Mammoth Mountains a Snowboarding Favorite

ByABC News
December 23, 2003, 2:52 PM

M A M M O T H   L A K E S, Calif., Dec. 30 -- For the fourth year in a row, thesuperpipe and terrain park at Mammoth Mountain's ski resort werethe first in North America to open for the season, with storms inthe Sierras making for an early, auspicious start.

It's no wonder the mountain has become one of California'shottest winter spots and a favorite among the snowboard set.

Mammoth Mountain is known for great snow, sunny blue skies allseason and big, steep runs with spectacular views of Ansel Adamscountry. It is also known for having a dull nightlife, but whileit's no Aspen, apres-ski is getting better at Mammoth. And withsuch great slopes, who cares if the lodge singles scene is low-key?

But if you are a skier who hasn't gotten over the culture clashof the snowboard "riders," then Mammoth might not be the placefor you. It's a 50-50 mix of skiers and riders, and the mountain isideal for both sports.

A skier for 15 years, I recently decided to try snowboarding forthe first time at Mammoth. A friend was very encouraging andoffered to teach me. He supplied a secondhand board, boots and evena pair of baggy snow pants. While riders and skiers have mostlylearned to live in harmony, their fashion sense is distinct. Mysnug, traditional black ski pants wouldn't do. Fashion is socutting-edge in Mammoth that Transworld Snowboarding magazinepublished the "Mammoth Fashion Report" on its Web site to seewhat trendsters would be wearing on the slopes this season.

Forget Fashion: Baggy Pants Best

Pink, apparently, is the new black on the slopes, for bothsexes.

But my friend is not interested in fashion.

"Trust me," he said. "You'll appreciate the extra paddingwith the baggy pants."

He was right.

Mammoth's slopes rise 3,100 feet from the base lodge and cover aseemingly endless 3,500 skiable acres. Elevation at the base is7,950 feet, and at the mountain summits, 11,050 feet. The longestrun lasts a breathtaking three miles.