Insider Tips for Skiing Mammoth Lakes
If you want to know all of best tips for skiing Mammoth Lakes, look no further than Black Tie Skis Mammoth owners Jeremy Goico and Colin Fernie. They did what a lot of people do after college — they went adventuring out West. The plan was a single season in Colorado’s Steamboat Springs. Stay for a winter, ski their hearts out, head back East and apply to law school in the spring. But they quickly discovered what generations of lifer skiers and snowboarders know all too well — one winter just isn’t enough; not even close. Three years later, the two found themselves a part of a ski community in a mountain town, wondering how they could spin their love of it all into a life.
A twist of mountain town fate found them working at Black Tie Skis’ original location with founders Joe Sternberg and Ian Prichard, who happened to be from Rochester, where Jeremy and Colin went to college. Together, the four saw an opportunity to expand the business. Colin remembers, “Pretty quickly, by January of my first year, I knew this is what I wanted to do for my career. I would work a shift at Black Tie, then go upstairs and meet with Ian and Joe and talk business and strategy.”
After an exhaustive process of analyzing which world-class ski resort should become home to Black Tie’s newest venture, Joe, Ian, Jeremy, and Colin landed on Mammoth. Colin talks about why they chose the iconic California resort, what he loves about it, his top gear picks, and offers up some local insight if you find yourself skiing or riding in one of the Sierra’s favorite destinations.
A Local’s Perspective on What Makes Mammoth Unique
So, why Mammoth? “For me, there were a lot of things that drew me to Mammoth. I immediately fell in love with the place. A big focus was making sure it was a place I wanted to live and start a career — that’s what tipped the scales for me.”
There are a lot of things to love about Mammoth, many of which make it unique among the country’s most renowned ski resorts. There’s the stunning beauty — the mountain juts up along the east side of the Sierra Nevada mountains in the Inyo National Forest showcasing panoramas of the surrounding range’s sweeping views.
The vast, bold natural beauty is complemented by a notably small town vibe. “We’re a four-square-mile urban growth boundary; essentially a small town surrounded by national forest on all sides.” It’s a unique setting, one in which anyone can step out their back door and almost immediately be immersed in nature. The small town surrounded by endless wild space results in a tight knit community, one that welcomed Colin and Jeremy with open arms.
And Then There’s the Mountain
“The mountain itself is unbelievable in terms of beauty, size, scope, and variety.” The terrain varies to a dizzying degree, and one that keeps skiers and riders of all abilities happy from bell to bell. “There are steeps and cliffs, tree skiing, groomers, bump skiing for the crazy people who are into that. There’s a huge park scene. Probably more than anywhere else I’ve skied, Mammoth checks every box. It’s got something to offer everyone.”
So, what are Mammoth’s best-kept secrets and lesser known gems? Colin has a few — well, more than a few. He notes Mammoth itself is a bit under the radar as a destination resort. It’s popular for people living in Southern California, but it might not have the same cachet and recognition as other resorts globally. For those who have skied it, Mammoth ranks among some of their best on-mountain days ever. For those who haven’t, Colin highly recommends adding it to the bucket list for two easy reasons: bluebird powder days and spring skiing.
“We have two distinct types of weather — it’s either that beautiful California sunshine and warm (we’re typically warmer than other resorts), or we’re getting hammered with a huge snow storm. We have more bluebird powder days than anywhere else I can think of.” It’s true; storms will frequently dump four, eight, 10, 12 feet of snow in a cycle and then the weather pattern will break to a high pressure system, resulting in deep, fresh snow and plenty of sun. “We average 400” of snow per year, but many record winters can be significantly above that.”
Staying on Top of Gear Trends
With epic conditions at his fingertips, Colin finds it easy to be at the forefront of the industry’s best and latest gear. He’s a core skier. It’s a big part of his life and he loves it. It’s a devotion he’s happy to share with the many Black Tie Ski clients who come through the shop every season.
Every February, when the Western Regional On-Snow Demo comes to Mammoth, Colin and Jeremy treat the entire staff to a day of skiing and riding the latest and greatest equipment. Colin notes it’s not only about the good times that come from it — of which there are plenty — it’s also about gathering information and perspective on the newest gear. The Black Tie Skis staff includes men and women, skiers and snowboarders, who then come back to the shop and chime in on their favorite brands, gear, and equipment.
