Mammoth Snowman Report
Saturday, May 17th, 2025 @ 6:30 AM: Good morning. Cloudy skies with windy conditions are expected today, especially over the higher elevations. By Sunday, Spring returns as a big warming trend starts bringing the first taste of early Summer to the area for a few days.
Checking in on conditions at the top of Mammoth Mountain (11,053 feet), the temperature is 29 degrees, with a south wind at 37 mph, gusting to 45 mph. Down at the Main Lodge, the temperature is 36 degrees, and the winds are out of the WSW at 5 to 19 MPH.
>>> Great news! Mammoth Mountain announced that lift operations will continue into June, with no set closing date.
Almost Daily Photo: Mid Week Silver Lined Corn Snow from Miles Weaver…
👇 Live from the Mountain
Recreational Weather Forecast – Mammoth Mountain / Eastern Sierra
🌤️ Weather Update – May 17, 2025
Another low-pressure system is moving through the area today, bringing cloudy skies, gusty winds, and a 20% chance of light rain or snow showers. By Sunday, a ridge of high presure will start its journey across the state, bringing the first big warm spell of 2025. Tempratures will increase about 10 degrees on Sunday with 8-12 degrees of additional warming by mid-week, with a cool down for the following weekend. Expect moderate winds to continue at the top into early Tuesday.
Quick Zone Forecasts:
🎿 Mammoth Mountain – Summit (11,053 ft)
Today: Mostly sunny and breezy. High: 34°F. Winds SW 25–35 mph, gusts to 50 mph.
Sunday: Partly cloudy. High: 36°F. Winds SW 30–40 mph.
Monday: Mostly sunny. High: 42°F. Winds light.
🚡 Mammoth Mountain – Main Lodge (~8,900 ft)
Today: Sunny with a high near 41°F. Winds SW 15–25 mph.
Sunday: Partly sunny, high 52°F. Winds gusting to 30 mph.
Monday: Mostly sunny. High near 60°F.
🏔️ Mammoth Lakes (7,880 ft)
Today: High: 62°F. Partly cloudy. Winds SW 10–20 mph.
Sunday: Breezy, high around 65°F.
Monday: Mostly sunny, high 72°F.
🌵 Bishop, CA (4,150 ft)
Today: Sunny and dry. High near 82°F. Winds SW 10–20 mph.
Sunday: High: 85°F. Gusty winds are possible.
Monday: Mostly sunny and hot. High near 90°F.
Local’s Snow Report – Snow Season 2025
5-17-25 Snow Conditions: Spring conditions have returned after the mid-week snowfall. This morning, expect the snow to be firm and stay longer with the cloud cover, with softening expected by late morning on the lower groomers. With the blue skies expected, the corn cycle will start again on Sunday.
Local’s Choice: Early morning, firm groomer laps via Saddle Bowl to Forest Trail to the Stump Alley Express and then back to the top of 3 again. As the day warms up, a glide down World Cup into St Antone can’t be beat when they drop the race ropes around 11 AM. If you like a nice big bump line, the moguls in West Bowl are tight and deep from the local bashers.
Up Top Cornice is fun as it softens up by mid-morning. Scotties is also groomed and gets less traffic, so the snow stays longer on that side. The Drop Outs and Wipe Out are all good, as are Climax and the Sign Line.
For more fun this week, consider cleaning and hot waxing your bases each night as the area warms up. This will reduce the spring drag from the wet snow. If you cannot perform this service on your own, Fast SKi Sports offers a Free Hot Wax Service, and they can teach you how to wax your bases at home each night. Just ask for Matt.
>>> If you’re coming to ski and snowboard the remainder of this season, please remember that all winter operations are now out of Main Lodge and the Mill.
Lifts running on weekends are (weather permitting) chairs 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 11, 23, and G1 and G2 from 7:30 to 2 PM. The Unbound Express (6) is open from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM.
Snowman
Other Things to Do During Spring 2025
Mammoth Lakes Basin: The basin is now open only to pedestrian and bike traffic ONLY. The Inyo National Forest will continue working with Mammoth Lakes officials and other partner agencies to plow the remaining snow as quickly as possible. However, there is no anticipated opening date for vehicular access.
Spring Mountain Biking: Lots to ride as the spring thaw is on with the current snow line around the 8,500-foot level. The Mammoth Mountain Bike Park has plans to open May 23rd with runs out of Canyon and Eagle Lodge only.
We’ll update you as we hear more information from the Marketing Dept.. Looks like a long, solid year is upcoming for the bike park. Get ready to ride!
Check out my new (but still under construction) Eastern Sierra Mountain Bike website, which has more information on where to ride; here is the link.
Scenic Gondola Rides: Riding to the top of Mammoth Mountain is a fantastic experience. The views are breathtaking as you ride up. There is an interpretative center at the Top Station with more information about the Eastern Sierra, Mammoth Mountain, and the mountain peaks you can see from the 11,000-foot level. The ride-up should be on everyone’s bucket list who does not ski or ride.
Click here to learn more and view a video preview of the ride up to the top of Mammoth Mountain.
Hiking / Walking: Mid-Spring offers fun hiking/walking options depending on the snow levels. During the drier snow seasons, the lower sections of the Mammoth Lakes Town Loop are an excellent walking option, and the last time I checked, they were all open and cleared of snow.
The second option is the Lower Rock Creek Trail, about 10 miles south of Mammoth Lakes, just past Tom’s Place if you’re heading south of 395. When we checked here last, all the snow and ice were gone in all three sections of LRCT.
Events – May through June 2025
May 2025
- Freestyle Ski & Snowboard Camp
May 3–4 @ Mammoth Mountain
Two-day terrain park camp for intermediate+ skiers and riders (age 10+). - Mammoth Lakes Film Festival
May 21–25 @ Multiple venues
Celebrating bold, independent films and emerging artists.
June 2025
- Monster Energy Mammoth Motocross
June 20–29 @ Sherwin Creek Road
Premier off-road racing with motocross legends and rising stars. - Mammoth Feel Good Festival
June 27–28 @ The Village Plaza
Kick off summer with music, food, drinks, and mountain air vibes
Author: Steve Taylor, The Mammoth Snowman. For over 30 years, Snowman has meticulously studied Mammoth Mountain’s weather and snow conditions. Since March 1991, he’s used marked ski poles to measure fresh snowfall across the mountain.
He began sharing his insights in 1990 on the Mammoth BBS system, later moving to RSN Forums, and launching MammothSnowman.com in 2004 with a video and photo blog (pre-YouTube). A Facebook presence followed in 2008, with a dedicated group added in 2016. His reports, videos, and photos have been featured on local Mammoth TV stations, as well as national news outlets including AP, Fox, ABC, CBS, and NBC.
