Following up. Apparently “How Not to Be a Complete Kook in Mammoth this Winter ” missed a few people. And since things have escalated significantly since we dropped that post… here we are again. I am hearing the holidays were extra gnarly this year from a number of angles so this one goes out to our friends down south.
Hey friends from the south. We see you. We know you do not have snow right now. We also know Mammoth is calling your name like a powder siren.
You are welcome. Mostly. Some of us even mean it.
But here’s the thing. Mammoth Mountain staff and the town of Mammoth Lakes are getting absolutely walloped. Big snow and fast. Long shifts. Closed roads. And on top of that, the mountain community is grieving the loss of a friend. You can donate to that friend here: Cole Murphy
Lifties. Patrol. Ops. Grooming. Food service. These are real humans running on very little sleep and a lot of heart.
This article is not for everyone. Plenty of my SoCal friends are absolute pros, and we love you for it. But that guy from Sherman Oaks who cut the singles line, insisted it was “two lines” despite the giant ALTERNATE sign, told everyone to f**k off when corrected, and refused to leave the line despite the 45 people behind him who were in line before him. This one’s for you.
Do Not Cut the Lift Line
Yes, it’s long. No, you’re not special. Everyone else also woke up at 5am, sat on 395, and paid for their IKON Pass. Slide in where you belong and keep it moving.
Show Your Lifty Some Love
A smile. A thank you. A Snickers Bar perhaps. These folks are cold, exhausted, and somehow still cheerful. It costs you nothing to be decent.
Donate to Ski Patrol
They’re digging people out, keeping terrain safe, and responding to real emergencies in real storms. If you can afford a weekend in Mammoth, you can afford a few bucks for patrol: https://www.mmspaa.org
Do Not Park Like an A**hole
Snow berms are not suggestions. Driveways are not optional. Blocking plows, fire lanes, or entire streets because you wanted to be closer to the lodge is not it. If you can’t park correctly in snow, ask for help or take the shuttle.
Tip Like You Mean It
Restaurants and bars are slammed. Staff shortages are real. Tip like you appreciate hot food and strong drinks after a storm day.
Respect Road Closures and Chain Controls
If the sign says closed, it’s closed. If chains are required, they’re required.
Slow Down
This is not a race. Locals are trying to get to work. Kids are trying to cross streets. Snow changes everything. Chill. This includes drivinu thru Lone Pine, Independence, Big Pine and Bishop.
Pick Up After Yourself
Trash cans fill fast during storm cycles. Pack it out if you need to. Don’t place is on top of the trashcan, on the side of the trashcan. If that trashcan is full, find another trashcan.
Read the Room
If staff seem tired or short, it’s not personal. This town just went through it. Lead with patience.
Do Not Start Fights in Bars
Yes, everyone’s tired. Yes, the lifts were chaos. Yes, the beer hits harder at altitude. None of this is a reason to throw hands at 9pm in a bar with wood paneling and bad lighting. Visitors. Chill. You’re on vacation. Locals, You too. Grief is real. Burnout is real. But turning après into Fight Club helps exactly no one and makes a hard week harder for everybody. Bartenders are not referees. Bouncers are not therapists. Ski patrol does not want to see you after hours. If tensions are high, close the tab, grab some food, go home, and live to ski another day.
Final words
Mammoth thrives because of community. Locals, workers, visitors, all of it. Right now, the mountain and the town need a little extra kindness.
Come up. Ride hard. Have fun. Spend money. Just do it with awareness.
Note: This post is not affiliated with Mammoth Mountain or Mammoth Lakes Tourism. They are nice. We are not. ✌️
