This season has been a rough one for Colorado skiers and snowboarders. The powder days have been few and far between, and when they have come, the I-70 traffic has turned every storm into a parking lot experience.
Next time you’re planning to head up I-70 for access to the mountains for a weekend, especially if you’re coming from the Denver area (or are planning to fly into Denver and travel from the airport), consider making the trip to Mammoth Mountain in California instead. It’s a lot easier than you might think.
The Flight: What to Actually Expect
Getting to Mammoth from Denver is shockingly easy. United Airlines offers direct flights from Denver International Airport to Bishop Airport throughout much of the year, taking a short two hours to land just 45 minutes from the ski resort. Flights run daily throughout most of the winter, slowing down and stopping in the spring before kicking back on for summer travel.
Bishop Airport is worth experiencing on its own, featuring a single gate, outdoor baggage claim, and a very good Thai restaurant. Once you’ve collected your skis and gear, you can hop in a shared taxi (that you’ve booked ahead of time here) straight up to the mountain. No need to worry about a rental car, though they’re there if you need one. It’s a longer commute from Denver to Mammoth than it is to get to the Rocky Mountain ski areas, but it’s arguably a much more exciting commute.
Mammoth vs. the Front Range
Sadly during my recent visit to Mammoth, much of the mountain was closed due to high winds and rain, but the mountain is typically quite the behemoth. An impressive 3,100 feet of vertical rise comes with over 3,500 acres of skiable terrain, much of which is proper expert terrain off the Panorama Gondola or Chair 23. The resort does get crowds but they typically spread out across the resort much better than other ski areas, meaning you’re not likely to encounter enormous lift lines.
If you’re the kind of person who values the après experience, Mammoth Mountain is arguably one of the best places in the country. The weekend après parties at Canyon Lodge are legendary, and there’s plenty of great restaurants and bars to enjoy some more mellow après. The drink menus at both Shelter Distilling and Mammoth Brewing Company are plentiful, and they’ve got great food. If you’re in the mood for a great cheeseburger, make sure you check out Burgers Restaurant, and if you want more of the dive bar experience, head to the Clocktower Cellar under the Alpenhof Lodge.
The Other Thing: Mammoth Stays Open Longer Than Almost Anyone
Colorado’s spring skiing is a great time, but it’s nothing compared to the near-endless season that Mammoth tends to experience. They’ve already extended their season through Memorial Day for this season, and the resort has stayed open as late as August in record years. The “Second Season”, as they call it, is full of great deals and even better times, with warm weather-focused events and parties running until the lifts close.
The Window Is Still Open – Go Book It
Maybe you’ve already started to give up on this ski season. That’s completely understandable, but know that there’s still plenty of time for you to grab a spring trip to Mammoth Mountain. Those direct flights run through late April and the mountain will stay open much later than that. Search United Airlines for flights from DEN to BIH and go book yourself a California ski trip.
