Written by: Helen Wells
Helen writes for Mammoth Mountain Reservations, sharing insights and local expertise on what makes Mammoth Lakes a standout mountain destination, from seasonal activities to unforgettable alpine experiences.
The mountains are a great place to start the new year. In Mammoth Lakes, you can spend New Year's Eve skiing or snowboarding at Mammoth Mountain and then come back into town for dinner and the celebrations at The Village at Mammoth. If you'd rather have a quieter night, you can celebrate at your rental with your own food, drinks, and company.
No matter what your New Year's Eve plans are (family holiday, ski trip with friends, a quiet mountain getaway, etc.), here are a few tips for making the most of your trip in Mammoth Lakes.
In This Piece:
- Celebrate New Year's Eve at The Village at Mammoth
- Make New Year's Eve Dinner Reservations
- Plan a Family-Friendly New Year's Eve
- Spend the Day on the Slopes
- Get Around Mammoth Lakes Safely
- Book Your New Year's Eve Stay Early
- Frequently Asked Questions
Celebrate New Year's Eve at The Village at Mammoth
The hub of New Year's Eve in Mammoth Lakes is The Village at Mammoth, where you can have a family-oriented celebration before the Village Firework Spectacular. The fireworks themselves are scheduled earlier in the evening, so this is one of the better New Year's Eve options if you've got younger kids.
For another way to celebrate, check out the Village Gondola Deck New Year's Eve Party, a special event offering the best views of the celebrations and fireworks from the Village Gondola deck.
After the fireworks, there's plenty of opportunity for adults to carry on with dinner or drinks at one of the restaurants or bars around Mammoth Lakes. Families, on the other hand, may prefer to head back to their rental for their own little countdown.
Before you go, check the Mammoth Lakes events and festivals calendar to see what's happening during your visit.
Make New Year's Eve Dinner Reservations
It's a good idea to plan your dinner if you're in Mammoth Lakes for New Year's Eve.
Mammoth has a great variety of dining options, from casual restaurants and breweries to upscale venues. Several restaurants will host special dinners and take reservations for New Year's Eve. In recent years, some of the popular holiday dining spots have been Smokeyard BBQ & Chop Shop, Mountainside Bar & Grill, and Mammoth Rock 'N' Bowl. As the participating restaurants, menus, hours, and reservation policies can all change, it's always worth checking directly with the restaurant before booking.
Plan a Family-Friendly New Year's Eve
Kids can have a proper New Year's Eve even if they don't actually stay up until midnight.
Mammoth Mountain describes its New Year's Eve celebration at The Village as family-oriented, and the official schedule does include fireworks earlier in the evening. That allows families to join one of the major celebrations of the night and still return to their rental before midnight, if they wish.
You can turn the whole day into a festivity, really. Play in the snow in the morning, do your favorite winter activity in the afternoon, and have an early dinner before heading off to The Village.
For even more ideas, check out some winter activities like snowmobiling, tubing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice skating, and scenic gondola rides.
Spend the Day on the Slopes
Before the evening festivities, of course, the main reason people come in the winter is the snow and the slopes.
Mammoth Mountain is 11,053 feet and has about 3,500 acres of skiable terrain. June Mountain is the other option in the area and is known as a very family-oriented mountain.
Skiing or snowboarding during the day, then having dinner and watching the fireworks, makes for a pretty good New Year's Eve in Mammoth Lakes (no need to plan every aspect of it).
If you're not inclined to ski, you can still make the most of the snow by snowshoeing, skating, tubing, snowmobiling, or indeed doing all sorts of other winter activities.
Get Around Mammoth Lakes Safely
As New Year's Eve is in the winter, keep the weather and road conditions in mind to help ensure you and your family have a safe New Year's.
Winter storms in the Eastern Sierra can rapidly affect road conditions, and chains may be required depending on the weather. Be sure to check the forecast, allow for extra travel time, and have emergency supplies in your vehicle.
If you're planning on drinking at your New Year's Eve celebrations, then decide how you're going to get back to your accommodation before leaving. You should always avoid driving after drinking, so be sure to select a designated driver before the night begins or be prepared to call a rideshare or cab when the night ends.
Staying somewhere where you can drive less will make your winter trip considerably easier.
Book Your New Year's Eve Stay Early
Featured Rental: Mammoth Ski and Racquet Club #33
As New Year's is during ski season, it makes sense to book your accommodation well in advance.
Think about how you'll spend the day and evening when choosing where to stay. Mammoth Mountain Reservations offers vacation rentals throughout the area (around Canyon Lodge, in downtown Mammoth Lakes, in Old Mammoth, and so on), with a range of properties to choose from, including those with fireplaces, hot tubs, pools, and pet-friendly options.
A vacation rental allows you to celebrate New Year's Eve however you like. You could have dinner, relax by the fire, play some games, and decompress after a day in the snow.
Just browse the Mammoth Lakes vacation rentals to find the ideal place for your New Year's getaway today!
Browse Mammoth Vacation Rentals
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to do on New Year's Eve in Mammoth Lakes?
Spend the day skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, tubing, or just exploring Mammoth Lakes, and then head down to The Village at Mammoth for dinner and the family-friendly New Year's Eve celebrations and fireworks.
Is there a fireworks show in Mammoth Lakes on New Year's Eve?
Yes, Mammoth Mountain's New Year's Eve celebration in The Village features a Village Firework Spectacular in the evening. Be sure to check the current event schedule before your visit for the precise time and details for that season.
Do restaurants take reservations for New Year's Eve in Mammoth?
Yes, some restaurants in Mammoth Lakes have offered New Year's Eve reservations and special holiday dining. The restaurants that do this, the menus they offer, and the reservation requirements will vary, so it's always worth contacting the individual restaurants if you plan to go.
Is Mammoth Lakes family-friendly on New Year's Eve?
Yes, Mammoth Mountain describes the New Year's Eve event at The Village as family-oriented, with festivities and a fireworks display.
How busy is Mammoth Lakes over New Year's?
New Year's is during Mammoth's winter ski season, so it's advisable to book your accommodation and any key dining or activities in advance to make planning as easy as possible.