Mammoth Mountain

With 28 lifts spread around the mountain, Mammoth’s huge amount of terrain is easily accessible. There is one express six-passenger chair, nine express quads, one quad, seven triples, five doubles and two surface lifts. There are also three gondolas: the Lower Panorama, which leaves from the Main Lodge and stops first at McCoy Station; Upper Panorama Gondola, which leaves from McCoy station and takes passengers to Panorama Lookout at the top of Mammoth mountain; and the Village Gondola, which connects the Village with Canyon Lodge.

The ski lifts operate from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. The large system of high-speed lifts means that lines are rarely a problem. Lines (always under 10 minutes) generally occur only at lifts leaving the main lodges on Saturdays and during vacation periods. If you really want to avoid any waiting in line at weekends, go to the smaller and more intimate sister resort of June Mountain, 20 miles (32 km) away. It shares Mammoth’s lift pass and is very peaceful.

Lift passes
Mammoth shares a lift pass with June Mountain, only 20 minutes’ drive north. Lift passes are quite expensive on weekends compared with other resorts, but then there are 150 trails to entertain you. Full day passes for weekends and vacations cost US$70 for adults (19–64 years), around 25 percent less for youth (13–18), and 50 percent less for children (7–12), and Seniors (65 ). Passes for six/eight days cost up to US$307 for adults (19–64 years), US$230 for youth (13–18), and US$153 for children (7–12) and seniors (65 ).

Full day passes for Monday through Friday, non-holiday, cost US$61 for adults, US$46 for youth, and US$30 for children and seniors. A beginner’s chair pass is available, as are packages for beginners including lift, rental and lessons at a discount. Tickets are available at ticket windows all over the mountain, in town lodging areas and by advance purchase, call 800-Mammoth.