Despite the Rough Season for the West, Mammoth Mountain, CA, Records More Snow in 2025-26 than in 2024-25

In a surprising turn of events, Mammoth Mountain, California, recorded more snow in the 2025-26 season than in the 2024-25 season. 297 inches of snow fell on the resort this winter, compared to 286 in 2024-25. This comes as a surprising statistic, given North America’s struggle with snowfall throughout the 2025-26 winter.

• Related: Mammoth Mountain, CA, Announces November 13 Opening Day for 2026-27 Winter

A Solid Season Despite a Poor Winter

The 2025-26 winter throughout much of the continent was defined by warm temperatures, drought, and a lack of snowfall. Resorts across the country delayed openings, operated with patchy terrain, and were unable to open certain parts of their mountains. California was no exception — resorts in the Golden State experienced the same warm weather plaguing the rest of the country. Popular resorts like Palisades Tahoe were forced to delay openings. Even Mammoth was forced to delay its opening. Initially scheduled for November 14, 2026, the resort had to delay by nearly a week, officially opening on November 20. For comparison, last year, the resort kicked off its season on November 15, 2025— five days earlier than the previous year.

Despite Mammoth’s slow start in 2025-26, a strong December that received 73 inches propelled it into a solid season. Early 2026 brought several strong storms, which dropped substantial amounts of snow on the resort. January and February 2026 saw a total of 130 inches, compared to 84 in 2025. Those storms made up for the delayed opening, helping Mammoth to build a healthy mid-season snowpack to finish the season off strong with 11 more inches of snow than the previous year.

Mammoth Mountain officially ended its 2025-26 season on June 7, 2026, giving it a season total of 199 days. The 2o24-25 season was 212 days after a June 15 closing date, despite receiving less snowfall.

While no season in the last three years has come close to the historic 2022-23 season that dropped 715 inches of snow, Mammoth’s strong 2025-26 season comes as a surprise given the region’s struggles. 

• Related: Mammoth Mountain, CA, “Snow Redistribution:” A Dutiful Art on an Absolutely Massive Scale

2024-25 Versus 2025-26

The 2024-25 season, while not perfect, was much better than 2025-26 across North America. Many resorts that struggled in 2025-26 enjoyed better seasons in 2024-25, leading to better conditions and stronger snowpacks.

However, Mammoth was an exception. Despite opening later than it did in 2024-25, the resort recovered thanks to a snowy December and a series of storms moving through the Sierra in January and February. While November 2025 brought just 24 inches of snow compared to 62 inches in November 2024, the mid-season weather is what pushed Mammoth into receiving more snow in the 2025-26 winter.

When most of the country had a stronger 2024-25 season, Mammoth had a stronger 2025-26. 

Inconsistent Snowfall Across the Board

Over the last several decades, Mammoth Mountain has experienced heavy fluctuations in total season snowfall. The 2021-22 season dropped just 260 inches— the second-lowest amount in the last 10 seasons. One season later, in 2022-23, the resort received its highest recorded snowfall total in history. The following 2023-24 season brought 367 inches, which is still a high total, but nearly 35o inches fewer than the season before it.

The wacky snowfall patterns of the previous 10 seasons at Mammoth show how quickly the tides can turn in the Sierra. While the difference between the past two seasons was just 11 inches between the two seasons — much less than the fluctuations surrounding the 2022-23 season — it is still noteworthy given how difficult things were across the continent in 2025-26.

Unpredictable Winters

If the past decade at Mammoth has proven anything, it is that its winters are unpredictable. The resort has bounced between incredible winters and poor winters and everything in between.

With the 11-inch difference between 2024-25 and 2025-26, emphasized by two completely different winters across North America, it is clear that Mammoth winters do not go by the books. With strong El Niño conditions expected in 2026-27, this winter will likely follow suit.

Mammoth currently expects to open for the 2026-27 season on Friday, November 13.