The weather forecast was calling for thunderstorms. It didn’t seem true since the skies were blue and the sun was shining in Tahoe. It was a perfect spring day. Grabbing the last of the gear we finished packing it in the car. The smell of pine was in the air and the radiating sun felt good shining down on our skin. It always seems odd pulling out of the driveway to go on a snowboarding trip in conditions such as these. Heading over Spooner Summit (US-50) and dropping down the mountain, a wall of clouds in the distance began to build. At this point it was evident, rain was soaking the valley. Thoughts of whether the trip would be rained out began to creep into our minds. About that time huge rain drops began to cover the windshield as we pointed the car south towards Mammoth Lakes, CA. The closer we got to our final destination the heavier the rain became while the mountains surrounding us got bigger. They began to touch the sky as the moisture filled the heavy clouds. Looking up towards the peaks the snow level continued to drop as freshies coated the higher elevations.
Highlights:
Mammoth Mountain – The Snow is Good to Go
Mammoth Brewing Co. – New Digs
Food Cache – Fueling Up
Mimi’s Cookie Bar – Cookies and Cookbooks
Black Doubt Brewing – Dank as Funk
Mammoth Brewing Co. – New Digs
After hitting the highway, we made the one and only turn off of 395 and headed west to Mammoth Lakes. The rain let up and the environment became quiet and peaceful. There was a sense of relief amongst the crew. We pulled into our lodging and began unloading gear from the car. In reality, it felt more like winter than spring and we were amped for the upcoming day at the resort. But first, when in Mammoth, Mammoth Brewing is a go to for some sustenance and to quench our thirst from the drive. Since our last spring trip they had relocated the tasting room and even partnered with a restaurant. We quickly threw all the gear in the house and went to check out the situation.
The new location is very well done. There’s an immediate bright and outdoorsy feel when entering. The walls, floors and ceiling are decked out with pine wood, which give it a warm cabin-esque ambiance. Chase, the tasting room manager, was there to greet us at the door and to show us around the brewery. Like many breweries, they started small but they now brew over 8,500 barrels a year. Distribution obviously covers the Eastern Sierras and has expanded as far south as Los Angeles and all the way up to Reno/Tahoe. On tap they had a ton of experimental beers we’d not heard of and hadn’t seen in stores. One of the more interesting options was the Forest Nymph. Typically sour beer wouldn’t be the first on our list to try. Surprisingly, it was a good introduction into how good this type of ale can be when done correctly. It’s a nice solid beer flavor with a tangy refreshing hint of sour. It’s perfect for a summer day. One of the seasonals on tap was the Summer Triple (a Belgian style ale) which was created to pay homage to this time of year in Mammoth. It signifies the trifecta of activities during summer in this area, which are Hiking, biking and fishing.
Munchies at Mammoth Brewery? The Eatery
Once we finished a full tour of the brewery and sampling many of their offerings, Chase left us to our own devices. With beers selected, that meant it was time to order some food. Fortunately, the brewery partnered with the Eatery, which is right inside the tasting room. Until you do some research the separation almost goes unnoticed. After talking to a few locals we found out that this restaurant is owned by Bleu, another restaurant in town. This is one of those “matches made in Heaven!” Just like the beer, the food is no joke. We could’ve eaten here every night, it was that good! So, we have to preface this with a description…this night we happen to be lucky enough to show up while there was a wedding party of 100+ people AND the Golden State Warriors, NBA playoff game was on the TV! The place was hoppin’ and the atmosphere was live. We headed over to the counter to place our order. The server informed us certain selections were sold out. Since we were there late and they were packed, it was no big deal. There were plenty of interesting choices to choose from. Each item on the menu took a typical bar food and flipped it on its head with a clever, calculated culinary twist. Take one of their appetizers for example. It is called Chili Dusted House Made Pork Rinds. This dish is warm, crispy with a hint of salt-n-spice that paired awesomely with every beer on the menu. The Crispy Chicken is a take on the classic chicken & waffles, but instead of traditional, the chicken was on a bed of corn cakes! The Philly Cheesesteak took a different approach as well. Stacked with real pieces of steak and a creamy white cheddar cheese on a toasted bun, it was fantastic. From what we can tell everything on their menu is amazing. On our next trip we are definitely going stopping by Bleu, their main location. Until then, it was time to get a few hours of shut eye for the following day.
