Play Big at Mammoth Mountain This Winter

By Daniel Hansen and Kathy Westervelt

Just a half day’s drive from Southern California or one hour by air, thanks to new daily service on Horizon Air, an unparalleled winter paradise waits. Upon arrival, you’ll quickly learn that Mammoth Mountain, located in the heart of the Eastern Sierra mountain range, fuses the best of the California lifestyle with the escape and adventure that only a world-class mountain resort can deliver.

Whether you choose to stay for a week or a weekend, Mammoth Mountain lures skiers and snowboarders with more than 400 inches of snow per year. Mammoth’s 3,500 skiable acres offer terrain ranging from gentle groomed runs, to steep chutes, to award-winning freestyle park features. Twenty-eight lifts service 150 named trails, so you can be sure there’s a run for every member of your family, no matter what their skill level may be.

Of course skiing and snowboarding are the primary activities at Mammoth, but this full service destination also offers a host of other winter activities. Get to know Mammoth in other ways besides skiing and snowboarding. There’s much to choose from, including snowmobile adventures, mountain tours, cross country skiing and snowshoeing, Parallax Snowcat dinners, Full Moon Tours, ski and snowboard camps, and scenic gondola rides. Brief descriptions of these activities appear later in this article, but first we want to entice you with some of this season’s new enhancements in the seven parks, three pipes, 65+ jibs and 50+ jumps on 90+ acres of California’s favorite mountain resort.

New Signature Features

Vans and Dragon signature features will be built from scratch to complement the popular Quicksilver signature jib – a large skate-inspired pyramid made of 100% steel and coated in clear Lexan plastic – which can be found in Main Park. Also look for a variety of “Junkyard Jibs” to be placed throughout the Unbound Terrain Parks.

North America’s Top-Rated Halfpipes

Mammoth boasts one of the longest halfpipe seasons as it is often the first pipe to open and the last to close. Consistently ranked among the top pipes in the world, Mammoth was one of the first resorts to have a Super-Duper Pipe and is one of the few places in the world with all three sizes of halfpipes. The Mini Pipe at Wonderland Park offers eight-foot walls for beginners, the Super Pipe at Main Lodge features 18-foot competition-sized walls and the Super-Duper pipe has unparalleled 22-foot walls.

New Adventure Zones

With the popularity of Mammoth Mountain’s Family Fun Parks, skiers and snowboarders can look forward to the addition of four new “Adventure Zones.”  These runs will be fun tracks built into the trees featuring a variety of berms, rollers and small bumps. Designed to complement the Family Fun Parks, “Adventure Zones” will be located near Disco Park, Forest Trail, Wonderland Park and Juniper/Eagle Express Lift.

Beginner Terrain Tripled with Progression

Wonderland Park, added in 2007/08, triples the amount of beginner terrain and emphasizes Mammoth’s commitment to progression. Parks are designed so that progressing riders can be more comfortable stepping up to new features. All three parks and pipes on the mountain, as well as rails and fun boxes, are built alike, differing only in size. The family parks, Wonderland and Disco, include features that are scaled-down versions of features in South Park and Main Park.

Ski and Snowboard School

Mammoth’s Ski and Snowboard School, voted one of the top ten ski and snowboard schools in the nation, can help make skiing or snowboarding a lifelong passion. Private and group lessons are available for adults and children with customized instruction for all ability levels at Main Lodge and Canyon Lodge. Private lessons are also available at Little Eagle Lodge. Mammoth also offers lessons in telemark and cross country skiing. Mammoth Kids program features instruction, childcare and combination packages. Now’s the time to get inspired, advance your skills and learn the latest techniques at Mammoth’s Ski and Snowboard School.

January Midweek Madness Lodging Package

Throughout the season, Mammoth Mountain offers a wide variety of packages to fit any budget. This winter, save big on lodging as January Midweek Madness returns for its seventh season. The package offers great deals on lift tickets, lodging packages, food and drink specials, and more. Take advantage of an ideal time to visit Mammoth and enjoy some of Mammoth’s best snow conditions on its least crowded slopes.

