Mammoth Information

Apres-ski

Mammoth has a generally laid back après-ski vibe, but a few establishments offer the hedonism many skiers seek as the sun goes down.

The Swiss-style Yodler Bar & Pub (tel: +1 760 934 0636), with its outdoor patio, is often busy as the ski day ends, and is the best place to try the Yodler's beers, flatbreads and salads.

Alternatively, Petra's in the Alpenhof Lodge (tel: +1 760 934 3500; www.alpenhof-lodge.com) offers a more relaxed ambience for wine lovers.

Later on, head to Lakanuki (tel: +1 760 934 7447; www.lakanuki.net), a tropical themed bar with hula dancing in the centre of the village. Here, you can sip tropical cocktails until the early hours and join in the regular events.

Eating out

The choice of dining establishments in Mammoth continues to expand and there are now more than 70 restaurants and cafes, covering the full range of budgets as well as an eclectic mix of dining styles and experiences.

The Mogul restaurant (tel: +1 760 934 3039; www.themogul.com) has established a reputation with the locals as one of the best eateries in town with copious portions of quality cuisine served up by attentive staff.

Toomeys (tel: +1 706 924 4408; www.toomeyscatering.com) is another equally popular venue run by chef Matt Toomey - the seafood dishes are normally especially good.

The Lakefront Restaurant in the historic 1920s-built Tamarack Lodge (tel: +1 760 934 2442; www.tamaracklodge.com) offers fine California-French dining. The restaurant employs French chef Frederic Pierrel, who mixes his classical French training with regional ingredients.

Other options found dotted throughout the resort and Mammoth Lakes include Chinese, Greek, Indian, Italian, Japanese, Mexican and Thai restaurants, as well as specialist steakhouses, vegetarian restaurants and Mediterranean options.

Resort Information

Beyond the slopes

There's plenty to do in Mammoth besides ski and board.

Staying on the snow, thrill-seekers can sign up for Mammoth Snowmobile Adventures, with over 120km (75 miles) of trails to explore. At the top of the Panorama gondola, the Top of the Sierra Interpretive Centre educates visitors about the surrounding area and the dynamic nature of the Eastern Sierra. Sleigh rides, ice skating, cross-country skiing, snow tubing and dog sledding are also available.

At the town of Mammoth Lakes there's even more on offer, including art galleries, a cinema, a museum and a theatre. There's also the 12 lane Rock 'n' Bowl 10 pin bowling centre (tel: +1 760 934 4200; www.mammothrocknbowl.com) that's always very popular with adults and children.

Family fun

Mammoth ski resort's family ski facilities begin at the resort's Family Centre, located in the Mountain Centre at The Village at Mammoth (www.villageatmammoth.com). This state-of-the-art area offers a hassle-free experience for guests with children aged between four and 12. Hire and tuition are arranged and the centre links directly to the village gondola, which whisks groups up to the ski slopes in six minutes. Once on the mountain, there are special family fun parks and large stretches of terrain suitable for a family of mixed abilities, most of which is located at the base of the hill.

Non-ski childcare is offered at the resort's Mammoth Child Care (tel: +1 800 626 6684) for children up to age 12.

Retail therapy

There are about 20 shops in Mammoth village and at the base of the ski slopes, with a further 50 or so in Mammoth Lakes below. There's a good range of options here, from children's clothes purveyor Trendy Tots (tel: +1 760 934 5655) to art dealer Mammoth Gallery (tel: +1 760 934 6120; www.mammothgallery.com).

Splashing out

Mammoth ski resort hosts snowcat dinners (tel: +1 800 626 6684) on Friday and Saturday nights. Guests meet at the Mammoth Mountain Inn for a glass of champagne, before climbing aboard one of Mammoth's state-of-the-art snowcats for a ride up to Parallax restaurant at McCoy Station for a five-course dinner.

Hotels

Apart from the new slopeside developments, most of the accommodation in Mammoth is situated fairly far from the slopes. Although there are a few hotels in Mammoth, the majority of accommodation is in the form of lodges that are either run like a hotel or have their own self-catering apartments – most are timber-clad in a traditional style for an attractive rustic ambience. The closest base to the slopes is Canyon Lodge, where there is a good variety of hotels and apartments.

Luxury

Moderate

Cheap