Just because there will be crowds on Martin Luther King Jr. weekend doesn’t mean you should stay away. Thank to Mammoth Mountain’s massive amount of terrain, excellent conditions this season, and more snow coming, you can still have some of the best days of your season over the holiday weekend.
With the crowds though, you will need to take caution and do some extra planning for it to happen. To help you out the team at ASO Mammoth has put together a few tips on how you can make the most out of Martin Luther King Jr. weekend this year. Start planning by reading below!
Lift Tickets and Where to Stay
Even though Martin Luther King Jr. weekend is nearly here you can still take advantage of discounted lift tickets. Right now, Mammoth Mountain is offering a deal for anyone staying 4 nights over the weekend. If you stay at The Village Lodge, Juniper Springs Resort, Tamarack Lodge, or Mammoth Mountain Inn for 4 nights or more you will get a $400 credit to use around the resort. Everything from hotel rooms and studios all the way to entire cabins are open for you to stay in and get $400, so if you’re still looking for a place to stay Mammoth is giving you plenty of last minute options. Along the same lines, Mammoth is also offering discounts based on the number of days you buy a ticket for.
What To Do
You go to Mammoth Mountain to ride and ski, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy yourself when the mountain closes too. On Friday, January 18th there is a Weekend Après Party at Canyon lodge from 1- 6pm that offers great drinks, even better views, and live entertainment. The following Saturday, the mountain will be buzzing with another Weekend Après Party, a parade featuring Wooly, and an Unbound Slopestyle competition all happening.
Where to Ride
The fun isn’t limited to Mountain though.
Just under an hour away from Mammoth, June Mountain offers less terrain but is also likely to be less crowded than Mammoth. Plus, there is another Après Party going on at June Mountain if you’re looking to relax and enjoy some drinks, hot cocoa, and music.
The big question many riders and skiers will come across is where to ride so they can avoid the holiday weekend crowds. If you’re learning to ride, then you’ll want to stick to the lower parts of the mountain where other skiers are naturally riding more cautiously due to the number of people. A safe bet is to start around the lodges and work your way up if your skills are progressing or you need to get away from the crowds. As we said in our guide to the top trails at Mammoth Mountain, beginners are going to want to stay near the green runs at Canyon, Eagle, and Main lodge. While all of the lodges are safe bets for easy riding, Canyon and Main lodge both have a higher concentration of green runs nearby.
If you’re at Canyon lodge, then chair 17 is a quick ride to the top of several green runs including Spring Canyon, Round About, and Little Bird.
If you have the skill to ride the intermediate and advanced runs then you should check out our guide on where to ride to avoid crowds. The backside of the mountain is one of the first places to turn for fewer crowds, but there is limited terrain and it can be windier than the front. No matter where you ride, take extra caution as the mountain will be especially crowded. If you have any questions or last minute gear needs, stop by ASO Mammoth and we will be happy to help!