Mammoth Mountain: Ski Resort Guide

Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort Guide

Vertical drop: 3,100 feet (945 m) Skiable terrain: 3,500 acres Trails: 175 named trails — 25% beginner, 40% intermediate, 35% expert Lifts: 28 lifts including 3 gondolas and 7 high-speed quads Peak elevation: 11,053 feet (3,369 m) Season: typically November through May, sometimes extending into July in high snow years

Mammoth Mountain is a dormant volcano in the Eastern Sierra Nevada of California, approximately 5 hours north of Los Angeles. At over 11,000 feet with a continental climate that can deliver massive snowfall from Pacific storms, it has the longest ski season in California and one of the longest in the US. It is owned by Alterra Mountain Company and is a signature resort on the Ikon Pass.

Lift Ticket Prices

As of the 2025–26 season:

Walk-up day ticket: approximately $229–$289/day depending on date (as of 2026)
Advance purchase (7+ days ahead): approximately $129–$169/day (as of 2026)
Ikon Pass (full season): approximately $1,049 (as of 2026); unlimited access with no blackout dates at Mammoth
Ikon Base Pass: approximately $749 (as of 2026); 5 days at Mammoth with blackout restrictions
Multi-day packages: 3-day advance purchase approximately $360–$450 depending on dates (as of 2026)

California residents should check the Mammoth app for “locals” pricing windows that periodically open at significantly reduced rates.

Best Season

January through April is peak season for both snow quality and depth. February and March are statistically the snowiest months. Mammoth’s volcanic topography creates varied wind patterns — the Summit and Cornice areas at the top get the deepest accumulation while the Main Lodge base can have wind-packed snow on the same day. Late-season skiing in April–June, when the Sierra Nevada snowpack consolidates, can be exceptional — spring corn snow in the bowls with t-shirt temperatures is a Mammoth signature.

Getting There

Nearest airport: Mammoth Yosemite Airport (MMH) — 6 miles from Mammoth Lakes town; United Express runs seasonal direct flights from San Francisco and Los Angeles. Available flights are limited and can be expensive (approximately $180–$350 one way as of 2026) — monitor prices early.

From Los Angeles: US-395 north from the Inland Empire (approximately 5 hours from LAX, 4.5 hours from Pasadena); the most common drive route. Chain controls are frequently required on US-395 in winter — carry chains or ensure your rental has all-wheel drive.

From San Francisco: US-101 south then CA-152 east to US-99 then CA-41 (through Yosemite in summer) or US-395 north — approximately 6.5 hours.

Shuttle: Eastern Sierra Transit runs a bus from Reno–Tahoe Airport to Mammoth Lakes for approximately $59 one way (as of 2026); journey approximately 3 hours.

Parking: Free parking at Main Lodge, Canyon Lodge, and Eagle Lodge base areas. The free Mammoth Mountain shuttle system connects all base areas and the town of Mammoth Lakes — allow 20–30 minutes from the Village gondola to Main Lodge on busy days.

On-Mountain Lodging

The ski-in/ski-out Village at Mammoth is the primary lodging hub at the base of the Eagle Lodge/Village Gondola.

The Village at Mammoth condominiums (Intrawest): studios from approximately $250/night; 2-bedroom from approximately $450/night peak season (as of 2026)
Mammoth Mountain Inn at Main Lodge: on-mountain near the main skiing area; from approximately $280/night (as of 2026)
Juniper Springs Lodge: ski-in/ski-out at Canyon Lodge base; from approximately $350/night (as of 2026)

Mammoth Lakes town (5–10 minutes from Main Lodge, free shuttle):

Westin Monache Resort: from approximately $350/night peak season (as of 2026)
Tamarack Lodge and Resort: historic lakeside property; from approximately $200/night (as of 2026)
Condominiums and vacation rentals throughout town: 1-bedroom from approximately $180/night (as of 2026)
Budget motels on Old Mammoth Road: from approximately $120/night (as of 2026)

Beginner Suitability

The Discovery Area at Main Lodge is a dedicated learner zone with its own beginner lifts (chairs 7 and 10) and gentle terrain separate from main mountain traffic. Group ski school lessons run approximately $165/half day (as of 2026); the Mountain Roots adult beginner package (lesson + beginner area lift + rental) is approximately $199 (as of 2026). The Schoolyard and Bridges intermediate runs off the Stump Alley Lift provide an excellent step up from the beginner zone.

Expert Suitability

Mammoth’s upper mountain is genuinely challenging. The Summit (11,053 feet) is reached by the three-stage gondola or Chair 23 and has a variety of expert chutes and open bowls above treeline. Lincoln Mountain on the north side has long steep runs (Lincoln’s Way, St. Anton, Dave’s Run) with sustained pitch and length. Climax and Scotty’s on the eastern side are classic expert runs. The Paranoid Flats area has cliff bands accessible to confident experts.

Off-Mountain Town

Mammoth Lakes is a small resort town of approximately 8,000 permanent residents. The surrounding Eastern Sierra has significant non-ski attractions:

Minaret Summit Vista (road closed in winter; ski patrol snowcat tours available approximately $75/person as of 2026): views of the Ritter Range
Mammoth Lakes Hot Springs (Benton Hot Springs, approximately 45 miles east): natural geothermal pools; approximately $20/adult (as of 2026)
Devils Postpile National Monument (summer only, road closed in winter): columnar basalt formations

Key dining in Mammoth Lakes:

Toomey’s: new American with creative small plates; dinner from approximately $40/person (as of 2026)
Giovanni’s Pizza: a Mammoth institution; large pizza approximately $26 (as of 2026)
Après Handcraft + Kitchen: cocktails and shareable plates; from approximately $15/drink (as of 2026)
The Stove: breakfast institution; full breakfast approximately $14–$18 (as of 2026)

Practical Notes

Mammoth’s altitude (11,053 feet at the summit, 7,953 feet at the base) is among the highest of any US resort — altitude sickness is a real possibility, especially arriving from Los Angeles. Drink water from the moment you leave LA and avoid alcohol the first evening.
Chain controls on US-395 are common December through March. California law requires chains or snow tyres when chain controls are in effect; fines for non-compliance are significant.
The MMSA ski patrol controls avalanche terrain carefully — the upper mountain above Chair 23 can be closed for hours after major storms. Check the opening terrain map at the lift ticket window each morning.
Ski and snowboard rentals in town on Old Mammoth Road run approximately $40–$60/day and are significantly cheaper than at the mountain base (approximately $70–$90/day as of 2026).

Mammoth Mountain: Ski Resort Guide