Industry News
Located in the heart of California’s Sierra Nevada Mountain Range sits Mammoth Mountain. On Friday, November 10th, 2023, Mammoth Mountain kicked off another winter season after being closed for only three short months. Receiving over 700″ at the base last season and almost 900″ at the summit, Mammoth is coming off its snowiest season on record. A strong El Niño forecast could favor another big year for the mountain.
- Related: [RECAP] Winter 2022-23: The Snowiest Season of All Time at Mammoth Mountain, CA – SnowBrains
Exciting things lie ahead for Mammoth’s 23/24 winter season. Mammoth’s dedicated operations team is known for being able to expand terrain as quickly and safely as possible following opening day. Mammoth starts off the season with operations out of Main Lodge only. However, Canyon and Eagle Lodges are scheduled to open for the season by mid-December. Canyon Lodge will be debuting a brand new high-speed chair lift to replace Canyon Express (Chair 16). Guests can expect a significant increase in uphill capacity due to the lift seating six people per chair rather than four, and the enclosed top and bottom terminals will be equipped with an automated loading conveyor. That means less time in line and more time embracing the simple joy of sliding on snow.
As mentioned, Mammoth had a legendary 2022/23 season. Not only did the mountain receive over 700″ at the base, but Mammoth had an insanely long season lasting from 11/5/22 – 8/6/23 (275 days!). The 2022/23 season was the ski area’s second longest season, trailing only the 1994/95 season that managed to stay open for a mind-boggling 309 days. Mammoth had one massive dump after another, receiving 100+” for four consecutive months, keeping those free refills coming.
Atmospheric river, a term that almost became synonymous with Mammoth Mountain. Numerous storms dropped snow by the foot, delivering snowfall so massive that there were days Mammoth had to cease operations as crews worked tirelessly to open the mountain.
Massive snowfall isn’t unusual in the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains, especially during an El Niño, which is forecast to be strong this season. During the previous 2018/19 El Niño season, Mammoth received nearly 500″ at the base, which is well above its typical 400″ average snowfall.
At 11,053 feet, Mammoth Mountain boasts the highest summit of any California resort, making for deeper, better snow and beautiful vistas. The high elevation of Mammoth attracts early-season snowfall for the mountain, and to aid in the early-season snowpack, Mammoth invested $5.5 million this year in its snowmaking infrastructure. Mammoth is gearing up to make 2023/24 the best season yet, whether it’s by ripping bottomless powder or attending the countless events hosted at the mountain.
Throughout the season, Mammoth Mountain will host plenty of fun events such as the Night of Lights, Toyota US Snowboard and Freeski Grand Prix, and the JLA Banked Slalom.
Night of Lights – December 16:
Mammoth Mountain‘s one-of-a-kind evening is back this year at Canyon Lodge. The mountain is hosting a free event to celebrate the holiday season with a fireworks spectacular that will light up the Sierra Sky. Enjoy outdoor family activities, including fire pits, live music, snowmobile rides, and more.
Toyota US Snowboard and Freeski Grand Prix – January 31 through February 3:
The best of the best skiers and riders from across the globe are set to return to Unbound Main Park for the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix Slopestyle and Halfpipe World Cups. There is always something special about the Grand Prix at Mammoth, and this year is no exception. This is a spectator-friendly event where onlookers can enjoy a cup of hot chocolate or a beer while they cheer on their favorite athletes.
JLA Banked Slalom – March 22 through 24:
Celebrate the life of professional snowboarder Jeff Anderson at the Annual JLA Banked Slalom March 22–24. In 2003, the snowboarding community was rocked by the untimely passing of snowboarding legend Jeff Anderson. Mammoth Mountain and the JLA Project are thrilled to continue to keep his legacy alive with a fun day of shredding with Jeff’s friends and family on the mountain he grew up on.
The JLA Project was founded after the passing of snowboarder Jeff Anderson. The original goal of the foundation was to build a skate park in Mammoth Lakes, now the renowned Volcom Brothers Skate Park. The next goal, or Phase 2 of the Foundation, is maintaining and improving the Skate Park each year, as well as placing an emphasis on a renewed nurturing support of the sport of snowboarding from a grassroots level. The JLA Project is a movement to remind the community that snowboarding is an entire lifestyle.
Mountain Stats:
- 3,100 vertical feet
- 3,500 acres
- 175 named trails
- 25 Lifts: 9 express quads, 3 express six-packs, 2 gondolas
- 10 Terrain Parks: 100+ jibs, 50+ jumps. and 2 halfpipes
