Mammoth Mountain is home to some of the best skiing and snowboarding on Earth, but that’s not all it has to offer. Not only does Mammoth have several mountain clinics, classes, and events, but it also offers an entire lodge and set of trails dedicated to cross country skiing.
With as many cross country skiing trails options as there are at Mammoth Mountain, the team at ASO Mammothhas put together a guide to help you navigate the cross country skiing area as well as how you can access it and stay safe while doing so. Check it out below!
How to Access the Trails
To make it to any of the trails in the cross country skiing area, you will need to begin at or near Tamarack Lodge where you will find parking, food, and restrooms as well as kiosks where you can purchase trail passes needed to use the groomed trails.
From Tamarack Lodge, you will have access to Main St, which is a groomed 3 km snowshoe trail, as well as Twin Lakes Road and Twin lakes Loop which are two green ski trails. Lastly, if you’re in the area to walk the public access trail, Lake Mary Trail, you will need to either take Main St up to Lake Mary from the lodge or start at the Lake Mary trailhead further down the access road.
How to Use the Public Access Corridor
Lake Mary Road is a unique trail as it offers access to cross country skiers as well as the general public. As Lake Mary Road runs throughout the entire area and can be used to access most of the trails, it is important to note how to use the public access corridor next to the cross country skiing trail.
While the public access corridor is free and open to the public for hiking, snowshoeing, and skiing as well as dogs on a leash no longer than 6-foot, to use the cross country skiing trails you must have a visible Tamarack Trail pass.
How to Access the Expert Trails
While the majority of the cross country skiing trails are either beginner or intermediate difficulty, there are several expert trails that only travel in one direction and must be accessed using other trails as a result. For example, in order to access Bobby’s Blast you must either take Lake Mary Road up to Twin Lake Road where you will find the intersection of Twin Lakes and Bobby’s Blast or take Ueli’s Allee and access it where the trails intersect.
Similarly, Lucky Strike and Mineshaft are two expert trails that can only be accessed at certain intersections, so if you will be using them make sure you have reviewed the trail map beforehand to avoid getting lost along the way.
Avoid Going off Trail
Although a wonderful place to play and explore, Mammoth Mountain is an active volcano and as a result there are areas that require caution.
For example, near the end of Lake Mary Road where the trail turns into Falls Tract there is an CO2 hazard area where vents are releasing CO2 which can pool and form dangerous pockets. For this reason, it is vital that you obey all trail markers and avoid going off trail.There are plenty of trails of varying difficulties to keep you entertained for a full day and then some at Mammoth Mountain’s cross country skiing area, so if you’re looking for a fun way to explore check it out. If you have any questions or need ski and snowboard rentals, stop by ASO Mammoth on your way over for the best gear and advice on the mountain!