Colin is also on the Black Tie Equipment Committee. Every year, he heads to Salt Lake City for the annual WSM hard goods show. He gets to test out new gear on-snow there, too. “Trying to stay up-to-date is a two-part process: understanding what’s new from the brands and then getting the equipment on your feet on and on the snow.”
Gear and Preparation
Black Tie Skis is known for outfitting clients with the best equipment that’s most appropriate for their skiing or riding ability. But the expertise doesn’t end there. Colin points out a few things he tries to not let his clients go without, including:
- Layers – Mammoth can experience significant temperature fluctuations over the course of a week-long ski vacation and even during the same day. Layering up appropriately makes the experience much more enjoyable.
- Socks – Cotton doesn’t cut it when you’re dropping into deep powder or heading up to 11,000 feet. Investing in a good pair of ski socks is paramount to success and comfort.
- Sunscreen – As mentioned, Mammoth can be a sunny place and the mountain’s 11,000-foot summit elevation intensifies the rays. Lather up!
Go-To Brands That Perform Well at Mammoth
Local expertise and long-time industry knowledge are two key competitive advantages for Black Tie Skis. Knowing which brands perform well — and have local meaning or roots — is important. In Mammoth, Colin turns to a few niche brands that are favorites among locals and visitors alike.
“We’ve had success with Armada for a long time. It’s a brand that bridges the gap between niche and mainstream. It’s also a West Coast brand that started in Southern California, so Mammoth became Armada’s home mountain and you can still see that loyalty today.”
Colin also notes Peak Skis, founded by U.S. Olympian Bode Miller, as a popular choice. “We brought Peak Skis in last year as a new brand for us here in Mammoth. Everything in the line has a ton of versatility — even the powder skis do really well holding an edge on a groomer.”
On the snowboard side of things, Colin turns to their company’s long-time go-to brand, Never Summer. “A huge portion of our premium fleet is Never Summer products.”
Maintaining the Equipment
It’s another defining factor of the Black Tie Skis experience — the equipment is maintained with the love and care you might find at any long-time local’s ski tuning bench. Colin, Jeremy, and their crew assess every piece of equipment that comes off the hill. Sometimes it’s a full wax and then back on the shelf, but Mammoth is a rocky mountain. It can take a lot of snow to reach full coverage. When that’s the case, skis and boards can require some extra love. Equipment heads to the Black Tie Skis Mammoth tuning gurus who give it a full once-over — base grind, edge sharpening, and wax.
“Our newest addition is an infrared waxer. It doesn’t require an iron, is a lot more efficient, and creates less waste. As part of our company philosophy, we’ve created initiatives around sustainability. We made a switch to fully-sustainable wax products from Wend Waxworks, which is all-mountain, stream, and run-off safe.”
Common Beginner Mistakes — and How To Avoid Them
When it comes to newbies on the mountain, Colin and Jeremy see their fair share of mistakes, but they’re also quick to help a fellow skier or rider out with fixes that are guaranteed to make a day on the hill more enjoyable.
Given Mammoth’s proximity to SoCal, the most common mistake is wearing clothing and layers that underestimate the High Sierra weather. “We’re not a full retail shop, but we carry a lot of retail items we see our clients forgetting,” says Colin. If you find yourself near the Black Tie Skis Mammoth shop in need of some warmer wear, stop by. They carry:
- Lé Bent ski socks, base layers and headwear
- Rentable jackets and ski pants
- Goggles
When it comes to enjoying yourself out there, Colin’s credo is, “You want to be warm. You want to be dry.”
Navigating the Mountain
Mammoth is a big mountain with multiple access points. When customers ask for guidance, Colin and his team typically advise following the sun as it rises and crosses the slopes, starting at Eagle Lodge, which is the lowest access point and where the sun hits first. It’s also extremely family-friendly and ski-in, ski-out. Moving from left to right, and from lower elevation to high, head toward Canyon Lodge (the center lodge) followed by the Main Lodge, Mammoth’s original base area, which is the highest elevation and the farthest from town.
