An Expert Guide to Winter in Mammoth Lakes

While California may be well known for its sunshine and coastal escapes, the Golden State proves it can switch from surfboards to snowflakes with ease. High in the Sierra Nevada, Mammoth Lakes transforms into a winter playground, mixing alpine beauty with that unmistakably cool California energy.

Credit: Mammoth Lakes Tourism

Arguably one of California’s premier winter destinations, Mammoth Lakes is a haven for skiers and snowboarders alike, boasting the longest ski season in the U.S., plenty of ways to dive into the powder and an apres-ski scene worth sticking around for. It’s not all about the slopes, however. Believe it or not, Mammoth’s magic reaches far beyond, offering everything from snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, to warming hot springs and even a touch of snowmobiling, for the thrill seekers, of course. Read on to discover a handful of experiences guaranteed to help your clients make the most of winter in Mammoth Lakes.

Skiing, Snowboarding & Free Mountain Tours

With an average of 400 inches of snowfall each year, Mammoth Lakes is built for long ski seasons, deep powder and endless enjoyment. Thanks to winter flight services from United Airlines into the Eastern Sierra Regional Airport (BIH), travellers can get from runway to resort with ease. Slopes typically open in November and often run as far as June, giving visitors the chance to stretch their ski season well beyond the norm.

Credit: Mammoth Lakes Tourism

Where better to experience this than Mammoth Mountain? Boasting California’s highest chairlift-serviced peak at 11,000 feet as well as 3,500 acres of skiable terrain suitable for all skill levels, it’s an experience as thrilling as it is jaw-dropping. With four base lodges, seamless mountain access, including 150 named ski trails and 10 terrain parks, Mammoth Mountain is as much a playground for casual powder lovers as it is for freestyle fans chasing airtime. It’s also part of the Ikon Pass, making it an easy addition for travellers looking to build a bigger multi-resort winter itinerary.

For families, June Mountain offers a more laidback way to carve through the snow. Its 1,500 acres of trails are known for gentler runs and fewer crowds, while experienced skiers can still tap into guided backcountry tours reaching the Gnome Zone, San Joaquin Ridge and Carson Peak.

Snowshoeing & Cross-Country Skiing

Donning skis doesn’t always require downhill adventure, however. Sometimes, it’s all about hitting expertly manicured trails designed for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, in an environment that allows visitors to soak up the jaw-dropping landscapes of the Eastern Sierra.

Credit: Samantha Lindberg via Mammoth Lakes Tourism

Tamarack Cross-Country Ski Center is one of the region’s go-to spots for this quieter kind of adventure. With more than 19 miles of clear, expertly groomed trails weaving through the Mammoth Lakes Basin, it’s a prime base for cross-country skiing. The Basin is also a favourite for snowshoeing, with peaceful routes winding around Lake Mary.

For a little more challenge, the moderate climb up Panorama Dome rewards visitors with views that give meaning to the phrase “postcard-worthy”. Meanwhile, the flat, gentle trails of Shady Rest Park offer an easy-going way to unwind after a morning spent on the slopes.

Tubing & Sledding

When there’s snow, there’s plenty of ways to explore and have fun in Mammoth Lakes. For visitors who prefer a more playful, low-pressure way to experience winter, Mammoth’s tubing and sledding options are sure to hit the spot.

Credit: Samantha Lindberg via Mammoth Lakes Tourism

Woolly’s Adventure Summit, located a short drive from The Village At Mammoth, is a top pick for diving into some of the more easy-going downhill fun. With two 512-foot runs serviced by a convenient conveyor lift, visitors can spend even more time watching the mountain vistas roll by as they race to the bottom.

Here, tubing and sledding make up just one activity on the incredible list of year-round outdoor highlights on offer in this basecamp for family fun. Other activities include a 5,000-foot mountain coaster that runs through the alpine terrain as well as zip-lining.

Ice Skating

Ice skating certainly isn’t a wintertime exclusive in Mammoth Lakes, courtesy of the Olympic-sized LA Kings Ice Skating Rink inside the Community Recreation Center, but it really starts to shine when the colder season settles in.

Credit: Mammoth Lakes Trail System

For those who love embracing the elements in style, the Mammoth Ice Rink is a popular choice for outdoor skating. Set in the foothills of the Eastern Sierra, it’s a great spot for playful fun beneath blue skies and snowy peaks. The rink’s location on the edge of town makes it easy to pair a visit with a leisurely wander through The Village, creating a cosy, Hallmark-style winter outing.

The LA Kings Ice Rink offers free access to public skating sessions and equipment rentals throughout the year, keeping the fun going long after the snow starts to melt and making it a favourite among visitors.

Snowmobiling Adventures

Another highlight for the Mammoth Lakes winter bucket list comes in the form of snowmobiling. A high-energy, but unique take on exploring the alpine scenery, snowmobiling is a whole new playground of adventure that draws visitors from all over.

Credit: DJ’s Snowmobiling Adventures

With over 100 miles of expertly groomed dedicated snowmobile trails varying in difficulty, and 75,000 acres of wide-open landscapes, it’s one of the more thrilling ways to experience the region. Local providers like Mammoth Snowmobile Adventures offer some of the areas finest guided and backcountry tours, offering a guaranteed source of bragging rights for all ages.

The only snowmobile outfit operated by the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, it’s perfect for adrenaline junkies and slow rollers alike, bringing a little more excitement to venturing off the beaten path.

Hot Springs

Sometimes, however, the slow lane is all visitors need for the perfect winter day in Mammoth Lakes, and where better to unwind and rejuvenate after experiencing the thrills of the Eastern Sierra than in one of the destination’s very own natural hot springs?

Credit: Kelsey (via Sights Better Seen)

Its host of natural and manmade public hot springs promise a visit as scenic as it is warming, and the perfect spot for a quaint apres-ski moment. Wild Willy’s Hot Springs (above) is arguably one of Mammoth Lakes’ better-known springs, offering a handful of smaller dipping pools surrounded by serene mountain views and even a naturally heart-shaped spring.

While public springs operate largely on a first come, first serve basis, winter does come with its own separate challenges. Since many of the springs are largely unmaintained, the roads leading to them can occasionally be affected by snow and ice, so it’s best to advise visitors to plan accordingly.

Mono Lake

What is a Mammoth Lakes winter without a little lake magic? Located around 30 minutes away via Highway 395, Mono Lake is one of North America’s oldest lakes and one of the region’s most unique winter sights. 

Credit: Robson Hatsuka (via Unsplash)

The lake’s high salinity levels support thousands of brine shrimp and attracts an impressive array of birdlife, including the California Gull and Red-Necked Phalarope. Its defining feature, however, is its bizarrely shaped hoodoos emerging from the surface.

Better known as tufa towers (above), these odd-looking formations are created through calcium-rich freshwater emerging from the lakebed, making a striking contrast against the mountain vistas of the Eastern Sierra. There’s also plenty of ways to get around Mono Lake aside from just soaking in the view at one of its many public access beaches; the region is increasingly popular for snowshoers and cross-country skiers, tying in perfectly with some of the unmissable winter experiences that we’ve explored.

California may be known for its sunshine, but its snow-dusted peaks and winter adventures offer a magic all of their own. Whether posing against a scenic mountain backdrop, soaking in a geothermal hot spring or taking in the view at greater heights before skiing down Mammoth Mountain, there’s something to suit every traveller in Mammoth Lakes.

For more information, don’t hesitate to get in touch via info@rocketlondon.co.uk