Written by: Sarah Hinds Friedl, life-long local and curse-breaker
It may be Spooky Season, but that doesn’t mean that your next trip to Mammoth Lakes needs to be full of terror! In this article, we’ve got tips for planning your vacation that will make your time here in the Eastern Sierra charmed instead of cursed! Take a look at our list of mistakes to avoid for a haunt-free stay.
In this piece
- 14 Mistakes that will haunt your trip to Mammoth Lakes
- One more tip for a charmed stay in Mammoth Lakes
Mistakes that will haunt your trip to Mammoth Lakes
Mistake #1: Not checking the weather forecast
Even though we tend to have beautiful blue skies most days of the year, weather can change quickly up here in the mountains. You’ll want to make sure that you’re checking the weather forecast, not only when you book your trip, but also as your departure date approaches.
If it looks like an incoming storm might complicate your travel plans, call our office at (888)204-4692 as soon as possible so that we can talk you through your options.
Mistake #2: Traveling without snow chains or cables
Even if the forecast doesn’t call for snow on your travel day, we would still recommend that you keep a set in your car just in case. Keep in mind that once a snow chain order goes into effect, there will be check-points on the highway to make sure that you’re in compliance!
Mistake #3: Driving with snow chains or cables on non-snowy roads
Equally as cursed as driving on snowy roads without chains is driving on non-snowy roads with chains! This will damage your tires, damage your chains, and damage our roads. And you’ll attract plenty of side-eyes from people who see you throwing sparks as you pass them.
Mistake #4: Arriving very late
We always recommend that you arrive sometime between check-in time (4pm) and sunset, for a couple of reasons. For one thing, it will be easier for you to find your condo while there’s still daylight. You’ll also appreciate bringing your luggage in before the temperatures really plummet for the night.
And, you’ll find that most restaurants and grocery stores here close early. So, unless you’ve traveled with a couple of bags of groceries, getting here too late might make it difficult to get a meal. Dealing with hungry kids after a long day of travel can be downright terrifying!
Mistake #5: Underestimating the elevation change
This is one of the most common mistakes that we’ve seen haunt folks during their trip to Mammoth Lakes. Even if you’re an active person or you’ve had experience at high elevation before, you still need to take it easy when you first get here so that your body can adapt to the change! Otherwise, you’ll be plagued with shortness of breath, headaches, and maybe even horror-movie level crankiness.
Mistake #6: Not planning your ski or snowboard rentals
Showing up at a ski rental place only to find that they’re totally out of your size is a scary tale, for sure. We would recommend that you book your rental ahead of time and pick up your equipment the night before so that you don’t have to waste any time getting to the mountain in the morning.
Mistake #7: Planning your whole trip at the mountain
Now don’t get us wrong. We know that from now until June, Mammoth Mountain is the main attraction! But if you’ve arrived with no other plans than to hit the slopes everyday, you’re missing out on everything else that our special area has to offer! Plus, you might find that if you haven’t exercised those winter sports muscles in a long time, you’ll wish that you had some alternatives to give yourself a break and avoid strain injuries.
Here are a few activities to add to your itinerary, just in case you’re haunted by ski fatigue or slope closures:
- Snowshoeing
- Bowling at Mammoth Rock ‘N’ Bowl
- Natural hot springs
- Woolly’s Adventure Summit
- Ice skating at the LA Kings Ice Rink
- Snowmobiling
- A snowcat tour
- Family game night in your condo
- Spa day at the Double Eagle
Mistake #8: Going to popular restaurants without a reservation
We may not be in a big city, but our culinary scene is active! If you want to get a table at your favorite places, you’ll want to make sure that you call ahead to book a reservation. Otherwise, you may find yourself stuck in the purgatory of a restaurant waiting area.
Mistake #9 : Leaving your car snowed-in
During a storm, you’ll probably notice that locals waste no time in clearing off their cars so that they don’t get totally snowed in. There are a couple of reasons for this. One: it’s easier to shovel snow off your car roof when there’s less of it. And two: allowing your car to become completely covered in snow puts you at risk of it getting hit by a snow removal machine.
Many of our condos come with covered parking, but if you’re parking your car outside, keep in mind that you’ll be responsible for clearing the snow off the roof!
Mistake #10: Being in a hurry
Small town life goes at a relaxed pace all year long. But that becomes even more true during the winter season. Snow and ice on the roads means that we locals take the wheel with even more caution, and you can help us keep everyone safe by following our lead!
Being impatient is also a sure way to spoil your interactions with fellow visitors, skiers, and local hospitality workers. With a little bit of patience and understanding, you can help keep Mammoth Lakes a more whimsical and charmed place.
Mistake #11: Walking around without paying attention to your surroundings
Mammoth Lakes is a true winter wonderland, so we totally understand when we see folks walking around taking in the sights. But, things can get dangerous very quickly, and you certainly don’t want to walk into traffic or in the blind spot of a snow removal machine. So, as much as you should be allowing yourself to enjoy your surroundings, make sure that you’re keeping an eye on what’s going on around you.
Mistake #12: Wearing shoes you don’t want to get dirty
Yes, snow and ice are clean and pristine. But, slushy ice and ice melting agents can leave your shoes looking like you just walked through a horror scene. If you want to keep your shoes looking brand new, consider leaving them at home and opting for water-proof boots.
Mistake #13: Not taking advantage of our FREE public transport
Trying to navigate parking around Mammoth Lakes during the busy season is a truly cursed experience! You can avoid it entirely by relying on our amazing, reliable and FREE public transport system. Taking the bus is simple and it keeps our roads safer and more efficient.
Mistake #14: Skiing and snowboarding outside of designated areas
Whether you get the urge to duck the rope at the mountain or save yourself five minutes by skiing back to your condo on public roads, you’re setting yourself up for a not-so-happy outcome. In fact, skiing or snowboarding outside of official areas can lead to having your season pass revoked, and doing so on public roads can put you in danger of car accidents or trouble with law enforcement.
So, don’t set yourself up for a cursed trip by sticking to designated areas.
Mistake #15: Assuming the bears are still asleep
If you wake up to your car window smashed and food wrappers strewn around the ground, you weren’t visited by a zombie. You were visited by a bear in search of a mid-hibernation snack. It’s true: bears aren’t true hibernators, and they’ve been known to venture out of their winter dens in search of food.
Don’t make the mistake of leaving food or scented items in your car just because you think the bears are asleep!
One more tip for a charmed visit to Mammoth: Stay with us!
We’ve checked under the beds and in the back of the closets and we can say with certainty that our Mammoth Mountain Reservations condos are not cursed! Take a look at some of the cozy, charmed accommodations we can offer you this season:
Mountainback at Mammoth, Unit 60 (Corner Unit!)
2 BR | 2 BA | 6 Guests
Mammoth Ski & Racquet Club, Unit 6
1 BR - Loft | 2 BA | 6 Guests
Ready to book your trip to Mammoth Lakes? Give us a call at Mammoth Mountain Reservations with any questions you have about your upcoming visit!