Mammoth Mountain is known as one of the nation’s most impressive and epic ski destinations. The slopes are numerous, challenging, and gorgeous, offering breathtaking views as visitors glide along snowy ridges. Outside of skiing and snowboarding, there are many family-friendly Mammoth Lakes winter activities waiting to be discovered. Whether you want to experience the beauty of winter on snowshoeing trails or adrenaline-pumping snowmobile adventures, stay close to the action with 1849 Mountain Rentals!
1. & 2. Snowshoeing & Cross-Country Skiing
Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are two of our favorite family-friendly activities that everyone can enjoy. What makes these sports special is the ability to access quiet and often unseen majestic mountain landscapes. Luckily, Mammoth Lakes is home to a world-class and renowned cross-country skiing and snowshoeing with over 150 miles of trails.
Tamarack Cross-Country Ski Center
We recommend beginning your snowshoeing and cross-skiing adventures at Tamarack Cross-County Ski Center in Mammoth Lakes. The center is an excellent place to get a sense of the area while exploring one-of-a-kind trails with incredible views! The center has over 19 miles of groomed track weaving in and around the Mammoth Lakes Basin. Tamarack provides everything you need to start with equipment rentals, lessons, programs, and clinics available for beginners to experts.
Tamarack Cross-Country Ski Center is open daily and offers discounts to military and Ikon pass holders.
Tips for Snowshoeing & Cross-Country Skiing
- Sign up for a lesson at Tamarack Cross Country Ski Center.
- Dress in layers to keep warm and dry on the trails.
- Wear a high SPF to avoid sunburn at this altitude.
- Pack healthy snacks and plenty of water before you start your adventure.
- Reserve your cross country or snowshoeing gear ahead of time.
3. Snowmobiling
Mammoth Lakes is home to over 100 miles of trails that are snowmobile-friendly. Take a once-in-a-lifetime tour with your family with Mammoth Snowmobile Adventures based at Mammoth Mountain’s Main Lodge.
Mammoth Snowmobile Adventures
You and your group will be led by a trained and seasoned guide on entry-level trails. The tours do not require any experience, so you will be given a demonstration on steering, shifting gears, and your position on the machine. You will also be fitted with a helmet and undergo a quick safety briefing before you embark on this Mammoth Lakes winter adventure. The teams will then cover the popular Mammoth snowmobile trails and what to look for, such as wildlife and where to stop for incredible views.
Snowmobiles allow for a passenger so a parent may ride with their child or a couple may ride together. We suggest arriving at least 45 minutes before the departure time. Tours may be canceled or rescheduled without warning due to inclement weather.
How Do I Get There?
Mammoth Snowmobile Adventures is at 10200 Minaret Road, between the Mammoth Mountain Inn and across the parking lot from Mammoth Mountain’s Main Lodge. You can take the free bus from your 1849 Mountain Rentals to the Village at Mammoth and then transfer to the red line. Make sure to pick up a free transit map in the 1849 Mountain Rentals office lobby.
4. Ice Skating
Skating at the Mammoth Ice Rink is a popular and affordable family-friendly activity, but it’s the view that will take your breath away! This ice rink boasts 360-degree views of the mountains surrounding Mammoth Lakes. The rink is open from the end of December through February, and rentals are available on-site.
5. Woolly’s Tube Park and Snow Play
“Full-on fun” is what you’re bound to have at Woolly’s Tube Park and Snow Play. For years, this attraction has captivated bundled-up visitors. Woolly’s Tube Park and Snow Play are situated in the heart of Mammoth Lakes’ offering an exciting adventure for all, complete with snowy rides, snacks, and memories.
Woolly’s Tube Park
Let the 500-foot lift tow you and your tube to the top of the hill, where you’ll sit down and let gravity do the rest. Zoom down one of six tube lanes, groomed to perfection for maximum speed. Enjoy a thrilling trip down the hill – be sure to smile wide for any family members trying to catch a photo of you on the way down.
Guests typically ride in their own tube but are tethered together for safety. The most common arrangement is one larger tube for an adult connected to a smaller one for a child going down the hill as a pair. Please note that children must be at least 42 inches tall to use the tube park.
Woolly’s Snow Play
Younger kids will love the Snow Play area, which offers a big play site full of the best Mammoth Lakes winter activities. The mini-hills with smaller tubes are a safe and fun way for young kiddos to join in on the fun. There is also a snowman-building area where kids’ imaginations can run wild, making snowy creations.
If you need to warm up, there is a heated deck and a snack bar adjacent to the Snow Play area. Here, you can relax with some cocoa, food options, and even a beer. You also aren’t far from our slopeside rentals, making Woolly’s a convenient and accessible trip for our 1849 guests.
How to Get to Woolly’s Tube Park & Snow Play
The free bus stops right in front of our properties at 1849 Mountain Rentals. If you stay at Snowbird Condos, walk across the parking lot to the Canyon Lodge bus stop. If you stay at 1849 Condos or Sierra Megeve, the bus stop is on Lakeview Boulevard, directly across from the 1849 Mountain Rentals office. Disembark at the Village at Mammoth, walk through the Village and cross Lake Mary Road to bus stop 18. Here you’ll catch the red line to Main Lodge. Woolly’s Tube Park & Snow Play is at stop 19. Make sure to pick up a free transit map in the 1849 Mountain Rentals office lobby.
Looking For Truly Unique? Ice Climb, Helicopter Or Snowcat Tour!
Get ready to cross off some bucket list items this winter. Mammoth Lakes has five truly unique offerings – ice climbing tours, helicopter tours, backcountry tours, snowcat tours, and guided winter fishing. Each has options for children too! Read more about each of these tours in our latest blog.
Book Your Trip
1849 Mountain Rentals is the perfect place if you want to stay closer and play closer to mountain activities. Our condos provide a relaxing atmosphere with spacious layouts your friends and family will love. Join us for a memorable Mammoth Lakes winter getaway!
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