Located in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, Mammoth Lakes is a popular ski destination for many Californians! From hitting the slopes to soaking in hot springs, Mammoth has tons of winter activities and I’ve got you covered with this guide to visiting Mammoth Lakes in the winter time.
After living in California for almost a decade now, I’ve gotten to visit Mammoth Lakes quite a few times over the years! Each time I visit, I’m blown away by the area’s natural beauty — from the majestic mountains to the many lakes and hot springs in the area, Mammoth is a skier’s dream.
Here’s my guide to visiting Mammoth Lakes in the winter!
When to Visit Mammoth Lakes
Mammoth is truly a year round destination! The summer time brings beautiful wild flowers and green hills with plenty of options for hiking, mountain biking, kayaking and fly fishing. Not to mention, nearby Yosemite National Park is best visited between the months of May and September as many roads and trails in Yosemite are closed in the winter due to snow.
But, while Mammoth is stunning year-round, the most popular time to visit is definitely during the winter!
Mammoth Mountain has one of the longest ski seasons in North America — generally it ranges from November through Memorial Day, depending on the weather.
As with most ski destinations in the US, it can get pretty busy during the week of Christmas through New Years as well as long holiday weekends in January and February. Also, many of the school districts in California have a mid-winter break (also known as Ski Week!) so February can be busy as well!
How to Get to Mammoth Lakes
Getting to Mammoth Lakes from northern and southern California is typically a fairly easy one-day drive. From southern California, Mammoth is usually about a 5 – 7 hour drive (depending on where exactly you’re coming from) via Hwy. 395 and from San Francisco, Mammoth is typically a 5 – 6 hour drive (depending on traffic).
If you’re coming from out of state, your best option is likely to fly into Mammoth Yosemite Airport via United Airlines. The Mammoth Yosemite Airport is just 10 minutes from town which makes flying a fast and convenient option! JSX also sometimes has flight options to Mammoth (depending on the season and year) and may be worth looking into.
How Long to Stay in Mammoth Lakes
While most people visit for just a long weekend, Mammoth has enough activities that you could definitely stay for a week and not run out of things to do — especially if you’re really keen to explore the incredible landscape in the area. If you’re planning on skiing for a few days, I’d recommend also setting aside at least a day for exploring more of the area.
Personally, I love visiting for around 3 – 4 days so there’s time to hit the slopes as well as a few new activities or sights!
How to Get Around Mammoth
Since we usually drive to Mammoth, we have a car with us which makes it really easy to get around town. If you don’t plan on driving, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to rent a car when you arrive — especially if you’re planning to stay for a while.
Otherwise, Mammoth operates a free town bus that stops at recreational areas as well as hubs for dining and shopping, including all three Mammoth Mountain lodges, The Village at Mammoth, the Mammoth Lakes Basin, the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center and the Old Mammoth Road dining and shopping areas.
There are also a few taxi services in town: Mammoth Cabs and Mammoth Taxi, which both provide taxi services in the Mammoth Lakes area. Note that ride sharing apps like Uber are mostly not available in the area.
Things to do in Mammoth Lakes during Winter
The Mammoth Lakes area is surrounded by the Sierra Nevada mountains making it one of the most beautiful places in California to visit! And, there are plenty of epic winter activities to soak in the beauty of Mammoth.
Ski / snowboard: with some of the best skiing in California, hitting the slopes is a must! Mammoth Mountain Resort is on the Ikon Pass, or you can buy lift tickets online and pick them up at guest services.
Cross country ski or snow shoe: another great way to see the mountain is on cross-country skis or snowshoes. Rentals, lessons and guided tours are available at Tamarack Cross-Country Ski Center where you can explore 19+ miles of secluded, groomed world-class trails.
Snowmobile: get off the beaten track and take in the mountain views on a snowmobile tour! Tours are offered through Mammoth Mountain Resort and start at Snowmobile Adventure headquarters, located behind the Yodler Restaurant. I absolutely loved this tour — our guide was fantastic and we were able to get some incredible views of the Minarets!
Snowcat tours: Mammoth Mountain also offers scenic snowcat tours! Take a heated snowcat up up to one of Mammoth’s most scenic spots with views of Mammoth Mountain, the Minarets, Ritter Range and beyond.
Dog Sledding: if you’re a dog lover like me then you may be interested in a dogsled adventure! Take in the views of the Eastern Sierras while being led by a pack of trained Malamutes, Siberian and Alaskan Huskies with Mammoth Dog Teams.
Woolly’s Tube Park: snow tubing is fun for all ages and, at Woolly’s, you can skip the hike up the hill with a lift to the top!
Hot springs: Mammoth Lakes has no shortage of hot springs so if you’re wanting to soak after a long day on the mountain, check out Wild Willy’s hot springs or Travertine Hot Springs.
Hot Creek Geological Site: I visited for the first time on my most recent trip to Mammoth and, while you cannot swim at this hot spring, it’s still worth visiting for the jaw-droppingly beautiful views!
June Lake: about 25 minutes from Mammoth is June Lake, with a smaller, family-friendly mountain and beautiful lake of its own. Drive the scenic June Lake Loop which goes through the town and past a string of small, alpine lakes.
