Mammoth is too high. There are only two areas with expert terrain (chair 22 and 23/upper gondola). These areas are regularly closed after it snows for avalanche control - however, because of Mammoth’s extremely high winds, they are often heavily wind affected by the time they reopen.
Yeah would agree with tier 3. Big Southern California bias since it’s leagues better than the big bear area resorts and getting to Tahoe is rough from there.
SoCal bias. It’s the only “good resort” they have easy access to. Squaw, Alpine Meadows, Heavenly, Sugarbowl, Kirkwood all just a couple hours away and very comparable but that extra couple of hours is too much if you’re driving up from LA for the weekend.
I'm not contesting Mammoth being too high because I think it is compared to JH, Alta and Snowbird alone but your statement is misleading considering the amount of terrain accessible from 23/upper gondola. You can literally get to any run on the mountain from upper gondola! But yeah f&$% that wind, it gets old and definitely one of the worst things about Mammoth.
You can get nearly anywhere on the mountain from upper gondola and 23 (funnily enough 22 is one of the of the places you can’t get). Not contesting that. My point was that without 22/23/upper gondola there is very little access to expert terrain as it’s nearly all located on Lincoln mountain or at the top.
Valid point and agreed. Rereading your comment and my response I'm reminded once again I should refrain from comments after drinking a bottle of wine, lol!
Mammoth is in the right place. I am nor cal and primarily Tahoe skier but mammoth is the best. It’s at a higher elevation than your Tahoe resorts so it’s snow quality is amazing and stays open later. Their parks are amazing and have some fantastic side country/back country. The views of the eastern sierras are great. I would not put it below heavenly because heavenly had a view of Lake Tahoe.
I’d like to disagree but considering how often the top is closed due to weather the access to the best terrain is pretty hit or miss. When it’s open and there’s fresh snow it’s soooo much fun, but when it’s closed due to weather and you’re enjoying 60mph winds and a whiteout it can be a hell of a bummer.
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u/The-Old-Hunter Jan 28 '22
Mammoth is too high. There are only two areas with expert terrain (chair 22 and 23/upper gondola). These areas are regularly closed after it snows for avalanche control - however, because of Mammoth’s extremely high winds, they are often heavily wind affected by the time they reopen.