The greater Mammoth Lakes area has two alpine ski facilities: Mammoth Mountain Ski Area and June Mountain Resort.
Mammoth Mountain Ski Area founder Dave McCoy, then a hydrologist for the City of Los Angeles, began skiing Mammoth Mountain in the 1930s. In 1941, over 250 skiers visited Mammoth over the Thanksgiving weekend. The first chairlift was opened in 1955. Today, Mammoth has 3500 skiable acres (1400 hectares), 150 named trails, 48 snowmaking trails over 477 acres (193 hectares), and a longest run of 3 miles (4.8 km). There are 28 lifts, including 9 express quads, 2 high-speed six-packs, and 3 high-speed gondolas. Mammoth Mountain claims over 300 days of sunshine per year. 25% of the mountain is beginner terrain, 40% intermediate, 20% advanced, and 15% expert.
Mammoth Mountain receives an average of over 400 inches (10.16 m) average annual snowfall (668 inches -- 17 m -- in the 2005-06 season, which extended from November 10 to July 4). Base elevation is 7953 feet (2424 m) above sea level, and top elevation is 11053 feet (3369 m).
June Mountain Resort is in June Lake, north of Mammoth Lakes via US-395. Top elevation is 10,090 feet (3089 m). It has 2590 vertical feet (790 m) of runs on 500 skiable acres (200 hectares), 35% beginner, 45% intermediate, and 20% advanced. Average annual snowfall is 250 inches (6.3 m). 70% of days are sunny. There are 4 double lifts, two express quads, and one rope tow. June Mountain features a ski school, children's classes, and day care.
