We’ll be honest: as locals, we know that weekends are game time. And we get it, many of our guests can’t take time off work or pull the kids out of school for a ski trip. So, things can feel crowded around town from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon. Vons is packed. The lines at the mountain are long. Suddenly, Main Street starts to feel like our version of the 405 up here in the mountains.
But, if you have the flexibility, there are so many advantages to visiting Mammoth mid-week. Let’s take a look at some reasons why you might want to take that extra vacation time or even plan on working from home so you can visit us during the week, and avoid that weekend wave!
Deals on lodging
Since fewer people will be visiting during the week, you’ll get your choice of your favorite condos. You know, like the 5-star rated ones that are usually booked during the weekends.
You’ll also notice that many rental companies offer lower prices during the week. So, that gorgeous 2 bedroom-loft that you wanted to book for a long extended weekend will actually be cheaper if you rearrange your travel dates.
In other words, planning a mid-week trip can mean access to the most sought-out condos at the best price. That’s a huge benefit!
Less traffic
The drive up the 395 is one of the most beautiful road trips that California has to offer. But, you might not have even realized that in the past if you were busy stressing out over other drivers’ road rage and trying to get out of that long line of cars stuck behind the semi.
Less traffic means that you can actually enjoy the views of the Owens Valley, and make stops along the way without having to worry about staying ahead of the slow-pokes. If you’ve always wanted to take a short detour to see the Mobius Arch in the Alabama Hills or stop off at the Natural Hot Springs for a quick geothermal dip, you can fully enjoy the road trip without the rush.
Happy hour deals
Let’s be real. If you’re buying rounds for friends after a long day on the mountain, it’s easy to rack up a big bill when there are no happy hour deals to soften the blow. But, when you visit during the week, you’ll be surprised to see that most places have great happy hour specials and that it’s easier to get a table. Plus, most of our restaurants and bars are filled with locals as this is our time to take a breather before the next big wave of visitors.
If you like the vibe of a friendly, laid-back Happy Hour, visiting Mammoth mid-week will certainly fit the bill.
Higher chances of seeing wildlife
The Eastern Sierra is full of wildlife that you won’t see in the rest of California. And when the trails are less crowded, your chances of seeing deer, coyotes, bears, pika, and a range of other animals go way up. If you’re lucky (and bring a pair of binoculars with you) you might even see more elusive species such as the endangered Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep or Sierra Nevada Red Fox!
Better fishing success during the summer
To be sure, a day of unsuccessful fishing is still better than not fishing at all. But if you want to enjoy the best fishing spots and boost your chances of bringing home enough trout to feed the family, planning a mid-week trip is your best bet. The shorelines will be less crowded, it will be easier to rent a fishing boat, and the fish will be bolder!
Less slope-side chaos during the winter
As we mentioned, on a busy winter weekend, the mountain can start to feel a bit like an amusement park. You’ll find yourself waiting in line for rentals, the chair lift, and your apres ski cocktail. You’ll also have to be more patient when it comes to sharing the mountain with skiers and snowboarders who are all at different skill levels and may or may not be aware of slope-side etiquette.
During the week though, things are much more relaxed at Mammoth Mountain. You’ll get more runs in and won't have to worry so much about your personal space being invaded by that one skier who hasn’t fully mastered the art of stopping. In fact, mid-week is when many locals get our days off, which means the person you chat with on the lift is likely a seasoned snowboarder who lives here year-round. So, if you want to make local friends, chatting up a stranger mid-week is the way to go!
More small-town events
One thing that visitors often don’t get to see is how much we locals like to socialize and enjoy life when the town isn’t so busy. From open mic nights to trivia competitions to home-grown live bands and group trail clean-ups, there are many activities planned throughout the year that most tourists never have the chance to enjoy.
If you want to get a sense of what Mammoth is like when things are slow, you’ll love the charm and friendliness of our small town from Monday through Friday. Subscribe to our newsletter to learn more about what’s going on around town.
What are you waiting for? We can help you plan your mid-week trip to Mammoth Lakes
While we understand why most visitors prefer to come up to Mammoth on weekends, we love to see people make the switch to mid-week vacations instead. Once you get to experience the slower pace of the Eastern Sierra that we locals enjoy Monday through Friday, you’ll see that there are so many benefits to visiting us without the tourist rush!
Check out the condos we have available at Mammoth Mountain Reservations or call our office at (888)204-4692 to learn more about planning your mid-week trip to Mammoth lakes!