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.
Why Does Mammoth Stay Open Until July 4th… Or Later?
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.
Where To Ski During Late Spring Or Summer
Depending on how late in the spring you arrive around 9am in late May the snow will be the softest off the front of Chair 3, known as Facelift. Creamy and carve able you’ll be able to make lap after lap and got the most out of it. As we’ve discussed in prior posts, spring skiing is all about reading the snow. Armed with this information, you’ll know when it’s time to head up to the summit.
A Visit To The Top Is A MUST For All
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, Cornice Bowl is a great option this time of year. The snow is perfect for anyone who wants to step up their steepness game. Soft and groomed it’s great practice or you could really let er’ rip! Bombing this line will definitely get the adrenaline pumping and the heart beating. This is exactly what the doctor ordered!
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!
Scotty’s – Probably Best Spring Trail On The Mountain
Once you exit the left and go rider’s left you can drop into a run called Scotty’s. There’s a good chance especially later in the day that this will be 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.
Silver Tip – Great Run To Finish On
If you’re finishing up the day, head to Silver Tip. Typically this is the run that’ll be closed earlier in the day for race training so it’ll be salted and untouched making it 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 you probably won’t cover all the terrain in a day. We suggest at least three days of riding in even in the spring and that’s what make Mammoth one of the best in the country for late season skiing & snowboarding. Great snow AND lots of terrain open.