“All three of the base areas offer really good terrain and diversity. Skiers of all abilities can go out of any of the base lodges and then split off based on the type of terrain they’re looking for.” The mountain is also really well interconnected, making it easy to meet up and access different terrain.
Skiing and Riding Mammoth Like a Local
According to Colin, in addition to Mammoth’s legendary terrain, there are two chair lifts that make the must-do list — Chair 22 and Chair 23. Mammoth can experience very heavy winds during storm cycles, which close the summit lifts. When that happens, locals flock to Chair 22, a well-protected option that runs up Lincoln Mountain offering incredible terrain and variety.
If the summit lifts are open, Colin suggests taking a spin on Chair 23, which accesses the top of the mountain. When wind isn’t an issue, this chair provides access to the most challenging terrain, including wide-open bowls, advanced chutes, and cliff areas. However, Chair 23 isn’t just for experts. If your group is made up of a variety of riding abilities, Road Runner is a great option. It’s a long, winding blue run that wraps around the entire mountain, giving people a mellow, manageable choice if they want to experience the summit without having to commit to more advanced terrain.
What Time of Day Is Best for Skiing Mammoth?
Colin’s follow-the-sun rule applies nearly year-round, but time of day depends on the conditions. During the majority of the season, it’s best to get up there for first chair at 8:30 to catch fresh tracks. Beyond that, Mammoth is well known in ski and snowboard circles as the spring skiing capital of the world. Its elevation and massive storm cycles result in a much later season than other resorts.
“We have great late season conditions here. The spring corn is always fun, but that time of year, you can be better off to get on the hill later in the day to give the sun some time to loosen things up. I would say between 10:00 – 2:00 is the ideal spring skiing window. Conditions can start to get soupy after that.”
Après Ski and Beyond
When it comes to celebrating a great day on the hill, Colin has some favorite haunts, but notes the town has many different options depending on what you’re looking for, and the friendly team at Black Tie Skis is always happy to point you in the right direction. Make sure to hit up these après spots while you’re in town:
- The Sun Deck at the Main Lodge – This iconic spot overlooks the main park so you can watch skiers and snowboarders ride while you enjoy a beer in the sun.
- The Yodler – Directly across from the Main Lodge you can slip into this classic Bavarian haunt for a large pretzel and some traditional brats.
- Canyon Lodge – The DJ après parties on the patio at Canyon Lodge are legendary.
- The Mill – Located between the Main Lodge and Canyon Lodge on the snow at Chair 2, this big outdoor patio with adirondack chairs is a great spot to grab nachos, a pulled pork sando, and beers on the deck at the end of the day.
Once you’ve left the resort, most of the action is happening in the Village. You can take the gondola down and peruse a variety of bars and restaurants. There are plenty of options, but here are a few to get you started:
- Clock Tower Cellar – Enjoy the local vibe at this famous bar.
- Austria Hof – You can ski-in then ski-out from this old-school dive bar at the edge of the Canyon Lodge parking lot.
When It’s Time To Take a Break from Skiing
Mammoth is a beautiful place located in the heart of the Sierra, which makes spending a day off the slopes just as worth it. Colin recommends the Lakes Basin. “It’s a series of cascading lakes that sit right above town. In the winter, it’s a cross country skiing center with 19 miles of groomed trails and public access for snowshoers, hikers, and dog walkers.”
In addition to the Lakes Basin, there are a variety of snowmobile outfits in town that can take visitors into some of the area’s beautiful backcountry.
Memorable Moments at the Mammoth BTS Shop
“I think one of the things I love so much about what I do — and I do truly enjoy going to work every day — is the camaraderie we have as a team. We’re very much a work-hard-play-hard crew.” Colin and the Black Tie Skis Mammoth team revel in getting gear ready for customers as they rock out to music long after the lifts have closed. They ski together, ride together, and celebrate the end of the season together. In fact, given Mammoth’s longer-than-most seasons, it’s typically the host of the annual BTS California end of season party. “I just think one of the things that makes this company so unique is that we’re a big family. I truly love and appreciate all of our different owners.”
Don’t miss out on the welcoming local vibe next time you’re in Mammoth. Swing into BTS to meet Colin, Jeremy, and their team of industry experts, ready to help you find the best brands, proper equipment, must-ski runs and terrain, and epic California sunshine après.