Mono Lake: this ancient saline lake is just half an hour from Mammoth and is home to trillions of brine shrimp, millions of birds, and incredible tufa towers.
*Bonus — Alabama Hills: if you’re coming from southern California, don’t miss stopping at the Alabama Hills (just under 2 hours south of Mammoth). This range of hills and rock formations is where many western movies have been filmed and is totally worth checking out for some photos or even to camp!
Where to Dine in Mammoth
Where to Dine in MammothThis laid-back mountain town has some good eats! From casual ramen spots to lakefront dining, there is a little something for everyone in Mammoth.
Black Velvet Coffee: my favorite place for an almond milk latte in Mammoth! This family-run coffee shop pours fair-trade coffees, espressos & craft beers.
Schat’s Bakery: if you’re looking for fresh baked goods, stop at Schat’s Bakery for bread, croissants, sandwiches and more.
Elixer Superfood & Juice: a little bit of Los Angeles in Mammoth! Elixer offers healthy salads, grain bowls, smoothie bowls and cold pressed juices.
Mammoth Tavern: this laid-back spot has delicious salads, soups, sandwiches and a great selection of entrées and a daily happy hour.
Mammoth Rock Brasserie: I was surprised when I heard an upscale French brasserie was located inside of a modern bowling alley… but after trying it, I have to give it 5 out of 5 stars… Who doesn’t love good food and bowling?!
Bleu Market & Kitchen: I love stopping at this market when I’m in town! They have organic and all natural products, artisanal cheeses and an in-house butchery.
GOJIRA Ramen & Sushi: there’s nothing better than a bowl of hot soup after a chilly day on the mountain. This ramen totally hits the spot!
Side Door: this is a must visit every time I’m in Mammoth! Located right in Mammoth Village, Side Door has an incredible selection of wines, delicious crêpes, paninis and fondue (YUM!). Plus, they have a covered, heated outdoor area that is dog-friendly (which my dog, Thunder, loves!).
Petra’s Bistro & Wine Bar: located in the Alpenhof Lodge just across from the Village Gondola, this charming spot is always a favorite among Mammoth restaurants.
The Lakefront Restaurant at Tamarack Lodge: although it’s hard to choose a favorite restaurant in Mammoth, I think this one takes the cake! Tamarack Lodge overlooks Twin Lakes and the restaurant, The Lakefront Restaurant, is so quaint and charming. And don’t even get me started on the food — this is definitely one of the best options for fine dining in Mammoth!
Restaurant at Convict Lake: although I haven’t been (yet!), this fine dining spot is highly renowned as being one of the best restaurants in the area. And, they offer shuttle service from Mammoth Lakes for groups of four or more (reservations required).
Where to Après Ski in Mammoth
Mammoth has a vibrant après ski scene at its two main lodges (Main Lodge and Canyon Lodge) as well as at some of the nearby pubs.
Yodler Restaurant & Bar: this cute chalet-style spot with a deck is located near the Main Lodge at the Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort and serves traditional Bavarian dishes and beer.
Tusks Bar: take a ski break at this slope-side bar located at the base of the Mammoth Mountain Unbound snowboard park.
The Mill: located at the base of Chair 2, The Mill has a few dining options as well as a bar, making it one of the perfect on-mountain meeting spots for a drink!
Mammoth Mountain Brewing Co: if you’re a beer lover, you won’t want to miss this spot. They brew their own craft beers and have some pretty delicious food as well.
Where to Stay in Mammoth
From families to ski bums, Mammoth has lodging options for every type of traveler!
The Westin Monache Resort: centrally located near restaurants, shops, the ski gondola and the town shuttle bus, this Westin is a great choice for a ski trip to Mammoth. Plus, there is an outdoor heated pool and hot tubs — perfect for a post-ski soak!
The Village Lodge: also located within the heart of Mammoth and steps away from the ski gondola, the Village Lodge is perfect for families and groups because they offer condo style lodging with one to three bedroom options.
Alpenhof Lodge: the Alpenhof Lodge is a great option for single or couple travelers as it’s a bit more budget-friendly and is just a 5 minute walk from the Mammoth Mountain Gondola. The lodge’s Clocktower Cellar Pub serves pub-style food and has a daily happy hour with billiards and big screen TVs.
Tamarack Lodge: this charming lakefront lodge is a great lodging option for non-skiers who still want to soak in the natural beauty of Mammoth! Located on the shore of Twin Lakes, it’s surrounded by mountain trails that are perfect for winter hikes, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and more. But even if you are a skier, Tamarack Lodge is still conveniently located just a mile from downtown Mammoth!
What to Pack for Mammoth in the Winter
Ski Clothes – if you plan to visit Mammoth in the winter and hit the slopes, you’ll of course want to pack warm ski clothes! If you’re new to skiing or snowboarding, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite affordable ski gear:
And there are a few other (and a bit random!) things that I never go on a trip to the mountains without: Liquid IV (it helps me so much with avoiding altitude sickness), hair spray (the dry weather causes hair static and having hairspray on hand helps so much!), and extra moisturizing hand cream (because I just can’t stand when my hands are dry and cracked from the harsh winter climate!).
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