Started the year with a weekend getaway to Mammoth Lakes CA for the boyfriend’s birthday. Little did I know this trip would turn into no ordinary adventure. The weekend we were there happened to be the snowstorm of the century – a record high snowfall of 212″ and counting. Not only did this little Texan survive a snow blizzard, but I also had quite the adventure walking through it!
SEE ALSO: 9 Top Things To Do In New Orleans During Mardi Gras
Mammoth Lakes is positioned within the heart of the legendary Sierra Nevada Mountains, just a convenient 45-minute flight from San Francisco. I’m sure you’ve heard of the popular Lake Tahoe but it can be very crowded. For those looking for the ultimate ski adventure and wanting to ski through summer this year (Mammoth Lakes estimates the snow will last until July) – go to Mammoth Lakes. Read on for where to eat, stay, and do in Mammoth Lakes CA!
WHERE TO EAT IN MAMMOTH LAKES CA
WHITE BARK RESTAURANT
Located right inside the Westin, White Bark Restaurant was one of our favorite restaurants in Mammoth Lakes. We flew into Mammoth Lakes rather late in the evening so we headed downstairs to dine at White Bark Restaurant. To our surprise, dinner was really good – especially the steak. We dined at White Bark Restaurant for breakfast every morning when we were in Mammoth Lakes.
50 Hillside Dr, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546, westinmammoth.com
BLACK VELVET COFFEE
Stop by Black Velvet Coffee for a cup of organic and fair trade coffee. The beans are roasted fresh per order in Mammoth Lakes California.
3343 Main St, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546, blackvelvetcoffee.com
GOMEZ’S
Fun fact: Gomez’s has the second largest tequila collection IN THE WORLD. With over 500 bottles at elevation 8054 feet and home of the mammoth margarita. I thought everything was bigger in Texas. After a day on the slopes, Tex-mex and margaritas at Gomez’s is the perfect way to end the night.
100 Canyon Blvd, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546, gomezs.com
WHERE TO STAY IN MAMMOTH LAKES CA
WESTIN
While there’s not a ton of hotel options in Mammoth Lakes, the Westin is the best place to stay! It’s conveniently located next to The Village where you take the gondola up to Mammoth Mountain.
50 Hillside Dr, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546, westinmammoth.com
WHAT TO DO IN MAMMOTH LAKES CA
RIDE THE GONDOLA
The gondola rides from Mammoth Village to Canyon Lodge provide a 360° aerial panorama view of Mammoth – plus it’s FREE.
60 Hillside Dr, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
SKIING ON MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN
My first time skiing and it’ll be hard to top this experience again. 200 feet of extra powdr with the most incredible view down Mammoth Mountain. After a two and half hour lesson private lesson, I was zipping down the mountain!
Mammoth Mountain, Mammoth Lakes, California
CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING IN SHADY REST PARK
We rented skis from Brian’s Bicycles and Cross Country Skis and went cross-country skiing at Shady Rest Park. Slide left, slide right – after 20 minutes I finally got the hang of it! The view of Mammoth Mountain from Shady Rest Park was incredible.
Sawmill Cutoff, Mammoth Lakes, CA, mammothtrails.org/destination/27/shady-rest-park/
SHOPPING IN THE VILLAGE
The Village has tons of local shops and restaurants to shop and dine. Check out their calendar for events: http://villageatmammoth.com/events/
6201 Minaret Road, Mammoth Lakes, California
BOWLING AT MAMMOTH ROCK ‘N’ BOWL
Mammoth Rock ‘n’ Bowl is Mammoth’s newest and hippest entertainment hub with bowling, foosball, darts, and ping pong. They also serve food and drinks!
Mammoth Rock ‘n’ Bowl, 3029 Chateau Rd, Mammoth Lakes, CA, mammothrocknbowl.com