5 Winter Activities in Mammoth Lakes Other than Skiing & Snowboarding

Mammoth Lakes is renowned for legendary, world-class skiing and snowboarding at Mammoth Mountain, but there is more to do here in the winter, both on and off the snow. Plan ahead to incorporate some different activities and entertainment into your Mammoth Lakes winter vacation. When you’re ready to take a break from the slopes, check out these awesome options to rest your legs or give some different muscle groups a workout!

Sledding & Tubing

There’s nothing like sledding down a hill with the wind in your face to make you feel like a kid again! Many stores in Mammoth Lakes sell sleds, and some lodging properties may have sleds available to borrow.

The best hills for sledding on your own are just outside of town off the Mammoth Scenic Loop or along the 395 corridor. Local parks like Shady Rest are great if you want to pull younger kids around in the snow and make a few snow angels. Use common sense and avoid areas with a lot of trees or runouts into roads, and consider wearing a helmet for warmth and protection. Sledding is prohibited at the ski area—please observe the posted signs. 

If you want the thrill of sledding without all the work, check out Woolly’s Tube Park & Snowplay. A moving walkway takes you and your tube to the top of the groomed lanes. The ride up is almost as enjoyable as the thrilling slide down!

You’ll quickly be hooked and ready to go over and over again. Younger kids who aren’t tall enough to tube down the big hill will enjoy the snow play area and a gentle tube ride on Woolly’s Merry-Go-Round.   

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is a terrific way to get outside and explore at your own pace. If you can walk, you can snowshoe! The Ski Renter and Mammoth Mountaineering Supply offer snowshoe rentals, and snowshoeing is also available at Tamarack Cross Country Ski Center.

Wear sturdy, waterproof boots or hiking shoes and dress in layers. Be sure to bring along plenty of water and some snacks.

The trails at Shady Rest Park are a good place to start; you may snowshoe on the groomed trails but must avoid stepping into the set tracks that are for cross country skiers only. Once you’re comfortable and ready to tackle a bit more climbing, take the shared-use trail up to Minaret Vista for stunning views. From there you can progress to breaking trail on a number of rewarding hikes. For a memorable excursion, book a guided, full moon snowshoe tour at Tamarack. 

Ice Skating

Ice skating is a classic winter sport everyone can enjoy. It’s the perfect activity to get some exercise on a day when you aren’t on the mountain, and can also be a nice après-ski outing whether you’re carving up the ice or sipping a hot chocolate and watching skaters glide by. The Mammoth Ice Rink is a full-service, lighted outdoor ice rink offering skating from late November through February. The rink is operated by the Town of Mammoth Lakes and provides skate rentals, lessons, concessions and a variety of programs like pickup hockey, as well as special events. Since the ice rink is open air, it does close during storms and may take some time to reopen while snow is being removed.

Bowling

Looking for an indoor activity? The Mammoth Rock ‘n’ Bowl is the perfect place to spend a stormy day, or really any day or evening. The beautifully designed, ultra-modern facility opened in 2014 to rave reviews and offers bowling and quite a bit more!

Gather some friends and grab one of the 12 lanes to bowl a few frames, then check out one of the three golf simulators, or try your hand at Foosball, darts or Ping Pong. There’s great pub food and a full-service bar and lounge downstairs, while the Brasserie upstairs serves some of the finest food in Mammoth Lakes with spectacular, unobstructed views of the Sherwins and Mammoth Rock. 

Après Ski Yoga

After a day on the slopes, unwind with some après yoga. A number of studios in town offer restorative and hot yoga classes after lifts are closed for the day, so you’ll have plenty of time to get off the mountain and into relaxation mode. The classes focus helping your body and mind to relax and recover after a day of high-energy adventures. Check out Après Zen and Snowcreek Athletic Club for details on class schedules and pricing.