Mammoth in May

[Peaheartsmama]

Hi all. Looks like I will have an opportunity to visit Mammoth in the 2nd week of May. Looks like conditions will still be good! Any suggestions on places for a solo traveler to stay - close to or on the mountain itself? Ideally in the $150/night range max? (I’ve never been so please excuse if this is not realistic) my plan is to drive up from LA - I assume roads will be clear that time of year? Any other tips or things good to know would be great.

 

[Peaheartsmama]

Will I need chains?

 

[Peaheartsmama]

Also if I plan to ski greens mostly - which area should I try to stay in? seems like a huge area… how does it compare steepness wise vs say Stratton or tremblant? Are the greens comparable or harder? Thank you

 

[Peaheartsmama]

(Apologies for the multiple messages) Seems like there will be very limited green terrain open by May - mostly around the discovery lift — dare I venture into the easier blues? If so which blues off the main lodge would you suggest? Would Broadway or St Anton be options in that area? Or perhaps the blues off chair 12?

 

[Peaheartsmama]

Lastly - would you pick a 1BR in juniper Spings for around $30 less a night , vs a hotel room in the mammoth mountian inn which will be closer to green terrain and will still be ski in-out by then? (Thank you again)

 

[LahSkier]

Have you looked at lodging in the Village? The shuttle goes straight up to Main Lodge. IMHO the Mammoth Mountain Inn is somewhat run down and you’re a ways from town so when you’re done skiing you won’t have much to do. Juniper Springs is always our first choice in the winter months but again there isn’t anything close by. I think as a solo traveler you’d enjoy the Village. I also think you’d be fine on the Blue runs you mentioned- they’re very wide and shouldn’t be crowded at all so you can take your time and make wide turns. You can also take the Gondola up to the top to take in the scenery. There’s a Blue run, Roadrunner that you can take down but it’s pretty narrow so be sure you are very comfortable before taking that. You can download on the Gondola if you’re unsure. Enjoy your trip!!

 

[LahSkier]

Just reread your post - once you’re comfortable on Broadway and St Anton then you’d probably enjoy Chair 12. There’s also a chance they’ll open Chair 7 out of Canyon Lodge - if you’re there on a weekend if so you’d enjoy those Greens!

 

[Jenny]

@mustski @vickieh @contesstant will probably have good info for you. I'm almost sure I’ve seen @mustski say that part of the inn has been renovated recently.

 

[VickiK]

Hi, @Peaheartsmama
@skibum4ever was just at Mammoth, she's more feet-on-the-ground than I am. I'll be going this Sunday and can update you next week. However, another friend sent me this below 3 days ago. By May I suspect the operations at Eagle Lodge and Canyon Lodge will have ceased.

It's a good idea to have chains in the car. If you're stopped and asked by the Calif Highway Patrol, at least you can answer 'yes'. Putting them on or not...you'll have to judge the conditions, your car, your tires, and your comfort level of going without. It's been such a crazy snow year, I don't want to second-guess what May 2023 will be like.

With good conditions, the drive up from L.A. once you leave the city is easy and pleasant; it takes about 5-6 hrs.

Where to stay...ask @skibum4ever (her condo is on VRBO). Also, Mammoth Estates is a large complex and has studios that are very comfortable, and it's an easy walk to the Village where you'll find shops & restaurants. For ski in/out, check out the Mammoth Mountain Inn, ask @mustski for more tips. Feel free to PM me too.

 

[Peaheartsmama]

Thank you I will look into the village then- any favorites? This would be booked outside of the mammoth website right? Also any suggestions on activities for non-skiers during that timeframe? I see that the Nordic center and snow tubing has closed for the season.

 

[Peaheartsmama]

Thanks Vicki! I would definitely appreciate a report when you come back! I’ve never been there before and it seems like such a large area!

 

[Jenny]

Hi, @Peaheartsmama
@skibum4ever was just at Mammoth, she's more feet-on-the-ground than I am. I'll be going this Sunday and can update you next week. However, another friend sent me this below 3 days ago. By May I suspect the operations at Eagle Lodge and Canyon Lodge will have ceased.

It's a good idea to have chains in the car. If you're stopped and asked by the Calif Highway Patrol, at least you can answer 'yes'. Putting them on or not...you'll have to judge the conditions, your car, your tires, and your comfort level of going without. It's been such a crazy snow year, I don't want to second-guess what May 2023 will be like.

With good conditions, the drive up from L.A. once you leave the city is easy and pleasant; it takes about 5-6 hrs.

Where to stay...ask @skibum4ever (her condo is on VRBO). Also, Mammoth Estates is a large complex and has studios that are very comfortable, and it's an easy walk to the Village where you'll find shops & restaurants. For ski in/out, check out the Mammoth Mountain Inn, ask @mustski for more tips. Feel free to PM me too.



View attachment 21167

Oops, I meant you, not the other Vickie!

 

[Peaheartsmama]

Good to know about the chains - I don’t even know how to use those - or where to get them - can I rent them?

 

[contesstant]

Thanks Vicki! I would definitely appreciate a report when you come back! I’ve never been there before and it seems like such a large area!

It lives up to its name for sure!
Mammoth's blues are pretty mellow overall IIRC. It's been several years since I skied there. That is an amazing area overall so you might want to set aside some time to sight see! The Bode ghost town is really cool. Not sure if it'll still be under snow or not or if the road to it will be navigable by then.

 

[mustski]

I enjoy staying at the Mammoth Mountain Inn but you need to be sure to get into the main building. It’s been renovated. It doesn’t have kitchens in the main building- just hotel rooms. They are nice and the restaurant is good. Juniper Springs is a very nice hotel with condos, including kitchens. The desks should be good in May because that part of the mountain is closed. They run their own shuttle and drop you where you need to go - grocery store, main parking lot/gondola, village. It’s a nice perk. I Audi really like the Westin but it’s $$$. There are some units in VRBO for less so worth looking around.

 

[mustski]

Sorry for the typo above … the prices should be good ( not desks?

I also (not Audi) like the Westin! Sheesh. I hate typing on my phone.

 

[LahSkier]

There’s usually quite a few units at the Westin on VRBO since they’re individually owned. You might be able to get a good deal since it’s technically “shoulder season”.

 

[Peaheartsmama]

Looks like a family member is going to let us use his condo in the village! So we are set accommodations wise so excited! Save some snow for us!

 

[LahSkier]

Oh that will be perfect!

 

[santacruz skier]

I stayed at the Westin during Diva West in 2018 (I think) and it was quite nice!