Mammoth Lakes California
Mammoth Lakes is a year-round adventure playground, with endless outdoor activities for those looking to explore California’s stunningly scenic Sierra Nevada mountains. From its namesake towering peaks and turquoise alpine lakes, to vast valleys and tumbling waterfalls, you will never get bored exploring Mammoth Lakes. Whether you delight in paddling, hiking, biking, climbing or skiing – Mammoth Lakes has it all.
In winter, Mammoth Mountain is the shining gem of the area, but make sure to save time to shred the uncrowded slopes of June Mountain and snowshoe or cross-country ski the groomed trails of the scenic Lakes Basin at Tamarack Cross Country Ski Center.
Mammoth Mountain
The Mammoth Lakes area has 2 major ski resorts – Mammoth Mountain and June Mountain. Mammoth Mountain is one of the best alpine ski resorts in California. This renowned California ski destination has 24 lifts and 159 trails across 3500 acres of varied terrain for all levels of skiers and snowboarders.
MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN STATS
Click here for the interactive Mammoth Mountain trail map.
| Vertical Feet: | Over 3,100 vertical feet |
| Skiable Acreage: | Over 3,500 skiable acres |
| Weather: | 300+ days of sunshine per year |
| Top Elevation: | Top elevation of 11,053 feet |
| Base Elevation: | Base elevation of 7,953 feet |
| Snowfall: | Average snowfall of 400 inches |
| Number of Trails: | 150+ named trails |
| Snowmaking: | Snowmaking on 46 trails |
| Lifts: | 28 lifts (including 9 high speed quads, 2 high speed six-packs and 2 gondolas) |
| Terrain: | Terrain breakdown: 15% expert, 20% advanced, 40% intermediate, 25% beginner |
| Season: | Winter season is typically Nov – June |
June Mountain
June Mountain is smaller than Mammoth Mountain, but don’t let that keep you away. Skiers and snowboarders love the less crowded runs at June Mountain, which still holds its own with 250 inches of snow each year. It’s a great place for intermediates, with blue runs covering almost half of the 1500 acres of skiable terrain.
JUNE MOUNTAIN STATS
Click here for the interactive June Mountain trail map.
| Average Snowfall: | 250 inches |
| Average Sunny Days: | 70% |
| Length of Season: | December – April |
| Vertical Rise: | 2,590 feet / 789m |
| Elevation: | Base 7.545 feet / 2,300m |
| Summit 10,090 feet / 3,089, | |
| Skiable Acreage: | 1,500 acres |
| Number of Lifts: | 7 total – 2 Quads, 4 Doubles, 1 Carpet |
| Number of Trails: | 41 named trails |
| Uphill Capacity: | 10,000 rides per hour |
| Longest Run: | 2 miles, Silverado |
| Terrain: | 20% advanced |
| 45% intermediate | |
| 35% beginner | |
Getting to Mammoth Lakes & Mammoth Mountain
Flying to Mammoth Yosemite airport puts you just 10 minutes from the town of Mammoth Lakes. The airport typically has non-stop flights from Denver and a handful of California cities. Mammoth Lakes is also an incredibly scenic 5-6 hour (325 mile) drive north from Los Angeles along highway 395. From San Francisco and northern California, the best way to get to Mammoth in winter is highway 50 to South Lake Tahoe and highway 395 south, which takes about 6.5-7 hours.
Mammoth Lakes Skiing & Snowboarding FAQs
When can you ski in Mammoth?
Skiing at Mammoth Mountain typically starts in the third week of November and ends sometime between June and July. The start and end of ski seasons in Mammoth is determined by weather and snowfall. The best time to ski and snowboard in Mammoth is between March and June – there are less crowds and the prices are cheaper, but the skiing and snowboarding conditions are still great.
How late can you ski in Mammoth?
The latest that Mammoth Mountain has stayed open is typically the last week of July, although some years have been extended later depending on snowfall.
The latest you can ski Mammoth is typically the last week of July. The start and end of ski seasons in Mammoth is determined by weather and snowfall. Here are the closing dates for Mammoth Mountain over the last 7 years:
| Season | Closing |
| 20/21 | 05/31/2021 |
| 19/20 | 03/14/2020 *COVID impact* |
| 18/19 | 7/7/2019 |
| 17/18 | 6/17/2018 |
| 16/17 | 8/6/2017 |
| 15/16 | 7/4/2016 |
| 14/15 | 5/25/2015 |
Where can you ski in Mammoth?
The Mammoth Lakes area has 2 major ski resorts – Mammoth Mountain and June Mountain. Mammoth Mountain is one of the best alpine ski resorts in California. This renowned California ski destination has 24 lifts and 159 trails across 3500 acres of varied terrain for all levels of skiers and snowboarders.
June Mountain is a smaller mountain in the Mammoth Lakes area. Skiers and snowboarders love the less crowded runs at June Mountain, which still holds its own with 250 inches of snow each year. It’s a great place for intermediates, with blue runs covering almost half of the 1500 acres of skiable terrain.
How much snow does Mammoth Lakes get?
Pow days are unreal in Mammoth. Mammoth Lakes gets an average of 400 inches of snow annually, placing it in the top tier of resorts for natural snowfall. One of the highest snowfalls ever recorded at Mammoth was in 2019 when 487 inches were recorded at the main lodge and 720 inches at the peak.
How big is Mammoth Lakes Ski Area?
Mammoth is one of the biggest ski resorts in North America. The mountain has 3500 acres of skiable terrain, and 150 trails to choose from. The breakdown of trails is fairly distributed – 40% intermediate, 25% beginner, 20% advanced, and 15% expert.
How much are ski rentals in Mammoth?
Ski rentals in Mammoth average $55 per day. Renting only the skis or a snowboard is less. Rates may vary at Mammoth Lakes ski shops for holiday weekends such as Presidents Day.
Get an exclusive 10% discount with Black Tie Ski Delivery when you book on TripOutside!
How much does it cost to ski in Mammoth?
The total daily cost to ski at the major resort in Mammoth Lakes, including ski rental, lift ticket, lunch and accommodation is as follows:
| Resort | Total Daily Cost | Ski Rental | Lift Ticket | Lunch | Accommodation |
| Mammoth Mountain | $352 | $55 | $119 | $18 | $160 |
Get an exclusive 10% discount with Black Tie Ski Delivery when you book on TripOutside!
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SKI RENTAL PACKAGES?
Demo (or premium) packages are for the advanced skier that wants a specific ski or snowboard rental to match their specific riding style or matching the skis to the terrain. These are high-end, high-performance skis and snowboards.
Performance packages are intended for intermediate to beginner levels, typically for groomed terrain and generally have a stiffer, more specialized flex pattern, and may be wider in the waist.
Sport packages are primarily for groomed runs and intended for more beginner level skiers or snowboarders.
**All packages include downhill skis or snowboard, bindings, boots and poles (ski).
HOW CAN I SAVE MONEY ON MAMMOTH SKI AND SNOWBOARD RENTALS?
Get an exclusive 10% discount with Black Tie Ski Delivery when you book on TripOutside!
Renting online in advance can save you money. Many outfitters offer online reservation rates that are better than walk-in rates. This helps the shops manage their inventory and plan in advance. It also guarantees availability of equipment.
