Mountain Review: Mammoth, California

An in-depth video review of Mammoth Mountain, a large California ski resort located in the Inyo National Forest.
Overall Mountain Score: 72/100 - #3 of 21 on the West Coast
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Snow: 7/10
Resiliency: 8/10
Size: 8/10
Terrain Diversity: 8/10
Challenge: 9/10
Lifts: 6/10
Crowd Flow: 6/10
Facilities: 7/10
Navigation: 4/10
Mountain Aesthetic: 9/10
See our full resort breakdown and written review for Mammoth here: www.peakrankings.com/content/...
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[@austindorf83]

I’ve been snowboarding for about 16 years on the east coast. I went here last week for two days and was absolutely humbled. Best mountain I’ve been on and will probably ever be on.

[@billmangan7952]

Greatest days of my life skiing Mammoth! I worked there as a ticket attacher in the winter of 64/65. Lift tickets cost $4.50 for all day. I worked from 7:30am-11:00am then got to ski the rest of the day on a free season pass. There was only 3 chairs. Chairs 1, 2, & 3. Chair 4 came the next year. To get to the top or backside we had to traverse from the top back of chair 3 staying high under cornice bowl to drop in. Dave McCoy was all over the mountain daily coaching little kids. They would follow him like puppies over Gravy Chute on chair 1 like it wasn’t even steep. At the time I was on 210cm Head Standards ( powder ski of the time) or 210 Head Competitions. Leather boots and Marker toe with leather long thong tie down bindings that might release from the toe only. I only broke my ankle once that year! Very special memories! Later we got married on the mountain at the top of chair 8 way back in the woods at our favorite powder and corn snow area! Enjoy reading about those days! Bill Mangan

[@davidmccrae4497]

That’s awesome Bill! Thanks for sharing!

[@Smooth1now]

64/65? Damn, I thought I was old. I'm 65 and I spent the 77-78 thru 81- 82 seasons. 64 puts you about 80 +. They didn't have many lift's back then did they. Dave McCoy was still skiing in those years. He passed a few years back. Over 100!!!! Love hearing about the old days.!!!!

[@SuperNstudios]

I've been to Mammoth almost every year growing up in LA. I'm super excited to be working there next winter as a lift operator

[@PeakRankings]

Jealous!

[@KMF451]

Ill be seeing you there then! Lift ops at Mammoth is super fun!

[@moosemoose9409]

I was a lifty there 2001-2002 season, from NC, great memories, made me an excellent skier too

[@gabrielpaster]

Nice I have been going for a 20 years now a couple times a year

[@morgone8675]

hows all that shoveling going?

[@Wolverinefan33]

SoCal native so maybe I'm biased... but best mountain ever. Hands down.

[@codyellsworth5053]

ive been skiing at mammoth for 13 years since i was 2. I love it, ive skied it corner to corner, and i cant get enough

[@carterwest7807]

I love that you don't edit out your slips (falls). Makes me feel better when I "slip".

[@donzioldbuddy]

First skied Mammoth in 1975 ...and still enjoying it !!

[@arjunski]

As someone who's lived in California for almost 8 years, it's insane that I haven't made a trip down here. Looks beautiful!

[@scottspeer]

I'm a born and raised Northern Californian, skiing for over 30 years and I have yet to go. Unless you fly, you have to drive hours past some great resorts to get there, so I've never made it. One day maybe...

[@codyellsworth5053]

it rly is. i was born and am still in L.A. and ive been coming here since i was 2, 13 years ago. you should come

[@alexivanov1211]

@@scottspeer as a person who lives in socal, mammoth is the closest “good” resort bc big bear, mt high, and mt baldy are all terrible nowadays due to terrible snow so i always end up going to mammoth a lot

[@briane173]

It's a tougher slog to get there from Northern CA than from L.A. That may soon change, as they've started offering short-run flights to Bishop -- which then is about a 40-mile drive up the hill to get to Mammoth Mtn. Those living in L.A. have a somewhat easier time of it, being able to take US 395 through the Mojave Desert and up through Owens Valley. A six-hour drive, but well worth it - especially if you're a geology nerd like me. Plenty to see along the route, not the least of which is that imposing Sierra escarpment along the crest of the range. Either way, when I was a kid a trip to Mammoth was like a trip to Heaven. I've been in love with the area for the past 50 years and really miss it, even though I live in WA and have the Cascades in my backyard.

