Bret Bihler, Realtor ®

Bret Bihler, Realtor®

Mammoth Lake Area Guide

Mammoth Lakes, CA Area Guide

Mammoth Lakes is a place unlike any other. A place where the towering peaks of the Eastern Sierra frames a majestic environment of incredible beauty.

A place that attracted visionaries such as Ansel Adams and John Muir. A place made for creating memories for you, your family and your grandchildren – on our ski runs, on our biking trails, or during a stroll down Main Street.

But just as important, Mammoth Lakes welcomes you as you are.

No pretenses...No judgments.

Just pure High Sierra enjoyment in one of the world's most spectacular playgrounds.

Mammoth Calendar of Events

Mammoth downhill skiing

Sierra Star Golf Course

Golf at Snowcreek

Mammoth Fishing

Mammoth Shopping

Mammoth Dining

You wouldn’t think just four square miles could hold so much fun, but it does and when you put a name to it, that name is Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort.

It was a long time in the making though, taking almost 200,000 years of violent volcanic eruptions to create the majestic peaks outdoor buffs throughout the world have come to know and love.

Originally hidden from most who came in the area, in 1857 German miners got lost in the mountains found a ledge of gold at the head waters of the Owens Valley River. Settling in, they named the area the Lost Cement Mine and that’s what it was called when the town that had boomed with two newspapers, hotels and saloons began to die. By 1880 everything from poor mine yields and embezzlement, fire and severe winters had caused most to abandon the place. A few stayed though and since the Mammoth Mining Company, the biggest business in town was so prominent, the few who remained eventually forgot it was called the Lost Cement Mine and the name Mammoth stuck.

By the end of the California gold rush, the state had become more populated and while Mammoth had no gold to speak of, the miners who lived in the area began to speak of its beauty. The majestic scenery and now covered valleys soon brought visitors there for skiing and by the end of the twentieth century it had become a resort area populated by outdoor people who loved to ski and hike and enjoy the great outdoors.

In the 30’s someone had the idea to take a portable tow rope and tie it to a Model A Ford. using it to pull skiers to the top of the mountain. It worked great, but Dave McCoy was about to change all that. Dave bought the rights to the first ski lift for $85. It was portable and could be moved around to different places on the mountain, but Dave wanted something a little more efficient. By the 40’s he had added a permanent tow rope and placed a warming hut close by, a building that would eventually grow and become known as the Main Lodge. By 1955, McCoy had added the first ski chair lift, which he named, appropriately enough, Chair 1.

Around the same time, people in the California government began to realize there was a lot of potential for income in developing Mammoth as a resort. Owned by the state, they put it up for bid through the U.S. Forest Service, but amazingly enough, they had no takers. Mr. McCoy, whose love of the Mammoth area was well known, eventually ended up winning the land by default. He kept adding ski lifts and the old movie slogan “If you build it, they will come” was proved true. A ski village began to grow up around the mountain and in 1986, the man who couldn’t buy the land in the 50’s bought nearby June Mountain and began the task of connecting it to Mammoth with groomed runs, chair lifts, a resort transportation system.

Today, Mammoth is one of the largest and most sought after resort spots for skiers and while it still maintains the ski village ambience, it can no longer be said that there’s nothing to do.

The first thing most people ask about after the skiing is the Scenic Gondola Ride. Suspended over 11,000 feet in the air, the 360 degree view of the mountain is stunning and you’ll find yourself breathless, just from the scenery. Don’t think that you’re done when you get to the top though. Once you get out of the gondola, there’s still a lot to do. The Top of the Sierra Interpretive Center and the Top of the Sierra café are just two things you’ll love once you get there.

The way back down to the resort is the way back to adventure. The Adventure Center is ready for you with everything from a rock climbing to skiing. And don’t think that because there’s not a lot of snow, there’s nothing to do in the summer!

With 75 restaurants and 93 shops, you can eat and find everything from clothes to arts and crafts and fine art galleries. If you don’t feel like shopping, the resorts offer the usual, swimming, tennis and spas. But if you’re feeling like you want to try something new, just check out the Hot Air Ballooning or the SUV Off Road Tours.

Yosemite National Park is right there as are the world famous Mammoth Caves, a place with a rich history of its own that will amaze you.

Mammoth Caves go on for miles and as you walk in the front, don’t be surprised if your mouth opens and a “Wow” Escapes.

Horseback riding, golf and hiking can be added to the mix and at the end of the day, you’ll find yourself relaxing by a fire or out on the deck having a delicious dinner, exhausted but happy. There’s so much to do and see in Mammoth, you might even want to move there!

When you do, there are annual events that will knock your socks off, including the Mammoth Lakes Jazz Jubilee in July, the Mammoth Festival and the tree lighting ceremony in December. Take the kids to the Hayden Cabin and show them the history of the California Gold rush or something we know they’ll love, the Bodie Ghost Town. Just remember not to say ‘boo’ too loud.

Even if it was the chance to ski the famous Mammoth that brought you here, you’ll stay for all the other things that wait for you. Local residents love it here and whether you’ve decided to make it your yearly vacation spot or your home, Mammoth is the place for you.