5 Budget-friendly Tips To Enhance Your Mammoth Lakes Experience

May 14, 2024

Mammoth Lakes has a wide variety of lodging options and to get the most for the least, recruit some buddies or additional family members.

Money Saving tips for your visit in Mammoth Lakes

Travel and lodge as a group

If an upscale mountain lodge is not within the budget, think about renting a condo away from the slopes. Mammoth Lakes is geographically small and the city has a fantastic public transit system throughout the winter, so lodging away from the slopes is an economical option.

High occupancy lodging options commonly offer many more amenities than traditional hotel rooms; such as a well-equipped kitchens, individual bedrooms, fireplaces, hot tubs, and outdoor decks. If a hotel is the ideal way to go, several conservatively priced chain hotels are available for booking in Mammoth Lakes. Click here for lodging options and comparisons.

Utilize the free transportation

The town of Mammoth Lakes and Mammoth Mountain together operate an incredible public transit system throughout the year. During the winter, bus rides to and from the ski resort are free from anywhere in the town, so there is no reason to drive. Park the car for the entire stay, relax, and let someone else do the driving for you!

The free transit system is comprised of several different lines, with service to all of Mammoth Mountain’s lodges. For a complete transit schedule and route map, stop by the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center on the way into town and pick up a free visitor’s guide or consult the online transportation guide.

Explore off the slopes

Mammoth Lakes is a full-service vacation destination. If a break is needed from the slopes, a plethora of options are available to entertain the time away. Try ice skating at the community rink or grab some sleds and hit the surrounding hills. How about a day snowshoeing or cross country skiing to the awe-inspiring Minaret Summit? No matter what adventure you choose, Mammoth Lakes can keep everyone busy!

As the snow melts, endless exploration awaits. Hike in the Lakes Basin or bike on the town loop. For a full list of the best non-winter activities (many of them free), click here.

Hit up happy hour

From 4-6pm, many of the dining establishments in Mammoth Lakes offer daily happy hour food and drink specials. Although early for some, going out directly after leaving the slopes has its perks and hitting a happy hour for a burger and a beer can easily save a few bucks.

For a complete list of happy hour offerings throughout town, grab a Mammoth Lakes Visitor’s Guide.

Take advantage of early and late season pricing

During the shoulder seasons, lodging and lift tickets are often significantly discounted in Mammoth Lakes. Generally, the busiest portion of the year is early December to early April and anytime before or after is considered the off season. To save some dough, plan a vacation during this time period and enjoy the crowd free slopes at a discounted rate.

With a little bit of planning, a trip to Mammoth Lakes can be accessible for everyone.

Author

Jason Abplanalp

Jason Abplanalp first discovered the Eastern Sierra lifestyle six years ago and after brief tenures in Colorado and Idaho, Jason returned to the mountain town he truly loves, Mammoth Lakes, CA. As an avid skier, mountain biker, hiker, and fisherman, Jason believes there is no better place for his family to call home. Jason has a PhD in the geological sciences and when he is not outside playing in the mountains or writing about his adventures, he is designing field studies and data generative programs for clients employed by the mineral extraction industry.