Chasing Icons: SoCal vibes with Big Mountain Riding at Mammoth Mountain
Mammoth is a behemoth of a mountain tucked away on the edge of the Eastern Sierra. About 330 miles from San Francisco and 310 miles from Los Angeles, there isn't much around here except small towns and volcanic desert.
"Mammoth is a top tier resort and it is another example of the Ikon pass being really the best of the best" -Engerbretson. TGR photo.
Meaning that those who call this mountain home, didn't just stumble into town serendipitously. They came here with clear intentions: To ride hard.
Ligare enjoying some of Mircale March's goods. The storm cycles can very kind to Mammoth, last April they received four feet of pow in one storm alone. - TGR Photo
That's what makes this community so unique. While on the surface it might seem like another ski community in California, Mammoth is distinctively different from its counterparts in Tahoe.
"Mammy is rad! Great people, awesome park, the staff is super kind and the liftys always know what's good."- Justin Mayers. TGR Photo.
The wind—which buffs the snow oh so nicely—didn't keep Mayers from grabbing the shot. TGR photo.
Our crew: comprised of locals Chris Benchetler and Jimmy Goodman. TGR photo.
It's a small tight-knit town, with that quintessential SoCal laid back attitude. But that relaxed vibe that shouldn't fool you: The locals are still just as focused on getting after it in not just skiing, but mountain biking, fishing, and climbing.
"I think Mammoth is unique because it's an awesome mountain but the setting makes it special, it's surrounded by the most impressive peaks in the whole eastern Sierra." -Ligare. TGR photo.
Engerbretson taking advantage of the classic wind buff snow you'll find under chair 23. TGR photo.
With June Mountain and Yosemite National Park as close neighbors, it's the perfect gateway to explore the surrounding Sierra Nevada Mountains. There's more than enough to do to keep you busy year-round.
"It's fun anytime you get to ski or hang with Chris Benchetler. Not only is he super fun to watch ski, he is a great person to share a chairlift with." - Engerbretson. TGR photo.
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The glitz and luxury you find at most resorts is absent here. Instead Mammoth is iconic for the highest summit of any resort in the state—11,053 ft—and one of the most impressive snowfalls. On average they'll receive around 400 inches of snow, with many of those storms delivering up to 4 feet of pow.
Chris Benchetler is not only a legendary skier but an incredible artist. He's created artwork for Dakine, Dragon, Reef, Clif Bar, and most recently a 70-foot mural with Skye Walker on EVO's flagship store, making him quite the Renaissance Man. TGR photo.
This consistent snowfall is what contributes to their ridiculously long ski season. That's the beauty of Mammoth, it's always open. It's not uncommon to celebrate 4th of July out here by carving some turns. Some years you can even keep riding until August. It might not always be a pow day, but skiing in that California sunshine is never a bad time.
Goodman's smooth surf like style has the ability to make any of Mammoth's lines look like a good time. TGR photo.
Also worth mentioning is the freestyle terrain. Simply put, it's world class. Proud to be one of the first snowboard parks in the nation, the Unbound Terrain park has been at the forefront for innovation and design for freestyle skiing/riding over the past 20 years. These meticulously sculpted jumps have been the launching pads for countless pro skiers and snowboarders.
The Jones athlete loved riding out here last season. Getting the most snow he's ever seen, the resort also kept the lifts open till August 10th. TGR photo.
Chloe Kim, Hailey Langland, and Brock Crouch all haved honed their skills on these features. For our visit we caught up with locals and legends within the industry, Chris Benchetler and James Goodman.
Benchetler carving deep into some fresh pow. "I have a lot of respect for Chris and it's been awhile since I've gotten to ski with him, so to get out with him on the mountain he grew up on was super fun." - Ligare. TGR photo.
Growing up in the nearby town of Bishop, Benchetler's legendary freestyle career traces back to his early days exploring the diverse lines of the mountain.
"Mammoth will always be a special place to me because it's where I kicked off my ski career, competing and doing slopestyle. The vibes at Mammoth are always so great" - Farro. TGR photo.
Despite being an East Coast transplant, Goodman knows this mountain like the back of his hand. We followed them to classics: Chair 23, Chair 22, Cornice Bowl, Hangman's Hollow, and Dave's Run. Ending the day with some much needed burgers at Burger Restaurant, refueled we're ready to hit our last stop. Big Bear!
Just one stop left in our epic road trip! TGR photo.
