easy mountain carbs." While Monica, an expert skier, notes that "Apre ski eating options are mediocre and lacking," others find plenty to enjoy in the village and downtown areas.

The après-ski scene at Mammoth Mountain receives a solid 3.80/5 rating from our community. The mountain has been working to enhance its offerings, with several users noting improvements in recent years.

Lorena, a beginner snowboarder, claims "The apres ski parties are one of the absolute best in California," while Mj mentions "bumping DJs that keep the party going even during blizzards!" Canyon Lodge seems to be a focal point for the après scene, with Mina noting that "the mountain is doing a great job bringing it back with dance parties at canyon lodge which are a great time!"

The action typically kicks off around 3pm according to several users, with DJ Wildcat getting special mentions for keeping the energy high. While some feel the après options could be expanded, there's clearly enough happening to satisfy most visitors after a day on the slopes.

Mammoth excels when it comes to family friendliness (4.45/5), making it an ideal destination for skiing households. The resort also scores highly for ski school quality (4.25/5), with many users praising the instructors and teaching methods.

Michal, an advanced skier, shares that "It's very family friendly, their school is excellent with amazing teachers, my daughter loved every minute of her lessons." Another user, Pete, highlights the "outstanding adaptive ski program and snowboarders youth camp for up-and-coming Olympians."

Beyond skiing, families will find plenty of other winter activities to enjoy. As Pete mentions, there's "entertainment, great restaurants, and accommodations unmatched." The town's shuttle service makes getting around with children straightforward, and the variety of terrain ensures that family members of different abilities can all find suitable runs.

Accommodation in Mammoth receives a strong 4.16/5 rating from our users, with options ranging from luxury lodges to more budget-friendly choices. The Mammoth Mountain Village is particularly praised for its convenience, with a gondola providing direct access to the slopes.

John-Michael, an advanced skier, shares: "We stayed in an Airbnb just five minutes from the gondola, which made getting up the mountain super convenient." This accessibility is a common theme in reviews, with many accommodations offering easy access to lifts or the town's shuttle service.

Several users note that lodging can become expensive, especially during peak periods. Sara, an intermediate snowboarder, mentions that "Some of the hotels are nasty and charge way too much," while Glory advises that there are "Lots of places to stay" across different price points. For those on a budget, looking beyond peak times and considering options like Airbnb can help manage costs.

Mammoth Mountain has taken steps toward environmental responsibility, though specific sustainability initiatives receive limited mention in user reviews. The resort's high altitude and natural snowfall reduce reliance on artificial snowmaking compared to lower-elevation resorts, which has inherent environmental benefits.

The town's shuttle system helps reduce the carbon footprint of visitors, though many users note that having a car provides more flexibility. Carolina, an advanced skier, commented that "it is really essential to have a car, I did not find the public transport around the resort particularly useful on occasion."

While Mammoth's remote location means many visitors drive considerable distances to reach it, the resort's long season helps justify the journey from an environmental perspective, as visitors can enjoy more skiing per trip than at resorts with shorter seasons.