Mammoth Mountain
Built on a volcano. Open 'til summer. California's snow magnet.
3D Terrain
Download 3D Print Kit (.ZIP)Our Take
Mammoth sits on a dormant volcano at 11,053 feet and catches Pacific storms like it's got a grudge. 400+ inch seasons are normal here. Some years it breaks 700. The SoCal crowd drives five hours up the 395 for this and honestly? They're not wrong. 3,500 acres of everything -- groomers, chutes off the summit that'll make your palms sweat, and one of the best terrain parks in the West. But here's the real flex: Mammoth doesn't close. Thanks to that elevation and north-facing aspect, they regularly ski into June. Sometimes July. One year they made it to August. When every other resort in the country has packed it in, Mammoth's still out there like 'we're open, come get it.'
Nerd Stats
Summit Elevation
11,053'
Avg Snowfall
400"
Season Length
Nov-June+
Skiable Acres
3,500
Fun Facts
- It's a dormant volcano. Last eruption was ~57,000 years ago. Probably fine. The USGS monitors the earthquake swarms though, so that's... reassuring?
- Stayed open until AUGUST in big snow years. August!
- 2022-23 season: over 700 inches of snow. That's nearly 60 feet. Buried buildings.
- Five hours from LA. Far enough to weed out the uncommitted.
Why Mammoth Mountain?
Mammoth gets more snow than almost anywhere in North America and stays open until June (sometimes July). It's California's real mountain -- not a day trip, a destination. The terrain is huge, the snow is deep, and the vibes are laid-back in a way only the Eastern Sierra can deliver.
The Lowdown
Local's Tips
- 1.When the wind shuts down the upper mountain (and it will), head to Canyon Lodge -- the trees off Chairs 21 and 25 are protected and still skiing great.
- 2.Check the wind holds before driving up. Mammoth's summit is 11,053' and gets hammered. The app lies sometimes -- call the snow phone.
- 3.The Village gondola is for tourists. Park at Canyon Lodge for the best top-to-bottom laps.
- 4.Spring skiing here is elite. March and April often have the deepest base of the season.
Don't Miss
Hot springs at Wild Willy's
Free natural hot springs about 15 minutes from town. Bring a towel, get there before sunset, and soak with views of the Sierra crest. Nothing beats it after a big ski day.
Huevos rancheros at The Stove
There's usually a wait but this is the breakfast spot. Cash only (just kidding, they take cards now). The huevos rancheros with green chile is the move.
Dave's Run to Cornice Bowl
From the summit, drop into Dave's Run then traverse into Cornice Bowl. On a clear day you can see Yosemite. On a powder day you won't care about the view.