? January Midweek Madness runs January 5-8, 12-15, 19-22, 26-29, 2009.

? $58 lift tickets for adults (19-64 years old) and youth (13-18 years old). Tickets must be purchased in advance.

? Packages start as low as $119 per person, per night and include lodging and lift tickets. Restrictions apply. Call 800.MAMMOTH or visit MammothMountain.com to book.

Mammoth Mountain Accommodations

There are many types of lodging accommodations available to Mammoth visitors. We have selected three to showcase here that vary in size and style. The Village Lodge, Mammoth's newest and most luxurious property, features studio to three-bedroom condominiums located in the heart of The Village next to shopping, dining, mountain access, golf and state-of-the-art meeting facilities. The recently remodeled Mammoth Mountain Inn is located across the street from the Main Lodge and offers slopeside accommodations. Juniper Springs Lodge, also slopeside, located at the base of Eagle Express, features deluxe studio, one and two-bedroom condominium units. Tamarack Lodge & Resort is a rustic lodge located at Twin Lakes in the Mammoth Lakes Basin. Cabin and lodge accommodations offer comfortable amenities year round.

Snowmobile Adventures

For thrill-seekers and families alike, no winter vacation is complete without a snowmobile ride. Mammoth Snowmobile Adventures offers more than 75 miles of snow-covered trails and extensive snowfields to explore. Experienced guides lead one-hour, two-hour or half-day tours of the majestic Mammoth area. Tours depart from the Mammoth Mountain Inn and head toward Inyo Craters, where a virtually untouched winter playground awaits. It’s an experience you won’t want to miss!

Mountain Tours

Get to know Mammoth on a new level by taking an Explore Mammoth Tour with a knowledgeable mountain host. Tours start daily at 10:15 a.m. at the Main and Canyon Lodge Super Signs. The two-and-one-half-hour tour familiarizes skiers with Mammoth’s legendary terrain. Skiers and snowboarders interested in learning about local geology, history, flora and fauna can join U.S. Forest Service and Ski Area naturalists for a relaxed guided tour of the mountain. Naturalist Tours are offered at 10:30 a.m. from the base of Stump Alley Express at Mammoth Mountain on Fridays, Saturdays and holiday Sundays. Tours are offered at noon from Tamarack Cross Country Ski Center on Fridays, Saturdays and holiday Sundays.

Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe at Tamarack

Tamarack Lodge is a timeless lakeside resort nestled in the forest of the Eastern High Sierra. Tamarack Cross Country Ski Center, adjacent to the lodge, lies just minutes from the active town of Mammoth Lakes. Offering over 25 miles of machine-groomed tracks and ski-skate lanes, Tamarack guests can ski or snowshoe to scenic alpine lakes surrounded by glacier-carved peaks while getting the ultimate aerobic workout.

Scenic Gondola Rides to Top of the Sierra Interpretive Center & Café

For those who want to enjoy the view from the summit of Mammoth Mountain, scenic rides on the Panorama Gondola are just the ticket. Passengers board at Panorama Station, next to Main Lodge, and are whisked to Mammoth's 11,053 foot summit. Once at the summit, guests can disembark and peer down Mammoth's legendary steeps or wander through the Top of the Sierra Interpretive Center. Top of the Sierra Interpretive Center educates visitors about the surrounding area and the dynamic nature of the Eastern Sierra. The center features five interactive displays with facts about local geology, hydrology and the volcanic history of the area. Visitors can grab a bite to eat at 11,000 feet at the Top of the Sierra Café that serves hot soups, paninis, grab-and-go sandwiches and salads.

Under the Stars

Take in the scenery of Mammoth’s slopes in a very special way with a Parallax Snowcat Dinner excursion. Guests meet at the Mammoth Mountain Inn for a glass of champagne and then climb aboard one of Mammoth's state-of-the-art snowcats for a ride up to Parallax restaurant, located mid-mountain at McCoy Station. With the lifts closed for the night, guests will enjoy an elegant dinner with a panoramic view of the Minarets. The Parallax experience includes a four-course meal and expertly selected wine with each course, followed by a ride back down the mountain for an intimate view of the freshly groomed slopes.

