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Your jaw will probably drop the first time you drive north on US 395 out of the Crowley Lake Basin. In view is Mammoth Mountain, a 3,500 skiable acre paradise located in California’s Eastern Sierras in the Inyo National Forest. Known for its long seasons (this year, it stayed open until August 6th) and world-class terrain parks, Mammoth attracts everyone from first-timers to experts, from park rats to powder hounds. A few pros even call this vibrant little mountain community home.
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Scoring freshies on a Mammoth powder day takes some practice. Onslaughts of overnight snow usually cause staggered lift openings the next day. Timing is everything. First thing in the morning, head straight to Chair 22 to ski some steep and deep on Lincoln Mountain while patrol still conducts avalanche mitigation at the summit. If you’re lucky, you might even catch local legends Chris Bentchetler or Bernie Rosow dropping some sizable cliffs directly under the lift. Sure, it’s not Squallywood, but the hoots and hollers from the chair electrify the atmosphere. You know it will be an epic day filled with face shots and snow-staches. Once Chair 22 gets tracked out, head over to the Main Lodge side so you’re near when they pop the Top.
My favorite days at Mammoth are when the wind rips and crowds are low. The mountain sees serious wind due to its high altitude and wide-open faces. While this often affects upper mountain lift operations, it can result in a one-of-a-kind experience shredding wind-blown snow. Riders are immersed in pure bliss as they slash and edge their way down Chair 23, floating on a film of smooth sugar and popping off every rock in sight. Mammoth “wind-buff” is addicting – the kind of snow that makes you want to ride until your legs fall off. The brutally windy lift ride is made worth it by the stunning view of the Minarets to your right. And when you realize the wind has erased your tracks once again, calling it a day quickly becomes an afterthought.
Mammoth has undoubtedly changed over the years, especially since being purchased by Alterra Mountain Company in 2017 and even more so since my dad first took me there when I was three. Yet Mammoth still retains a booming sense of individuality. I’ve skied all over the Western US, and no place feels more different than the rest. This is primarily credited to the people behind the scenes. The Mountain Operations team has become the gold standard in the ski industry. Employees are genuinely happy to be out there, snow or shine. Whether it’s a high-five from a liftie, stoke from a ski patroller, or a quick chat with a Mountain Host, there are smiles all around, even when it hasn’t snowed in weeks. There’s no such thing as a bad ski day at Mammoth.
Mountain Stats:
- 3,500 skiable acres
- 25 lifts
- Base elevation: 7,953 ft
- Summit elevation: 11,053 ft
- Average annual snowfall: 400 in
- Terrain: 15% beginner; 48% intermediate; 37% expert
