Welcome to MammothSnowman.com – Winter 2023/24
November 6th, 2023 @ 7:30 AM – Good morning; it’s a gorgeous day up here on Mammoth Mountain with cloudy skies and light snowfall at this time.
Currently, at Main Lodge, the temperature is 30, with the relative humidity at 25%. Winds are out of the W at 5 MPH with gusts to 18 MPH. Up Top at 11,053 feet, the temperature is 24, with an S wind at 39 MPH gusting to 46 MPH. Today’s max wind gust so far has been 68 MPH. At the 9000-foot level, the Snow Study Site, there is a dusting of new snow at this time.
Mammoth Mountain Snow Report: Opening day at Mammoth Mountain is just four days away. The latest update on what will be open is Broadway Run via chair one. If the updated forecast comes true, I would expect that the lower Unbound Area would also be available with a few features set up.
Whatever does run, it will be low tide, folks; bring your rock skis and boards and stay on what is officially open. There is NO base right now, so charging 3-6 inches of fresh is not going to end well.
The Snowmaking forecast moving forward is also looking way more encouraging this morning. It does appear that crews should be able to make snow the next five nights and then possibly through the 6-10-day fantasy forecast window.
Ski Area Shuttle Services: The Mammoth Mountain Parking Shuttle will run starting Friday. I have not heard of any shuttle services up from town. I will report back on Monday when I can get ahold of the Transit Office.
Area Road Conditions: 395 and all area Roads Remain Open and Clear this morning, except for the Reds Meadow Road, which is only open on Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting. Check out Snowman’s 395/203 Road Report and Webcam Page at this link.
Video Player: Today’s video is the Main Lodge Webcam Feed, enjoy the snow falling. Fresh Content is coming this week from Mammoth Mountain. We will be at Main Lodge on Tuesday and again on Friday and will post content from each day showing what it’s like at the mountain.
Mammoth Mountain Weather Forecast: Cloudy skies with snow showers at times and then snow tonight turning to snow showers early on Tuesday morning. Snowfall amounts on Mammoth Mountain from the Main Lodge to the Top are now forecasted in the range of 3 – 6+ inches.
The snow will be falling on dry dirt, so you expect this first snow not to accumulate as much as a mid-winter storm. Getting the ground moist is perfect, as the soil will freeze and hold snow better.
Basic WX: At the 9000-foot level (Main Lodge), expect temperatures to be in the low to mid-30s today with upper 20s for Tuesday. Mid-day highs will be in the low to mid-30s the rest of the week right into next Friday. Night-time lows will be perfect for Snowmaking, with upper teens to lower 20s expected at night.
Expect increasing winds in all areas over the next 12 hours with strong gusts in the 65-85+ MPH above the 9500 level with stronger gusts over ridges and the highest elevations.
Here is the link to our complete Mammoth Weather Forecast, the Snowmaking Outlook, and the Long Range Discussion.
Mammoth Mountain Photos
11-6-2023 – Today’s photos are webcam images from the Mammoth Mountain network. Snowman plans to head up mid day on Tuesday to get images of what it looks like behind the cold front that will move thru over the next 18 hours. Should have those new photos posted by Tuesday early evening. You can find Photos from the last 4 seasons here.
Late Fall & Winter Activities
It’s a great time to get out with the cooler days and no snow pack on the ground yet; get out on the local high country trails while you can. Crystal Lake is a great hike to take right now, or try the shorter hike up to MC Loud Lake.
For Mountain Biking, Mammoth Rock Trail and Uptown / Downtown are in great shape. Lower Rock Creek Canyon Trail is also in great shape in all three sections. You can also ride down in Bishop in perfect 70-degree weather now. Check out our Mountain Bike Trail Report here.
The Fall Colors in the high country are done for the season. However, the Round Valley and Bishop areas have some very lovely colors to check out and should be around for the next couple of weeks.
For those planing on coming up this winter, while most of you will be coming up to spend all your free daylight hours on Mammoth Mountain, there are plenty of other things to do in the area during the winter months.
I know many people who want to come up but are not interested in skiing and snowboarding. Here are a few ideas of what else there is to do.
** NO Snow Yet, But It Won’t Be Long Now. Let’s Pray for a White Thanksgiving in the High Country
Scenic Gondola Rides: Starting Again on 11-10-23 – Taking a ride to the top of Mammoth Mountain is an amazing experience. The views are breathtaking as you ride up and beyond once you’re standing at the top.
Once you reach the top station, you will have a 360-degree view of the Eastern Sierra and the Sierra Nevada. You will also get a chance to get a picture of the famous Mammoth Mountain Sign at 11,000 feet.
There is also an interpretative center with more information about the Eastern Sierra, Mammoth Mountain, and the mountain peaks you can see from the 11,000-foot level. Here is the link to the scenic ride information page.
Snowmobiling: This is a blast just outside of Mammoth Lakes. However, the fun is dictated by how much snow we have. During years of average and above snowfall, the amount of riding you will find is amazing.
If you’re new to the sport, you will want to take a 2-hour trip with Mammoth Mountain Snow Mobile Adventures, which is located out of the Main Lodge area. When there is ample snow, there are miles and miles of riding on groomed-out service roads you can access.
Cross-Country Skiing: There are some incredible options for Cross-Country skiing here in Mammoth Lakes and the Eastern High Sierra. Your options and where to go will be determined by the weather, snow, and the time of winter you come to Mammoth Lakes.