[@Thedeathdump]

I just went to mammoth and snowboard the first time ever. The classes there are fantastic and the people that teach them are so passionate about the sport

[@elaisalt2679]

Watching this video get me pumped for the season 💪💪

[@maedatyson9143]

wide footprint is a plus not a minus.. we are on the snow for an adventure, if you cant read the trail map and run into a harder trail you got youre moneys worth in my opinion. if you want a smaller footprint of a mountain, go to mt high. 5min to get down that hill.

[@jairocatalan4974]

Mt high is pretty fun

[@austinshirley9932]

This is such an underrated channel! You guys deserve so many more subs than you have! Keep up the great work.

[@PeakRankings]

Love the enthusiasm Austin, thank you for your support!

[@PeakRankings]

Love the enthusiasm Austin, thank you for your support!

[@dazedpower]

Hitting Mammoth for my first time this upcoming Tuesday! Usually I tend to board around Tahoe, but Mammoths all that is open so far, so stoked!!!

[@julianeichenberger4449]

How was it? Im from switzerland and i really wanna hit up mammoth one day!

[@mtadams2009]

@@julianeichenberger4449 I have never skied there but they have received massive snow this year. They have received over 550 inches of snow so far this winter. My wife used to ski there a lot when she was young and says it a great area. If you go enjoy. Take care

[@movingman67]

I grew up in Bishop skiing Mammoth in the 70s and 80s. Still my favorite mountain.

[@Wadosan]

Will say the best lunch I’ve ever had was at McCoy Station; something about a delicious bowl of chili and Hot cocoa on a cold day after hours of skiing made it taste so good. It wasn’t too crowded when I went up there either, and once I was done I was able to get right back on the slopes.

[@nickv3085]

Nice review. I don’t know any other mountain as well as mammoth, so it is hard to compare, but it is definitely a great hill. Chair 23 can be a nice reprieve from the lift lines. It does get backed up too, but because of what it services and how it is positioned, it doesn’t ever get too bad…except maybe the busiest fresh snow weekends.

[@charlieharper4975]

Another good, honest, accurate review with excellent video in support.

[@Erik-gg2vb]

Skiing was my dad's sport so we in the 70's would go to Mammoth and sometimes June mtn. during Easter and Christmas holiday. That place has changed a lot since them. Tickets were $60.00 back them. Then in the 2000's my sister moved to Denver and skied all those mtn's. Vail was my favorite. I did not know how light snow could be til I skied Colorado.

[@AlecEdelmeyer3]

You’re getting me psyched for the upcoming season! What resorts are you reviewing this year?

[@PeakRankings]

We're planning to concentrate on the Northeast this season, but we'll also be getting video content for some Colorado mountains! If the border is open, we're also hoping to hit the Canadian Rockies 🏔

[@Kirbey]

went to mammoth a few years ago and the first day was insane, crazy snow and perfect sun, however it was followed on the second day by a massive storm that shut everything except discovery, gold rush, and canyon. So sadly I haven’t gotten the perfect mammoth experience and I hope to go back at some point

[@Ryan_hey]

That's consistent with my experience. The storms nearly always brought windy conditions which shut down a majority of the mountain, resulting in crazy long lift lines at the few that were open. Still an amazing resort--definitely recommend.

[@gerakore8948]

My favorite place. Was spending 90 days out of the year here.

[@klenaghanny]

I love your reviews, but I’ve skied at Mammoth dozens of times. My son was on the “Mighty Mites” ski team. That being said, I think your criticism about the signage is a little unfair, I’ve never had any issues. You are definitely right about the complaints about fixed grip lifts, though.

[@richardblum8542]

This review seems to have looked for ways to comment negatively. I’ve skied all over the U.S. nothing quite compares to Mammoth for a Big Mountain experience except Jackson Hole. Can’t leave out Big sky where the big stuff is elusive.

[@kevinharrison4519]

If I wasn’t from California and planning a ski trip,IDK I’d I would hit Mammoth based on this review. Hopefully it keeps them away!

