Flow: Mammoth Mountain
100,000 years ago, a series of volcanic eruptions shaped the mountains of the Eastern Sierra Nevada. This violent chaos was responsible for creating enormous lava domes that dramatically rise from the landscape. Years after the dust and ash settled, one particular lava dome caught the eye of Dave McCoy, who converted the 11,053-foot volcano into a ski resort in 1953. While Mammoth's volcano has long been extinct, the mountain is alive every winter with skiers and snowboarders shredding its slopes. Thanks to its unique geological past, a day spent at the mountain is unlike most resort experiences.
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"You don't see too much stuff above the treeline here in California, so that makes for some special lines here at Mammoth," explained local snowboarder Justin Romano.
Mammoth's wide-open top to bottom runs make it possible to set in an edge and just rail the whole way down. It's an experience that lets you ignore everything else and just focus on the riding.
