Mammoth versus Squaw Valley?

As I mentioned earlier, I will be visiting a friend in SF and want to go
skiing.
Apparently the Tahoo resorts are closed with little snow expected, but
Mammoth is open. However conditions might change by the time I get there.

For my first (and possibly only) exposure to California snow, is Mammoth a
good choice? I am a little taken back by the altitude; is that a problem?
(I haven't been over 6,000' in 30 years.)

jack wrote:
As I mentioned earlier, I will be visiting a friend in SF and want to go
skiing.
Apparently the Tahoo resorts are closed with little snow expected, but
Mammoth is open. However conditions might change by the time I get there.

For my first (and possibly only) exposure to California snow, is Mammoth a
good choice? I am a little taken back by the altitude; is that a problem?
(I haven't been over 6,000' in 30 years.)

Mammoth is a great mountain - a little hard to get to from SF, however.
All (yes, ALL) the Sierra passes from Tahoe south beyond Mt Whitney
close for the winter with first snowfall, so you have to go to Tahoe ~ 3
hours, then south on 395 to Mammoth ~ another 3 hours. Best route is 80
to Reno then south on 395 - slightly longer than some variations, but
good road all the way. 395 crosses several 8000 passes that might be
snowy, so 4x4 helps there.

Unless you're flush, you can stay at the Mammoth Lakes Motel 6 for
cheap; shuttle bus to the mountain or drive - easy access. Decent cheap
eats in town, too.

Mammoth has some extraordinary steeps and hairball runs; but also has a
wealth of intermediate slopes as well - the place is huge; it has the
size, steeps, and quality snow that Vail claims (and doesn't have.)

Snow conditions are better than Tahoe - higher elevation keeps the snow
fluffier. The altitude never bothered me or mine; but everyone is
different. Track the snow conditions - things can change overnight, at
any time.

On Sun, 7 Dec 2008 12:05:19 -0500, "jack" wrote this
crap:

As I mentioned earlier, I will be visiting a friend in SF and want to go
skiing.
Apparently the Tahoo resorts are closed with little snow expected, but
Mammoth is open. However conditions might change by the time I get there.

For my first (and possibly only) exposure to California snow, is Mammoth a
good choice? I am a little taken back by the altitude; is that a problem?
(I haven't been over 6,000' in 30 years.)


I've never had a problem.




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