[@justinneilsonn2665]

Great video

[@carlstrohmeyer]

"Variable weather conditions keep one from booking months in advance." Mammoth certainly has its issues such as crowds (probably the biggest issue IMO), However this is an area where Mammoth shines. With excellent early season snow making and high altitude and unique weather patterns, even in the worst of years skiing is at least decent which I cannot say the same many other ski area I've been to in California, Colorado, or Oregon (where I live now).

[@dantrim3937]

Most of this is bashing Mammoth and you can make most of his criticisms about lots of other resorts. The compliments are few and far between. It's expensive but so are all the big resorts anymore. I love Mammoth.

[@hanssolo6990]

Love Mammoth my home mountain. I do at least 30 days a year there. The most comparable resort would be winter park CO. I always have a great time there

[@brianoconnor3407]

Do not agree. Winter Park is boring. Long cat tracks to get from here to there. Its a big intermediate mountain.

[@hanssolo6990]

@@brianoconnor3407 Mary Jane has great expert runs and is part of winter park. Great snow also

[@Uchuuneko]

I love Mammoth and I'm going to miss having it as my home mountain now that I moved to the Bay Area. You should do a review of their sister mountain June which I think in some ways is even better than Mammoth.

[@PeakRankings]

We've heard a lot of good things about June! Hopefully, we'll get the chance to stop by next winter.

[@HH-om4uv]

Why is June better than Mammoth?

[@izabelalodangco5714]

@@HH-om4uv less crowded and more family friendly. But mammoths terrain is incomparable IMO

[@sabastionmcternan8852]

Keep June a secret please

[@brianoconnor3407]

No it is not a better mountain. Holy cow. Sure, it is less crowded, but its a tiny area. But 'better'? Nopers.

[@raymond_xy9021]

awesome review! also where can i find that area between 1:11-1-:17?

[@PeakRankings]

Thank you-that’s the lower lift line for Chair 12!

[@TheIBROWman]

accurate review! did you get any bluebird powder days?

[@PeakRankings]

Thank you! Sadly we found ourselves there on days with either clear skies or great powder-but not both.

[@d3r3kyasmar]

I am going there tomorrow

[@sheepdawg6946]

Great review. I currently live and grew up on Mammoth. Have decades of 100 day seasons on snow here. Honest review. But I would add that the amenities suck, when compared to other resorts, Weekend crowds can be insane, and we are under rated when compared to other resorts, but in all honesty, they do not know how much better we are than them. I have several friends that work for IKON and Mammoth makes more money than all other IKON resorts. Also, the town really sucks and is filled with strip malls and too many condos. No cool old west gold town cultures, like Colorado.

[@RourkeSD]

so having listened to a few of your reviews I think they are informative. I do like skiing Mammoth as I can ski allmost all of the middle mountain and down. I am an intermediate plus skier, blacks are fine, I do not like moguls. So given that I can ski CA, Colorado, Montana and Utah. So what two mountains would you suggest? Oh after your'e review I will not be going to deer valley. I like an old school like ski area with good local spots to hit at night that Mammoth has. Looking forward to your feedback.

[@PeakRankings]

For resorts with lots of groomers, including some on the steep side, check out Vail and Beaver Creek. Park City and the Aspen resorts are good choices as well.

[@Noebarrell]

you didn't talk about wind buff which is what makes mammoth GOATed

[@jamesguido9877]

Yes, the altitude is a factor in snow fall amounts but there is another reason that actually adds more snow than just the altitude. Mammoth sticks out like a sore thumb with lower elevations on both sides of the mountain. That creates a funnel that redirects storms and drives them right at Mammoth and increases the number of massive dumps over a season. I think you are too critical of Mammoth and suspect you really don't like the mountain. That's okay; there are plenty of skiers and snowboarders and never a shortage of lift ticket sales. BTW; I lived there for 7 years and was a ski instructor during those years.

[@Nik_Mtb]

Those moguls looked so fun

[@stephentomaszewski8501]

Mammoth is an amazing mountain however it has its flaws. It's usually blue bird mild days which makes for very enjoyable skiing and hanging out at the outside bars. But when the big storms roll in the wind and visability close the top and usually mid mountain which means only the main and canyon lifts are open.So unforuntatly, the best days to ski are the day afer the storm but if the storm is too big they will need to do avalanche control which delays opening the glade and more challenging runs. That said, I've had some great experiences skiing during small storms and huge storms; I guess I'll take any snow over no snow. But this problem is going to happen at most mountains. In my opinion, Mammoth excels at glade skiing from chair 9 or chair 5 or chair 22; the backside has very short runs and is typically wind swept but the day after the storm it is ideal.