The Snow Is Good To Go
By Memorial Day snow in most parts of the country is long gone, but at Mammoth they aren’t even thinking about closing. You are asking yourself…did they say snow in May? The answer is yes we did…let’s not stop there. Try snow in May, June and July! On a typical winter you can still ski or snowboard until July 4th. This year is no different! The question becomes why? Talking to Joani Lynch, director of Marketing, it’s simply a tradition. Dave McCoy the person who started the resort ran it less like a business and more as a place to hang out. This attitude still resonates to this day. Immersing ourselves in that vibe we hopped on the chairlift and began our day around nine.
At that time the snow was the softest off the front of Chair 3, known as Facelift. Creamy and carve able we made lap after lap and got the most out of it. As we’ve discussed, spring skiing is all about reading the snow. Armed with this information, we knew it was time to head up to the summit. All the locals said that regardless of your ability the summit is worth a visit even just to take in the view. Words and pictures cannot express how beautiful it is. Whether or not you ride or ski, if you find yourself in Mammoth Lakes put this on your list of things to do. From the top we decided to drop into Cornice Bowl. By this time of year the snow is perfect for anyone who wants to step up their steepness game. Soft and groomed it was great practice or you could really let er’ rip! Bombing this line gets the adrenaline pumping and the heart beating. This is exactly what the doctor ordered!
The “Infamous” Chair 23
The infamous Chair 23. When it’s mentioned you know people are talking about doing some serious riding. But even before you drop, this fixed grip chair will test your mental mettle. The ascent takes you over jagged rocks and into a large metal wind tunnel at the top. For those with an aversion to heights, it’s a sure bet to get your eyes buggin’ and your heart pounding! Originally, we exited right but had to change plans because this trail to those runs was closed. Lucky for us, there were options. We ended up going rider’s left and dropped into Scotty’s. It was by far the best run of the mountain. A fairly steep continuous pitch with minimal moguls meant you could take nice big turns with a ton of arm room or you can straight line and tuck. Finishing up the day, we rode Silver Tip. The run had been closed earlier in the day for race training so it was salted and untouched a perfect way to end the day. The snow throughout the mountain was perfect for all skill levels to have a blast! Even this time of year, spending a full day on the hill we weren’t able to cover all the terrain. Lucky for us we came back three days in a row and were able to conquer Mammoth! In our opinion, that’s what makes this place one of the best spring skiing trips in the country! For this day though, that was it. Now, we were ready for a treat. It was time to get our dessert on.Back to the Top
Cookies and Cookbooks
Quiet and unassuming from the outside, Dessert’D Organic Bake Shop is a must stop if in Mammoth Lakes. Baking cookies started as a hobby but once Mimi moved to Mammoth Lakes she was looking for a job that she’d enjoy. So, why not follow her passion? This is when the idea of a bakery was born.
Now here at Local Freshies, we’ve been to many bars…but we can say this is our first stop at a “cookie bar.” Having a sweet tooth and intrigued by the name we had to see what Dessert’d Organic Bake Shop was all about. Walking through the door it immediately feels homey and inviting. It’s comforting like your grandma’s kitchen with a younger, hipper vibe. Mimi met us upon arrival and it was evident who created the atmosphere. She’s an ex-competitive snowboarder with a passion for baking!
