Mammoth Mountain is a lava dome complex partially located within the town of Mammoth Lakes, California, in the Inyo National Forest of Madera and Mono Counties. It is home to a large ski area primarily on the Mono County side.
Mammoth Mountain was formed in a series of eruptions that ended 57,000 years ago. Mammoth still produces hazardous volcanic gases that kill trees.
Elevation: 3,369 m
Prominence: 502 m
Last eruption: 1260 ± 40 years
Mountain range: Sierra Nevada
Coordinates: 37°37′50″N 119°01′57″W / 37.630626492°N 119.032625631°W
Topo map: USGS Mammoth Mountain
Things To Do In Mammoth Mountain
Mother Nature’s Adventure Land Is Year-Round
Adventure is available year-round in Mammoth Lakes. In fact, there is a lot of debate about which season is best. But one thing everyone can agree on is that no matter what time of year you visit or what types of activities you enjoy, there are plenty of things to do in Mammoth Lakes.
During winter you can ski and snowboard Mammoth Mountain or take off into the wilderness on your cross country skis. When spring hits, you can ski and also celebrate the fishing opener on the same day. The summer melts away the snow, opening roads to Devils Postpile National Monument, 101-foot Rainbow Falls and the gateway to Yosemite National Park. Some claim autumn is the best season because you get all of the sightseeing of summer PLUS spectacular fall colors and fewer visitors.
Where to Stay in Mammoth Mountain
Going on an outdoor vacation doesn’t mean you can’t stay in comfort. Mammoth Lakes offers a wide range of accommodations for every vacation experience—from luxury hotels, unique B&Bs and quaint motels to cozy cabins and ski-in, ski-out condos. To help you decide where to stay in Mammoth Lakes scroll down to search properties by the style of lodging.
Or if you have your heart set on certain amenities, (who wouldn’t want access to a hot tub on their mountain vacation?) you can also search for lodging by amenity. In the winter, you’ll find plenty of hotel and condo rentals in Mammoth Lakes where you can enjoy putting your feet up in front of a cozy fireplace or relaxing in a hot tub after you hit the slopes. Adventuring in the summertime? Search for a classic cabin in Mammoth Lakes where you can relax lakeside after a hike.
Shopping In Mammoth Mountain
Premium brands, local boutiques and top-rated ski, snowboard and outdoor retail shops combine to bring unique character to the shopping scene in Mammoth Lakes. Stroll through The Village at Mammoth and browse local boutiques, stop by an outdoor retail shop to talk to a local expert about equipment and gear, or visit one of the premium outlet stores for big savings on top brands.
Recreational Use of Mammoth Mountain
Mammoth Mountain is home to the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, founded by Dave McCoy in 1953. Mammoth is a ski, snowboard, and snowmobile mountain during the winter months. Mammoth is the highest ski resort in California and is notable for the unusually large amount of snowfall it receives compared to other Eastern Sierra peaks—about 400″ (1,000 cm) annually and about 300 out of 365 days of sunshine—due to its location in a low gap in the Sierra crest. In the summer months the ski gondolas are used by mountain bikers and tourists who wish to get a summit view of Long Valley Caldera directly to the east and Sierra peaks to the west, south and north. To the south of the mountain, there are a number of lakes that serve as tourist attractions in the summer
