The start of the new year is a time to set goals, reflect, and even reinvent yourself. And even though the snow storms have been keeping us busy here at Mammoth Mountain Reservations, we’ve also been thinking about what we’re looking forward to this year!
It goes without saying that we’re hoping for lots of snow in the winter, lots of sunshine in the summer, and lots of happy visitors throughout the year. But, there are a few more specific trends we’d be thrilled to see here in Mammoth Lakes in 2026!
Take a look at what we’re hoping will stay in style or go by the wayside over the next twelve months.
In: Being kind to ski patrol (and all other service workers in town)
There are thousands of Mammoth locals and seasonal workers responsible for the safety and comfort of visitors. From Search and Rescue crews to snow removal teams to restaurant, grocery, and accommodation workers, everyone you come into contact with is doing their best to make your visit to Mammoth enjoyable.
That being said, busy seasons can get stressful for everyone, and that’s when it’s even more important to lead with kindness and patience. That ski patrol who told you to slow down? They might have seen a few dangerous collisions earlier in the day. The waiter who forgot your side of ranch? They might have been up since 4am shoveling their driveway.
In sum, we hope that in 2026, we all get into the habit of giving those around us the benefit of the doubt.
Out: Skiing and boarding through the streets
We get it. You just had the best day on the slopes and you don’t want it to end! And, wouldn’t it be so much faster to ski down Canyon Blvd than walk in those clunky boots?
The problem is, it’s incredibly dangerous to ski or snowboard on public roads in Mammoth. You might be going faster than cars, which means that drivers pulling out into traffic might not see you coming. You might need to swerve out of the way of people opening their car doors. And a spill on a surface street, which is essentially just a thin layer of snow over concrete, can lead to serious injury.
For your own safety and those around you, please, take off the skis or the board and hop on the bus or walk to your car.
In: Traveling with pets
Every year, we’re thrilled to see more and more people traveling with their pets. We’re dog owners ourselves, and we know how special it is to be able to share the great outdoors with our canine companions. With plenty of lakes, hiking trails, and a community dog park, Mammoth is basically dog heaven-on-earth.
And, here at Mammoth Mountain Reservations, we’ve got pet-friendly condos throughout town for guests visiting with four-legged family members. You’ll also find plenty of establishments that allow dogs on patios and outdoor seating areas.
Out: Not following pet owner etiquette
As much as we love to see dogs on the trails and around town, there are a few habits that we hope will go out of style in 2026:
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Not cleaning up after your pet. Doggie doo isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also potentially harmful to our local ecosystem. When left to decompose naturally, the ingredients in a dog’s diet can change the pH of the soil and leach bacteria, viruses and unfamiliar nutrients that throw off our area’s delicate balance. We hope that this year, folks remember to bag up their dog’s waste and properly dispose of it (inside of bear-proof trashcans, please, not just placed on top!)
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Allowing dogs to chase after wildlife. Seeing bears, deer, coyotes and other wildlife is such a special part of visiting the Eastern Sierra. But, you might be surprised to find that seeing wild animals flips the predatory switch in your normally peaceful, friendly dog. This is dangerous for the native species as well as your dog, so we hope to see more dog owners keeping their dogs on leash in wild areas.
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Leaving dogs alone in an unfamiliar place. Being in a new place can be equally fun and anxiety-inducing for dogs. And it’s not uncommon to hear a dog who normally doesn’t have separation anxiety howling while their owners are up on the mountain. If you’re not sure how your dog will react, we would recommend leaving them in the care of one of our local dog sitters to make sure they’re having as good of a vacation as you are!
In: Taking advantage of the “shoulder” seasons
The busiest seasons in Mammoth are winter and summer, but this year, we hope that more people will see how magical the so-called “off seasons” really are. There are so many reasons to love a spring or fall visit, including:
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spring wildflower blooms
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leaf peeping in autumn
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early or late season fishing
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more chances to see migratory wildlife such as deer, elk, and birds
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less traffic around town, at the mountain, and on the trails
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deals on accommodations
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special events like Mule Days in Bishop (in May) or Trail Fest in Mammoth (in September)
If you’re looking for a more relaxed visit to the Eastern Sierra packed with hidden gems, plan your visit in the shoulder season!
Out: Making busy seasons even more chaotic
To be sure, we also totally understand why people visit Mammoth during the peak tourist seasons instead of the shoulder seasons. We, too, enjoy as many powder days as we can during winter and go camping at Twin Lakes in the summer. After all, these are the busiest times of year for a reason! But, there are a few habits that we can all ditch in 2026 to make the high seasons a little bit more manageable:
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Driving everywhere. Mammoth has an amazing free public transit system that too many people sleep on! By hopping on a bus or trolley, you can help keep the roads safe and clear during the busiest seasons. Or, if you’re here in the summer, consider biking! Whether you opt for an e-bike or a good old fashioned human-powered bike, you can take advantage of Mammoth’s extensive, well-connected bike path system.
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Not booking equipment rentals ahead of time. It’s always frustrating to miss out on quality time on the mountain because you’re stuck in line at the rental shop. Booking ahead of time and picking up your gear the evening before can help you beat the crowds.
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Doing your shopping after 4pm. It makes total sense that you would schedule a trip to Vons after you’ve finished your day of boarding. But, when everyone has the same idea, things get chaotic! Instead, our pro tip would be to get to the mountain an hour later on your first morning so that you stock up for the entirety of your visit while Vons is relatively empty.
In: Less screentime, more touching grass
Less screentime is one of those 2026 trends that is happening all over the world, not just in Mammoth. But in our humble opinion, Mammoth happens to be one of the best places in the world to ditch the phone and enjoy nature face-to-face. If you’ve been feeling like you need to “touch grass” more often, go ahead and take a hike to Sky Meadows or try your hand at fly fishing in Owens Valley. Take a moment (preferably more) to look up at the starry night sky and don’t say no to a snowball fight.
Sure, take a picture here and there to remember your trip (and tag us on Instagram at @Mammothres because we want to see those pictures, too!) But don’t live your entire vacation behind a screen. This is 2026, and we’re getting back to IRL experiences!
What’s on your list of 2026 trends?
Are you looking to improve your skiing form? Craft the perfect snowman? Sleep under the stars? No matter what your goals are for 2026, there’s no better place to achieve them than up here in Mammoth Lakes!