As another option, Tamarack Cross Country Ski Center offers Full Moon Tours, which are romantic and special expeditions. Guests bundle up for a guided tour led by a naturalist who provides narrative on the geography and history of the area. Everyone warms up afterwards with a hot beverage and dessert by the fireplace at Tamarack Lodge. Two types of tours are offered each month, one on snowshoes and one on cross country skis.

Absorb the Beauty Around You

In closing, as you ride a chairlift up the hill, high in the air, take a moment to be quiet and absorb the sounds of nature that surround you. You’ll be enveloped in a feeling of peace beyond words. Then while still in the chair, turn around and take in the view. It’s a site that’s spellbinding, magnificent, and above all, unforgettable. Have a great time at Mammoth!

Mammoth Mountain is open daily from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Mammoth Mountain Ski Area is the leading four-season mountain resort in California. With 1.6 million annual skier visits, Mammoth Mountain is currently the third most frequented ski resort in the United States. For more information on Mammoth Mountain, visit MammothMountain.com or call 800.MAMMOTH. For the snow report, call 888.SNOWRPT.

2009 LIFT TICKET PRICES                                      

Effective through April 19, 2009 (multi-day discounts not available during holidays)

Adult        Youth  Senior/Child

DAILY                 83         62           41

2 DAY               158       118           78

3 DAY               212       158         105

4 DAY               272       203         134

5 DAY               332       248         164

New this season, Mammoth will be offering a 5% advance purchase discount on regularly priced lift tickets. Purchase your lift tickets at least 14 days in advance and receive 5% off – even during holidays. Special deals and promotions are available throughout the season. Visit MammothMountain.com for more information.

Ticket offices are located at Main Lodge, Canyon Lodge, Eagle Lodge, Stump Alley Express, and the Mountain Center. Additional satellite ticket offices are open weekends and holidays.

Winter Schedule of Events

January

TBD – National Safety Awareness Week

1-3 – Christmas Holiday

3 – Unbound Freestyle Series – Slalom (x2)

4 – Volcom Peanut Butter & Rail Jam

5-8 – January Midweek Madness

10 – Telebration

9 – Full Moon Snowshoe Tour at Tamarack

10 – Full Moon XC Ski Tour at Tamarack

11 – Unbound Freestyle Series – Boardercross

11 – Full Moon Snowshoe Tour at Tamarack

11 – Lakes Basin Race 15km Skate at Tamarack

12-15 – January Midweek Madness

17-19 – Martin Luther King Holiday

19-22 – January Midweek Madness

24 – Unbound Freestyle Series – Slopestyle

25 – Unbound Freestyle Series – Slopestyle (June Mtn)

26-29 – January Midweek Madness

31 – Unbound Freestyle Series – Giant Slalom (x2)

February

1 – Unbound Freestyle Series – Halfpipe

7 – Full Moon Snowshoe Tour at Tamarack

8 – Unbound Freestyle Series – Boardercross

8 – Full Moon XC Ski Tour at Tamarack

8 – Allen Bard Memorial Race 20km Classic at Tamarack

9 – Full Moon Snowshoe Tour at Tamarack

14 – Valentine’s Day

14-16 – President’s Holiday

21 – Nikita Chickita Showdown

22 – Unbound Freestyle Series – Slopestyle

26-28 – Vans Cup at Mammoth

March

1 – Vans Cup at Mammoth

7 – Unbound Freestyle Series – Halfpipe (June Mtn)

8 – Unbound Freestyle Series – Boardercross

9 – Full Moon Snowshoe Tour at Tamarack

10 – Full Moon XC Ski Tour at Tamarack

11 – Full Moon Snowshoe Tour at Tamarack

13-14 – Dave McCoy College Classic

26-29 – Roxy Chicken Jam

29 – Tour de Taste at Tamarack