What's up left coast, coming from NY for NYE and want to bundle in some riding. I have some time out there and I'm weighing my options for getting in some good pow.

I know Mammouth is the place to be, everyone says this, but I'm not sure a 5hr drive is in store, who knows though anything can happen.

My question to you all is, how is big bear / snow summit? Based on the map it looks like a decent locals mountain. Is it readily available from LA (hollywood)? What should be expected of the conditions, like is it generally warm or is it brick ass cold with a steep windchill? How are the glades there? Are there decent tree runs? Is it thick and dense?

Now, if I were considering hauling to Mammouth, any low downs on keeping it on the cheap? I'm sure it's a 5hr drive or so, which isn't bad since we do that here on the east up to Vermont, just staying by Mammouth for a few days, what's that entail? I fear the resort-like prices since it seems fairly removed from a big city.

Ok, so I know hopping a Horizon's flight will get me there in an hr, no problem, my main issue is keeping cost down. Is there places to stay close to Mammouth that I can just roll up there and book a night or two to crash out or do I have to 'plan in advance' and make a reservation?

I got a week before I dip west, appreciate the info in advance

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Mammoth is probably going to be where you want to go. The conditions is Big Bear are awful right now and unless a huge, cold system come thru, its going to be bad when you are here. Its been raining up there for the last week which has washed away what little snow they had. Snow Summit has been closed until they get more snow.

If you want cheap and easy mt high is the way to go, about an hour away. Big bear is a better resort, but not by much and it is 2 hours away. Bear can get really cold..

Cool realistically how far of a drive is mammouth and what are the sleeping options there?

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I PUT TRADEMARKS AROUND YO MOTHAFUCKIN EYE
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Are you staying in LA? The drive can vary depending on the route you take and traffic. I've gotten there from Long Beach around 4 hours. Of course there was no rain or anything. Mammoth is the best place for snowboarding, and skiing, since it's higher in elevation. Big Bear is nice too, but for being the first time out I would go for Mammoth.

I stay at the Village Lodge. It varies in price. it's like $800-$1200 a day. If you have a lot of people the price doesn't seem so much. Mountain Mammoth Inn is another place I stayed. Nice place. prices vary from like $400 and up.

http://www.mammothmountain.com/

Drive is around 5-6hrs to Mammoth from LA depending on how fast you drive and the weather conditions up there. Big Bear is over an hr from LA.

If you plan on staying a few nights, Mammoth hands down is the place to go to. Big Bear is usually leave in the morning snowboard all day and drive back home in the evening.

Both places have tons of hospitality, but Mammoth has way more because its a larger place.

But like everyone said, because Bear isn't as large and is down here in SoCal the snow conditions are iffy at times. There is a storm right now so if you come soon there is real fresh powder on the ground right now.

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Originally posted by Nerologic There is a storm right now so if you come soon there is real fresh powder on the ground right now.

This has been a warm storm and all they have received is rain. The lows haven't been below freezing. I went to Snow Summit last week and most of the mountain was closed. The conditions in socal are garbage right now.

quote:

Originally posted by get nyce Cool realistically how far of a drive is mammouth and what are the sleeping options there?

You might check out staying in Bishop. Its a lot cheaper then Mammoth and is a pretty short drive to Mammoth.

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Originally posted by GPC This has been a warm storm and all they have received is rain. The lows haven't been below freezing. I went to Snow Summit last week and most of the mountain was closed. The conditions in socal are garbage right now.

Ahh wow, I didn't know that...

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Its got to be killing the resorts. Winter break is usually their busiest time.

Yeah, this storm is known as the "Pineapple Express" (hah!) because it's pulling tropical moisture in that's originating around Hawaii. Warmer rain.

Snow levels are like above 8,000 feet in this storm.