The best Cross Country Skiing is always going to be up in the Mammoth Lakes Basin at the Tamarack Cross-Country Ski Center. As we get into winter, the snow levels and colder air move down into the lower elevations. That will give you lots of options for Cross-Country skiing beside the Tamarack Resort in the Mammoth Lakes Basin.
Sledding: The Snowman loves sledding, and snow play with the Family in Mammoth Lakes. On storm days when the hill is mostly shut down, Sledding can keep you and your kids occupied for hours.
Personally, I think almost nothing beats a couple of hours of sledding out on the hills around your yard, the town, or in the hills of the Eastern Sierra with the family. Grab the kids, the helmets, and a variety of sleds, and get ready for some major fun. Here is a link to learn some good locations for sledding in Mammoth Lakes.
Ice Skating: There are several options for ice skating in the Eastern Sierra. The town of Mammoth Lakes runs a brand-new ice rink on Old Mammoth Road. The ice rink opens for the first time for Thanksgiving.
During drier winters, there are many open bodies of water that are also skateable in the back country and at lower locations in the Eastern Sierra. A Google search will help you discover some of these hidden gems you can skate. Here is the link to learn more about ice skating in the area.
Hiking / Walking: Depending on what the snow levels are, you will find some fun hiking/walking options during the winter months.
First off, during the drier seasons, the Mammoth Lakes town trail system is a great option for a walk. The paved trails that start by the Blue Park off of Old Mammoth Road are the best place to venture as it’s the most likely path to be free of snow and ice.
The second option is the Lower Rock Creek Trail, about 10 miles south of Mammoth Lakes, just past Toms places if you’re heading south of 395. This trail does hold ice and snow so be prepared even if the terrain around is snow-free.
Winter Mountain Biking: For the hearty soul who knows how to layer up for cold biking, there are a ton of trails to ride during the winter months, depending on what elevation the snow line is at.
Near Mammoth, when the snow line is above 7500 feet, there are tons of forest service roads you can ride. You will find all sorts of unmapped single-track trails off of these service roads to explore.
Rock Creek Canyon is amazing for downhill action using two cars so you can shuttle back up from the bottom. During the winter, you can ride back up the trail or use the road if you’re not able to shuttle; watch for ice on the road as it’s in the shade most of the winter months.
The Bishop area also has many trails you can ride during the winter months, and the temperatures are more favorable than riding up in the high country. Do a Google search for trails in the Bishop area, or stop by the local bike shop for information on where to ride. Check out our Eastern Sierra Mountain Bike Report for Current Trail Conditions and Where to Ride.
Winter Fishing: The Owens River and the Hot Creek area are open during the winter months for fishing. Yes, it’s cold, and your hands are going to get frozen, so be prepared. Fishing the Owens River out of Bishop is my call for winter fishing.
Rock Creek Canyon Snow Park:3 miles up from Toms Place, there is parking for access to snow play up in Rock Creek Canyon.
Mill Pond Park & Disc Golf: A great place to hang out just at the bottom of the Sherwin Grade. There is a full 18-hole disc golf course to keep you busy for hours. Got Kids? The park has a playground for energy output.
Laws Rail Road Museum: I recommend everyone who comes up to the Eastern Sierra to experience this unique museum setting. You’ll find 11 acres of indoor and outdoor exhibits, including the original depot and steam locomotive, the Slim Princess. Experience what life was like over 100 years ago in Owens Valley. https://lawsmuseum.org/welcome-museum
Bishop City Park: Over the years, we have spent many hours down at Bishop City Park enjoying the warmer climate and being out of the snow. This is a great place to have lunch and let the kids out to play without all the snow in Mammoth Lakes. You will see many Mammoth locals down here during the winter months trying to get a taste of winter below the snowline.
Ski Ya Later Snowman
Website News
Happy Winter Season 2023-24 – Here’s what we got going at mammothsnowman.com this season.
Snowman will be updating the home page daily again and will also be doing a 10 day Detailed Resort Weather Forecast 4-5 times a week this season at our weather center.
There will be a weekly Photo Snow Album along with a Weekly Vlog Update from Mammoth Mountain. There are also plans to do a few video weather updates during storm cycles as time allows.
The Powder Forecast Reports will return later this month around 11/17. WG has been real busy but has some time carved out to post some information again a couple times a week.
If you like what we do here and don’t want to miss an update make sure to sign up for our email list at this E Mail Newsletter Sign Up page.
Most Recent Content Posts
Website Author – Steve Taylor – Mammoth Snowman – Over the last 35+ years, Snowman has spent countless hours studying and learning about Mammoth Mountain Weather and Snow Conditions first hand. He has been skiing around the hill with marked ski poles since March of 1991 so he can measure the fresh snowfall amounts out on the hill.
Snowman started blogging this information back in 1990 on the old Mammoth BBS system, then the RSN Forums and then on to MammothSnowman.com in 2004 with the Video & Photo Blog report. (No YouTube back then). Facebook got added to the fold back in 2008 and then the Facebook Group in 2016.
Reports, videos, and photos from the website have been featured on both local TV Stations here in Mammoth, along with AP, Fox, ABC, CBS, and NBC News. You can learn more about the MammothSnowman.com team here.
