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I can’t remember the first time I set foot on Mammoth Mountain, California, but it has been a second home to me forever. No matter how long it has been, each time I arrive after the long drive, I get the same welcoming feeling when the crisp smell of the trees greets me, and the fresh snow awaits.
Mammoth Mountain is a towering 11,053-foot mountain with endless possibilities to ski, ranging from the amazing park to the steep runs or tight-knit trees that you have to weave your way through. No matter the conditions, whether it’s knee-deep Sierra cement, light and fluffy snow, or icy and windy, there’s always something new to try and explore, no matter how long you’ve been there. Mammoth’s ski season starts in early November and ends sometime in late May or even early June.
At Mammoth, there are three lodges: Main Lodge at 8,921 feet, Canyon Lodge at 8,342 feet, and Eagle Lodge at 8,095 feet. These lodges all connect through runs and chairlifts. There are 3,500 acres of vastly different terrain to explore and 173 named trails, all ranging in difficulty and landscape. Mammoth has 28 chairlifts, including one from the village to Canyon Lodge, and one from Main Lodge to the summit.
The Sierra Nevada offers some of the most scenic views to date. At the summit of Mammoth, the scene is absolutely breathtaking, with blue sky and faraway mountain peaks, dusted in snow. Being up there is a spectacular connection, like you are one with nature, surrounded by it.
In Mammoth, the most popular runs range from the top of the mountain off of the Summit Gondola. The steep runs are popular with the locals, and people often line up hours beforehand, waiting to get tracks on these runs. My personal favorite run off the top is definitely Paranoids 4. With the challenging traverse to access it and the steep chute down, the soft, forgiving snow is always a reward to ski. While conditions vary depending on the day, the Paranoids are almost always a guarantee for wind-blown powder with a hint of magic.
I first started skiing at the age of two, and after joining the Mammoth Ski Team in 2019, I’ve stayed with this team ever since. Joining the team really allowed for the magic to start and for me to see what a blessing it was to be surrounded by this nature, and all the people who could appreciate its beauty, just like me. Some of my best friends I made in Mammoth and we have made our memories here together. My love of skiing is based not only on the mountain, but on the people that were brought along.
The atmosphere, the air, and the people here at Mammoth are so special. In my opinion, I honestly believe that there is no place on Earth as extraordinary as Mammoth. The skiing and shredding done at Mammoth brings me and everyone I know such joy. It’s an experience I hope everyone is able to experience at least once in their lives. The rush of air when you descend into a steep chute and the feeling of flying when you catch a little air on the way down is something I can only associate with Mammoth. While I’m sure this can happen at every mountain, this one will always be my favorite to ski at and participate in the community at. Mammoth is truly one of the most remarkable places in the world, both to ski at and to make memories with the people you love.
