Heading to Mammoth Mountain After a Big Storm? Here’s What You Need to Know
If you’re like the team at ASO Mammoth then you don’t need any excuses to head for the hills, but when snow falls on Mammoth Mountain people from all over California, the American West, and the world are right there with us.
Our mission is to share the best of Mammoth Mountain, so the ASO team has put together a quick list of tips on what to know when visiting Mammoth after a storm. Check it out below before your trip to Mammoth, and make sure you stop by ASO Mammoth for the best ski and snowboard gear and rentals in Mammoth Lakes!
Check for Mountain Closures Before Leaving
Most people heading for Mammoth Mountain after a storm only think about the snow, but the storms that bring that snow can also bring dangerous conditions that close parts of or even the entire mountain.
While heavy snow can make parts of the mountain unsafe to ride, most often the weather that shuts down Mammoth is heavy wind. Mammoth Mountain’s high elevation and the geography surrounding it means that strong winds are common, especially during heavy storms. Typically, the first part of the mountain to close is either the backside or the summit, so if you want to ride either of those areas then check to see if high winds are likely to close parts of Mammoth!
Check Road Conditions Before You Drive
Every skier and snowboarder visiting Mammoth Mountain is focused on the snow on the slopes, but you can’t forget that the snow falls on the roads surrounding the mountain too!
Even though Mammoth Mountain is high in the Eastern Sierra Mountains, the drive to the slopes is smooth and maintained by some of the best road crews in the world. However, even they can’t plow fast enough to keep up with Eastern Sierra snow.
Always check for road closures and chain controls before heading to Mammoth Mountain after a storm so you never have to cut your visit short. Caltrans is the source for California road closure information, but you’ll need to search for specific information on the road conditions leading to Mammoth Lakes depending on where you’re coming from.
To do so, click here and then type the number of the highway you’ll be riding into Mammoth Lakes on to see current road closures and chain effects
Drive Carefully and Carry Chains
Once you hit the road, you won’t be alone. If there’s a storm hitting Mammoth Mountain then people will be flocking to it, so be ready to share the road and drive responsibly.
Be especially careful when there is snow on the road. Even if you’re experienced at driving through snow, the powder at Mammoth Mountain is never good enough to put yourself or others at risk to reach it. Mammoth Mountain has enough snow for everyone, so drive carefully and always carry chains that you can easily install in case more snow falls!
Hit Chair 22 and Highway Express
There’s never a bad place to ride at Mammoth Mountain after a storm, but if you’re an expert who wants to push your skills while enjoying the best snow on Earth then head for Chair 22 or Highway Express.
The double black diamonds off Chair 22 are steep, covered in trees, and deep after a storm, and Chair 22 picks people up right at the bottom of them so that they can enjoy them all over again. The double blacks off Highway Express offer the best snow on Mammoth Mountain and can’t be missed after a storm!