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Things to Do & Places to Go:
Winter Activities in Mammoth Lakes

With more than 300 days of sunshine, and 400 inches of snowfall annually, Mammoth Lakes is the place to be in winter. Hit the slopes at Mammoth Mountain Ski Area for 3,500 acres of skiable terrain, seven terrain parks, 156 trails, and 29 lifts including the Panorama Gondola that whisks you to the 11,053-foot summit, Top of the Sierra, in minutes. Mammoth Mountain definitely lives up to its name as this place is big! Even during popular winter holidays (think President’s Day Weekend), it never feels crowded. You could easily ski for three days straight and still never hit every slope, chute or bowl. With 30 percent of the trails devoted to beginners, 40 percent for intermediate, and 30 percent for the expert, Mammoth Mountain Ski Area has a trail for every member of the family. Although an adult lift ticket can be a bit pricey, Costco offers discount multi-day passes or book online at MammothMountain.com two weeks in advance to save some cash. Now what about the food? Choose from six slopeside venues for lunch or snack. The barbecued pulled pork sandwich at Mills Cafe located at the base of the Goldrush Express Chair 10 is this family’s favorite; the laid back vibe at the Outpost (Chair 13 and 14) is another. And speaking of atmosphere, Canyon Lodge is the “it” spot post-slope. Grab a lounge chair and a cocktail and listen to live bands perform every weekend. And when it’s time to head home, try the new ski-back trail, a picturesque and leisurely alternative to return to The Village after a day on the slopes.

Fall and Winter Event Calendar
for 2010 - 2011

Big Winter Kick Off Celebration
November 11 - 14, 2010

4th Annual Mammoth Film Festival
December 8 - 12, 2010

2010 Night of Lights (at Canyon Lodge)
December 18, 2010

2011 USSA Snowboarding Grand Prix
March 4 - 6, 2011

2011 Roxy Chicken Jam
March 22 - 26, 2011

4th Annual Mammoth Winter Biathlon
March 2011

2011 Mammoth Invitational
April 2011

SpringFest Kick Off & Pond Skim
April 2011

West Coast Invitational & Rail Jam
April - May 2011

Need a great place to
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Mammoth also offers 19 miles of groomed, cross-country ski trails around Twin Lakes and Mammoth Lakes Basin at the Tamarack Cross Country Ski Center, just up the road from Eagle Lodge. Terrain ranges from the gentle Twin Lakes Loop to the more difficult Mineshaft trail. The center also rents snowshoeing equipment and offers lessons for the novice. Sign up for Winter Naturalist Tours to learn more about the flora and fauna of the surrounding Eastern Sierra, or take a ski or snowshoe tour on full-moon nights throughout the winter. What could be more romantic? I know! A mug of mulled cider fireside at the historic 1924 lodge.

Still need more winter options? No problem! What about snowmobiling? You can rent a snowmobile and explore more than 75,000 acres on your own or head out in a group with an experienced tour guide. The Mammoth Ice Rink is another family favorite. Located across from the high school, this outdoor rink is open daily from December through March, weather permitting. Mammoth even offers dogsledding tours up to Minaret Vista; evening snowcat tours and even lots of places for some low-key snow tubing. I think that covers it, don’t you?

And don’t let the calendar fool you—although it may be spring in other parts of the country, Mammoth can continue to get snow storms all the way through May, so always carry chains in your car.