Worldwide Ski Resorts • USA • Mammoth
Overview
Mammoth Mountain is one of the largest purpose built ski resorts in the United States. The mountain stands above the small, four season resort town of Mammoth Lakes. The town is a pleasant place, but has no defined centre and the accommodation and general facilities are rather inconveniently scattered making the use of a car essential for getting around the area and for commuting to and from the two home ski lift stations that are on average situated about 3 km away from the main hotels and apartment complexes. There is an excellent choice of all types of affordable accommodation from hotels to self catering lodges at the resort and a remarkable range of over fifty restaurants in Mammoth Lakes providing an impressively varied, international cuisine and which almost all have excellent reputations.
Profile
The resort stands at an impressive 2425m and as a result enjoys a first class reputation for being snow sure. The mountain face has a northerly aspect that also helps to ensure that all but the lowest of the slopes have deep snow cover. As a ‘just in case’ the resort operates 477 acres of snow making facilities, so that no one ever has to worry about lack of the white stuff here. The mountain has 3,500 acres of pisted runs that extend up to 3370m and is served by 27 modern and efficient lifts. Quite frankly there is something for everyone here.
Experts have the steep bowls on the high ground together with a good selection of single and double diamond runs as well as blacks that will test anyone’s abilities. Intermediates are spoiled for choice here with virtually all the lower runs being suitable for cruising. There are marvellous long blues for the more confident intermediate and the more cautious can play on the more gentle western slopes. If you are a beginner, you will find Mammoth Mountain difficult to better as a place to learn with some first rate nursery slopes that are strategically placed right next to wonderfully mild green runs to move on to when you are ready. Boarders also have a huge choice of areas that will suit all standards, including three terrain parks covering 60 acres. Cross country skiers have 70 km of spectacularly scenic trails and two specialist training centres. The ski school has a great reputation and runs ‘ski camps’ for experts. Child care facilities at the resort are first rate.
Mountain Information
Mammoth Mountain contains a combination of steep bowls and chutes on the highest level that are generally suited to the experts and the more advanced, confident intermediates. The rule of thumb here is that the terrain gets easier the further one goes down the mountain. The most challenging slopes are Hangman’s Hollow and Wipe Out Chute (strictly experts only) with some more excellent expert and intermediate country on the back of the mountain at Outpost 14. Less experienced intermediates will find the wooded runs towards the Mill Café and around Canyon Lodge very suitable for their skill levels. About the only downside of the resort is the lack of choice and mediocre quality of the mountain restaurants.
Apres Ski
Mammoth Mountain has plenty of venues and a lively friendly atmosphere. Most people head straight for the Swiss chalet style Yodler at the Main Lodge Base. Afterwards, the Clocktower, Dublin’s Irish bar with its nightclub and the friendly Whiskey Creek are the places to try. A good time is pretty much guaranteed.
USA Resort Guide
Resort Information • Mammoth
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Resort Height | 2447m |
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Top Station | 3369m |
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Bottom Station | 2430m |
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Vertical Descent | 939m |
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Drag Lifts | 1 |
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Chair Lifts | 20 |
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High Capacity | 1 |
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Opening Dates | Nov - June |
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Rating Expert | 8 |
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Rating Intermediate | 10 |
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Rating Beginner | 8 |
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Apres Ski Rating | 7 |
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Snow Reliability | 9 |
