Mammoth Mountain Snow Report

Closing weekend is upon us as the ski area is closing a couple of weeks early due to a big list of construction projects. 

This sure was a strange season. It was drier side for snowfall for the first three months and then wet for the second half. El Ninos can be tricky, and this one was forecast to be backloaded, and that is exactly what we got. 

Mammoth Pass ended up at 107% of average for the year. The snowfall total for the season is at 367.5 with 44.01 inches of precipitation in the snow that fell.

Snow Conditions for Closing Weekend: Here is what to expect for this last weekend of skiing and riding on Mammoth Mountain. The snow starts out firm on the groomers at 7:30 AM, crews are grooming and salting, so the snow sets up solid each night.

Stump Alley gets soft quickly, with Solitude off of chair five quickly following. This week, it’s been a bit cool during the mornings, so the top has been taking longer to get to a perfect corn-snow state. Looking at the weather forecast by Sunday and Closing Day Monday the top should get soft earlier in the morning.

Up Top, both Cornice Bowl and Scotties are groomed to spring perfection. Off the groomers up Top, you will find some fun spring corn adventure skiing and riding at this time. Climax, the Drops Out & Wipe Outs, and the Noids have all been great rides the last week, getting soft around 11 AM.

Lift Hours this weekend are from 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM. Here is what’s running: lifts 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 23, and Gondolas 1 and 2. The Canyon Lodge Parking area will be open Saturday into Memorial Day with lift access via Chair 16, the Village Gondola will also be open. They have pushed snow down the hill and created a cat-wide run back to Chair 16.

I want to thank Ryan Hurley for his photos over the last couple of months and Jake the Snake for confirming snow surface conditions. Unfortunately, I ended up with ACL and MCL sprains on opposite knees, along with a nasty left knee contusion. The good news is I can return to the snow next Fall and resume reporting and getting some great images and videos.

I am getting many people asking, “Why is Mammoth Mountain Closing on Memorial Day? It seems a bit early with the base on the hill.”

It’s simple: The Ski Area has a Summer Task list of construction work that will prevent winter operations from continuing into June.

On the list for this Summer:

#1 The Chair 1 Replacement Project – While significant progress is being made at the bottom of Chair 1, construction crews need to clear the road from Main Lodge up to MC Coy Station ASAP for the project to be done in time for the start of the 2024-25 Winter Season. Clearing the Mc Coy Station road will shut off access for skiers and riders from Chair 2.

#2 Gondola Mid Chalet Bull Wheel Replacement – This project must start the day after Memorial Day so the Gondola can reopen for Summer Operations in Late June. During this time, the Lift Maintenance crew will remove the old stage 1 bull wheel at Mc Coy Station and replace it with a new one. Staff will also complete the Gondola’s yearly maintenance, which takes two weeks for each of the two stages.

#3 Chairs 3 and 6 are getting new drives and control systems. This project will reduce the frequent stops that have occurred over the last two seasons. Completing just these two projects will take 5-6 months.

#4 The Ski Area also has a backlog of maintenance that needs to be completed, which did not get done in 2023 due to the Mountain not having a summer season. Yes, there was no out there until mid-August last Summer.

With all that must be done, you can see why they will close on Memorial Day this year. No worries; it’s only six months out until the next scheduled opening day, Friday, November 9th, 2024.

What’s up, Off the Mountain?

The current snowline in the Eastern Sierra is about 8000-9000 feet. Below that elevation, all forest roads and trails are melted out and ready for hiking, mountain biking, and 4 x 4 adventures.

Mammoth Lakes Basin: Walk in, Bike in, or take the Shuttle. Just know that when you get up into the Lake Mary area, you will find 1-3 feet of snow still in the ground. Local Marinas will be open, and you can access them via walk-in or the shuttle that will be running from the Village at Mammoth.

Woolly’s Adventure Park is open for the Memorial Day Weekend.

The Adventure Center at Main Lodge will also be open with the Rock Climb and the Ropes and Swings you’re all used to seeing.

Mountain Biking has now opened on all trails and forest service OHV roads below the 8000-foot level. Check out our detailed Eastern Sierra Mountain Biking website at this link.

Hiking Trails: With the snow quickly melting, a lot more hiking trails are opening up. This week, I would try out the Sherwin Lakes Trail. It’s perfect weather, and this one melts out much quicker than trails in other locations.

If you want to get into the full Spring zone, there is much to do in the Bishop area. Fishing Season, The Disc Golf Course at Mill Pond, and the Bishop Golf Course are open. As the area warms up by mid-month, floating the Owens River will also be an option for some fun.

Fishing season is wide open, and some great catches are being had in local lakes. I saw an 8-lb fish come out of Convict last week. Crowley is overflowing, so beware. Shore camping and fishing are out in some areas once again this spring. From what I have heard, it’s been a great bite so far.

Camping Season has begun, and a limited number of campgrounds are now open for early-season campers. Beware, it’s still cold at night, with lows near freezing. Here is a link to the USFS Camping page.

Click here for a complete list of activities in the area other than skiing and snowboarding on Mammoth Mountain.

Have a great day, Snowman Out…