Going skiing in Mammoth on Thanksgiving⛷
✨ Mammoth is a lot of fun! Here are some practical tips:
❄️ We rented equipment in Irvine and brought it with us. The prices were about half of what they charge in Mammoth. So if you plan to ski for multiple days, it's recommended to bring your own equipment. However, the downside is that you'll have less flexibility. In our case, one of the adults got sick and couldn't ski, so we ended up wasting the rented equipment.
❄️ Make sure to bring necessary medication. In Mammoth, during winter, many people get sick. We went to two different stores and could only find cough medicine. It's recommended to bring medication for cough, fever, diarrhea, and vomiting. When you have kids, you always need to be prepared for unexpected situations.
❄️ Bring a humidifier and enough water. Mammoth is extremely dry.
❄️ If any unforeseen circumstances arise, you can cancel your lessons as long as you haven't started. But usually, they only refund as credit, which is valid for one year. You can use the credit for other activities, but you can't use it online. You have to go in person to make purchases.
❄️ Buy popular online courses for children before going on holiday. If you wait until you arrive, they will likely be sold out.
❄️ If you are not just interested in skiing, I recommend buying a sightseeing ticket to go up to the top of Mammoth Mountain. The scenery is beautiful. I bought an adult ticket on-site for $55, but it seems to be cheaper to buy it online. Also, one adult can bring one child for free.
❄️ We stayed at the Westin, which has a ski resort next to it. However, not all ski slopes are open during Thanksgiving. The advantage is that it's close and convenient, especially for beginners. The snow is good there too. But the main ski area has better overall conditions, more slopes of different difficulties, but it tends to be crowded and parking can be difficult. It takes over ten minutes to drive from the hotel, and after skiing, you might encounter traffic when returning during peak hours.
❄️ Keep in mind that the main ski area tends to be crowded and parking can be difficult. If you have younger children, staying at the hotel near the ski area is already a good choice. If you're looking for a more extreme experience, then go to the main ski area.