[@elisabethvilla5251]

J’adore

[@vijendraa.g.7069]

mammoth had insane powder the last month or so do to massive storms

[@Ritzcrackdd]

You think the weather will be like this in December?

[@PeakRankings]

Possibly! Mammoth is usually on one of the two extremes: bright and sunny, or storming hard.

[@tomrmcf]

Love the vids. Hope to see some European resort reviews soon. Heads-up, I had to ask Alexa when Memorial Day is, don't forget your international viewers!

[@PeakRankings]

Great callout Tom! Don't think we'll be able to hit Europe this year, but it's in the pipeline!

[@-ImHotUrNot-]

I can see my ski team in your video

[@OddiseeXL]

Seriously dude, rule one in the park: don't go off the sides of jumps. Hit the feature or don't hit the jump at all. You're ruining the takeoff for people that actually hit the features, rutting it out the wrong way, making it hazardous.

[@rambultruesdell3412]

U nailed the do not suck rule; keep the tracks in line with the hit, and keep it real. I dunno want to catch a sideways track which throws from the switch 7

[@supremeseams]

I thought rule 1 is; you gotta wear a helmet

[@AK-bw8xk]

Mammoth rips there is no doubt, BUT i remember when it was less corporate less expensive. 😢

[@mr.wilson595]

I want to take my kids for their first time, which ski resort/mountain will you recommend?

[@PeakRankings]

Where are you located/looking to travel?

[@mr.wilson595]

@@PeakRankings I will be in Los Ángeles.

[@PeakRankings]

@@mr.wilson595 we'd highly recommend checking out one of the local hills near there, such as Mountain High, Big Bear, or Mount Baldy!

[@mrepix8287]

Definitely Snow Summit or Snow Valley, Mtn High can get trashy/overcrowded and Mt Baldy is certainly not a beginner mountain.

[@je5406]

Big Bear 100% but go on a week day during a non holiday period.

[@britishtaco8885]

Doesn’t look in the same league as whistler/ blackcombe?

[@missinglinq]

Mammoth is so underrated!

[@julianleeds975]

Someone from the park community is watching this video right now and cringing.

[@va4114]

Can’t believe people liked this

[@Noah-qw5mi]

when was these shots taken?

[@PeakRankings]

Jan-March 2021!

[@Noah-qw5mi]

@@PeakRankings ah ok. most of the runs looked pretty skied out

[@AverageDadAdventures]

only drawback is GETTING to the mountain :(

[@SolaceEasy]

NOT an Expert mountain. Advanced, Intermediate, Beginner skiers will love it. Anything hard is short. Lincoln Chutes are okay, I guess. Fun mountain.

[@SolaceEasy]

I agree with the assessment that this might be the best mountain for most skiers on the West Coast. In good conditions.

[@brianoconnor3407]

Nonsense Steve. Plenty of expert terrain if you are able. Guessing you don't know the mountain. Drop Out, Wipe Out, Hangmans, Ave chutes, Philipes.., etc, Whales Tail, back side (chairs 13-14), and so much more.

[@shooter7a]

The biggest issue with Mammoth is the lift line attendants are incompetent and dont know how to run a life line. The life line can be 20-30 minutes, and they will continuously have lifts go up empty, short people, because they do not keep the lift line organize. It can be really irritating. Last time I was there, the lift life was 15-20 minutes, and at one point 5 chars in a row went empty because someone's Ikon pass would not scan and the attendant was oblivious to the fact that he was holding up the whole line. But if you are an advanced or better freestyle rider/skier, there is no place on earth that has this level of pipe and slopestyle obstacles. That is why a lot of elite pros live and train in Mammoth. On any give day you might see Olympic caliber riders/skiers going absolutely terrifyingly huge on the main park.

[@ryanchauncey6453]

Footprint footprint footprint. Mammoth is the shit, period.

[@va4114]

Did this guy seriously just do a review where he side hit rail kickers? The fact that you weren’t completely embarrassed to post this is pathetic, you’re ruining those jumps that are meant to get on the rail for everyone else who wants to use them the correct way 🤦‍♂️