If you’re like the ASO Mammoth team, when you see pictures of skiers ploughing through bowls or videos of snowboarders carving powder through trees, you want to do the same.
The good news is that Mammoth Mountain has all the snow and terrain your need to ride like a pro. The bad news is that if your skiing or snowboarding skills aren’t like a pro then all the snow and terrain in the world won’t change that fact. If you’re looking to push yourself by riding more challenging terrain, check out ASO Mammoth’s guide to the best progressive trails at Mammoth Mountain!
Cornice Bowl
Is there a better way to push your skills than by taking a ride to the top of the mountain?
The only thing we can think of is taking a ride to the top of the mountain and tackling one of Mammoth’s most popular black diamonds, Cornice Bowl. Cornice is a black diamond, but it is also a wide run with good visibility and no terrain like trees or rocks. The wide trail and steep incline make Cornice the perfect place for riders and skiers to push their carving and hone their skills. You can access Cornice by taking the Panorama Gondola or Chair 23 to the top and then using Upper Road Runner to traverse to the trailhead.
Cornice is a popular run, so remember that the downhill rider has the right-away and to be aware of others behind you when making wide turns.
Santiago Bowl
If you need a little more room to challenge your riding, then check out Santiago Bowl on the backside of the mountain.
Santiago Bowl is a short run, but its location on the far part of the backside makes it an ideal black diamond to push your skills without worrying about crowds. Like Cornice, Santiago Bowl is a wide run that’s great for big turns, but it’s also buffered by trees on each side. Trees are a blast when you’re riding through them for fun but can be dangerous to lose control nearby, so pay attention when you’re riding near the edges of the trail.
Haven’t The Foggiest and Back For More
We’ve grouped these two together because their trailheads are side by side, but don’t think they’re the same trails.
Their mid-mountain location makes both of these trails easily accessible and they’re both long runs that offer plenty of opportunities to test your skills. If you’re riding Haven’t The Foggiest, then expect a long run buffered by trees that narrows towards the end. If you’re looking to ride trees for the first time, then the trees off Haven’t The Foggiest are spaced out enough for a comfortable break from the trail. Back For More offers an easier route thanks to a wider trail that turns into a green towards the bottom, but the same spaced out trees and challenging incline make it a good choice to push your skills as well.
Arriba and Lower Arriba
Although Arriba and Lower Arriba are not the steepest runs, their length and potential to be clear of crowds due to their location on the backside makes them a great place to challenge yourself.
If you’re looking to make wide turns then you’ll have to get creative on Arriba and Lower Arriba because the trails are narrower than others on this list. If you ride all the way down though, you’ll have plenty of opportunities thanks to the length of the trails.
If you have any questions about Mammoth Mountain or need ski or snowboard gear that will help you progress your skills, stop by ASO Mammoth on your way in!