Family-Friendly Skiing and Snowboarding at Mammoth Mountain

November 21, 2023

Located at 11,053 feet (3,369 m), Mammoth Mountain receives an average of 400 inches (1,0156 cm) of snow a year. Lifts start running in November and often transport happy visitors up the slopes well into June and July.

Mammoth consists of three lodges: Main Lodge, Canyon Lodge and Eagle Lodge. Combined the lodges include a total of 150 named trails, 11 terrain parks, and 3,500 acres (15% expert; 20% advanced; 40% intermediate; 25% beginner) of skiable terrain. The trio of lodges offer family-friendly activities and accessibility making Mammoth Mountain a source of endless winter fun.

Ski And Snowboard Lessons & Rentals

If you or your children are new to the slopes, taking lessons is the quickest way to build confidence and skill. Children’s lessons are offered for kids as young as three and include childcare options allowing parents to drop off their kids and enjoy time on the slopes or attend lessons themselves.

Lessons and equipment rentals are offered at all three lodges.

Private Lessons

Private lessons are available for all levels, ages 3+. Up to four friends or family members can join you in a private lesson. Signing up for a personal class like this with one of Mammoth’s world-class instructors is the quickest way to take your skiing or snowboarding to the next level.

Kids Group Lessons

Children ages 3 to 12 can participate in group ski and snowboard lessons at Mammoth Mountain. Morning and afternoon sessions are available to kids ages 3-4 and full and half-day lessons are available to kids ages 5-7 and 8-12. Lunch is included with full-day kid lessons.

Mammoth Mountain also offers the family-friendly add-on of daycare for small children ages 3-4 before or after their half-day lesson.

Adults and Teens Group Lessons

Adult lessons (age 13+) are based on ability level including beginner, intermediate or advanced skiing and snowboarding. Two morning sessions and an afternoon session are available.

Visit the Mammoth Mountain website to learn more about lesson options and packages that include your lift ticket and rentals with the lesson.

Adaptive Lessons

Ski and snowboard lessons are available for children and adults with disabilities through Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra, a volunteer-based non-profit organization. For more information, visit the Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra website.

Mammoth Mountain Lift Tickets

At Mammoth Mountain children four and under ski for free. All skiers/riders need a valid ticket to load the chairlifts and gondola, so visit a ticket window and show proof of age to get your little ones a free single or multi-day ticket.

Lift tickets can be purchased online at the Mammoth Mountain Website and include options for day, multi-day, and season prices.

Another family-friendly option is the Beginner Ticket, which is only available for purchase at a ticket window and offers lift access to beginner chairlifts 7, 11, 15 & 17 (as opposed to the entire mountain) for a discounted rate.

Chair Lifts And Runs For Families

Main Lodge, Canyon Lodge and Eagle Lodge offer runs accessible for the whole family including the youngest members of your group or those who are just getting started no matter what their age.

At Main Lodge, try out Discovery (Chair 11) and ride down the gentle greens of Apple Pie, Sesame Street, or Road Runner. From Chair 11, the more adventurous can go through the intermediate area of Wooly’s Woods.

At Canyon try the Schoolyard Express (Chair 17). Your family can zip down runs like Little Bird, Ginger Bread, Hansel, and School Yard. Or get a little daring, and give Wonderland Playground and its freestyle terrain a go.

Eagle Lodge offers Eagle Express (Chair 15). From Eagle Express, your family can ride down blues like Christmas Tree and Water Tank or take some of Eagle’s famously relaxed greens like Holiday and Pumpkin.

family of four standing on mountain trail with skis

Family-friendly On-mountain Dining

All three lodges offer dining options for even the pickiest of eaters.

At Main Lodge, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available at Green V.

McCoy Station is another favorite on-mountain dining option. A quick (and scenic) gondola ride from Main, your family will enjoy the views and a wide selection of tasty food at McCoy.

If you’re near Stump Alley Express (Chair 2), eat at The Mill. It’s famous for its house-made pulled pork, smoked tri-tip, and BBQ. Your kids will love the extensive sundeck and outdoor fire pit.

Family Events At Mammoth Mountain

Mammoth Mountain offers both seasonal and everyday events to delight the whole family. One of the most anticipated, The Night of Lights at Canyon Lodge in December, includes a celebration packed with family-friendly activities, live music, fireworks, a torchlight parade and more.

Daily fun on the slopes includes watching for Wooly, the mascot of Mammoth Mountain, who can be seen riding the lifts, shredding down the slopes, and taking pictures with kids and grown-ups too.

Also check out the Eleven53 Interpretative Center & Café, located at the very top of Mammoth Mountain. Gondolas leave from Main Lodge that take you to the peak of the mountain where kids can explore, learn about wildlife of the Sierra Nevada, and take a picture at top of the mountain, a dizzying height of 11,053 feet (3,369 meters).

Getting To Mammoth Mountain

By Shuttle

Eastern Sierra Transit Authority (ESTA) provides free roundtrip shuttle service to all three of Mammoth Mountain’s lodges. The shuttle is the recommended mode of transportation to Mammoth Mountain, as traffic by car can be heavy during holidays and weekends.

The Red Line bus runs to Main Lodge. The Blue Line bus serves Canyon Lodge, and the Yellow Line provides transportation to Eagle Lodge. Access all three shuttles from The Village at Mammoth or designated stops along the routes. A gondola also runs from The Village at Mammoth to Canyon Lodge. Learn more about the free shuttles to Mammoth Mountain here.

By Car

Mammoth Mountain lodges are also easily accessible by car. Parking at all Mammoth Mountain lodges is free, although paid premium parking options are available. A number of Mammoth Lakes taxi and shuttle services also provide transportation to Mammoth Mountain.

Author

Meghan Miranda

Meghan has been living and playing in Mammoth Lakes since 2016. She enjoys any outdoor activities that her dogs can tag along for. See more of Meghan's adventures on her blog Meg Moves Mountains.