Competitive Snowboarder Becomes Baker
The question is why did this ex-competitive snowboarder become a baker. The short of it is essentially, her family ate really healthy as a kid. Only on special occasions were they allowed deserts. When the time came, Mimi was eager to provide the labor to create sweet treats. Over the years her passion for baking has grown. Like any one with true passion for what they do, she continues to hone her craft. Regular items can allows be found, but every time you step into the store you’ll find something new! Below are some of the staple recipes you’ll want to try:
- Yia Yia (pronounced Ya Ya) cookie which means grandma in Greek…this recipe specifically comes from her grandma. It is the classic Kourambiethes Greek cookie made with organic ingredients.
- Best Friend Ever which contains peanut butter, chocolate chips, and sea salt. This is one of Mimi’s personal favorites.
- Dad’s Coconut Chocolate Chip a soft chewy chocolate chip with HUGE coconut flakes in it. It really works and it’s so good!
Like all great ideas sometimes necessity is the best form of invention. Mimi was faced with a problem. In her recipes she began to notice she had lots of almond waste. Not a big fan of waste, she came up with a plan. Instead of throwing those out they figured out a way to use the excess. Again, husband Delaney, comes to the rescue! Use the ingredient to make Florentines. The result, a newest best seller was born…Caramel Florentines. In our opinion this is the most decadent dessert you’ll ever have. This was overall a great experience and a definite reason to come to Mammoth. But, don’t worry; if you can’t make it Mimi’s got you covered! For those who’d rather be pampered, you can order her delicious goodies online daily. If you are a do it yourself kind of person, you can always purchase her cookbook. With the sun setting it was time to head over to the newest brewery in the Eastern Sierras.
Black Doubt Brewing – Dank as Funk
Each ski town has its own character and style. but the people that call these places home are all a hearty bunch that follow their passions. It’s about making your own path no matter how difficult it is. Drew and Kerissa Wallace, the owners of Black Doubt Brewing are an embodiment of this.
Arriving ten years ago in Mammoth to follow the snow, their love of brewing beers never waned. Finally deciding to go for it they opened Black Doubt brewing. Looking to highlight their use of an electrical brewing system the name “Black Out” came around which evolved into “Black Doubt.” Their location makes you feel right at home even if it’s your first time there. Almost like you were at your own local watering hole. Of course it’s all about making “beer for the people” and each beer they serve is amazing. Their beers have some really clever names and taste great. Many are named after terms only the local’s know. So you’ll have to buy a round of beers to get the scoop behind the names. So include the “Mountain Wookie” and also the “Yeti Charmer.” Be warned that there is a good chance each time you visit their beer selection will be vastly different. So, if you enjoy what they are serving you better drink up and get a growler to go! It’s impressive to see such a small outfit hangin’ in with the other brewery in town. These guys really are doing it right and there’s even talk of distribution in the future. Hopefully, we get the 411 first so be sure to check back with us for updates.
Black Velvet Coffee – Fashionable and Amazing
Through out our trip we stopped and checked out a few different spots. Toomey’s is cool if you want a good bite to eat on your way down from the mountain or staying near Mammoth Village. Stellar Brew is an awesome joint filled with great café food and an amazing patio. The one spot we checked out that seemed to do things a bit differently is Black Velvet Coffee. With its modern décor it could exist in any major city, but at the same time had the style of Mammoth. Pulling up to the counter we were shocked to hear that they do pour over and immersion methods to get a cup of ‘jo. Having never tried the immersion method that was the option we took. Creamier than a pour over and more like a refined French press it was simply fantastic! The next thing we were impressed by is that there is only one size of Cappuccino. This tells you they are serious about their craft. If you like coffee you’ll love this place. If you aren’t a coffee drinker they also have a good selection of beer and wine as well. With Mammoth Mountain being open until July 4th there is no better time than now to come down and visit.
Many people visit Mammoth Lakes, CA each year to enjoy Mother Nature and the Great Outdoors. This is one of the greatest places on the planet to do so, but as you’ve seen there’s much more. The mountain is staying open until July 4th so you still have time to get down and make some turns! Regardless, next time your in town swing by some of these local’s favorites to give your trip a boost and experience Mammoth like the locals!
Looks like a blast!