Those that have been to the Mammoth Mountain ski area in the Sierras of Central California know it is aptly named. With twenty five lifts and hundreds of ski runs, it is one of the largest ski resorts in North America. The ski area ranging in altitude from 9000 to 11,000 feet has spectacular views in every direction. The town of Mammoth Lakes is at 7000 feet, so be ready for some “thin air” breathing the first few days.
We just returned from a ski trip to Mammoth and again the mountain showed us both her personalities. Someone once said " Mammoth's middle name is wind”, and if you have spent time there you will know what they mean. On our first day while having our morning coffee at Canyon Lodge we looked out at a picture of dark skies and "sideways" snow coming down. But we are lifelong skiers, and as we reach the near side of 70 (and me with my artificial knee), every ski trip is precious. So we looked at each other and said, "Let's go for it". My wife does not like cold and wind, and on the way up the first lift, the “sideways snow” was icy and blowing at 25 knots, so we knew we were in for another Mammoth adventure. With low (and sometimes no) visibility, and wind that almost blew us down, we started our first run...not bad as long as we kept our backs to the wind. But I have always said "A bad day of skiing is better than most things". It did clear up for short periods that morning, but “mother wind” kept blowing. My wife quit at noon, but I continued until 2 or so. After almost being blown off a lift, I decided enough skiing for the day, and we retired to the bar. Following a few beers enjoying each others company and watching skiers coming down, we enjoyed an evening of pizza and good wine while watching American Idol (as compared to the 30’s crowd who went to the disco).
The next morning we woke up to Mammoth’s other face…blue skies, no wind, packed powder, and no people.
We just returned from a ski trip to Mammoth and again the mountain showed us both her personalities. Someone once said " Mammoth's middle name is wind”, and if you have spent time there you will know what they mean. On our first day while having our morning coffee at Canyon Lodge we looked out at a picture of dark skies and "sideways" snow coming down. But we are lifelong skiers, and as we reach the near side of 70 (and me with my artificial knee), every ski trip is precious. So we looked at each other and said, "Let's go for it". My wife does not like cold and wind, and on the way up the first lift, the “sideways snow” was icy and blowing at 25 knots, so we knew we were in for another Mammoth adventure. With low (and sometimes no) visibility, and wind that almost blew us down, we started our first run...not bad as long as we kept our backs to the wind. But I have always said "A bad day of skiing is better than most things". It did clear up for short periods that morning, but “mother wind” kept blowing. My wife quit at noon, but I continued until 2 or so. After almost being blown off a lift, I decided enough skiing for the day, and we retired to the bar. Following a few beers enjoying each others company and watching skiers coming down, we enjoyed an evening of pizza and good wine while watching American Idol (as compared to the 30’s crowd who went to the disco).
The next morning we woke up to Mammoth’s other face…blue skies, no wind, packed powder, and no people.
With no lift lines, we skied until our legs were mush. From the first run at 8:30 until the lifts closed at 4, we made over 30 runs in absolutely perfect conditions, skiing from one side of the mountain to the other. As you can see this (almost) 70 year old grandma was having a blast.
So if you go to Mammoth and the weather is bad, hang in there for a day and things will probably change. It is a spectacular place to relax and enjoy nature at it's finest.
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