The Winter Wildlife of Mammoth Mountain

October 01, 2026

Mammoth Mountain is not only home to some of the best skiing and riding in the country, but it's also the winter residence of a wide variety of Eastern Sierra wildlife.

Winter is a great time to view wildlife in Mammoth Lakes, and there's no better place to observe the local fauna than from one of Mammoth Mountain's chairlifts. Several species have adapted to make the most of the abundant snowfall that blankets the region for up to seven months of the year. Look for long-tailed weasels and white-tailed jackrabbits in white winter coats, along with ravens, Clark's nutcrackers, mountain chickadees and Steller's jays in the trees along the runs.

Spotting Mammals on Mammoth Mountain

Two of Mammoth Mountain's most striking winter residents trade their summer coats for white fur to blend into the snow.

Long-Tailed Weasels

The long-tailed weasel (Mustela frenata) is easy to recognize by its snow-white winter coat and long, black-tipped tail. A relative of the ferret and mink, the long-tailed weasel lives throughout North America and is a common winter resident of many ski areas in the western U.S.

These voracious predators feed on rodents and songbirds throughout the winter and are often most active during daylight hours, making sightings on Mammoth Mountain relatively common. Expect to see them darting between trees under the chairlifts of the lower mountain, especially around the Canyon Lodge area and Chair 4. If you listen carefully while skiing or riding, you may even hear them squealing or screeching as they hunt the forests.

White-Tailed Jackrabbits

The white-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus townsendii) is a large hare with chameleon-like abilities, transitioning from gray in the summer to almost completely white in the winter. Found throughout the West, the jackrabbit has adapted to survive in a wide variety of environments, including the high alpine of Mammoth Mountain.

Mostly nocturnal, the white-tailed jackrabbit survives on twigs and dried brush at high altitude throughout the winter. When startled from their resting spots in the snow, these spry hares are known to surprise skiers and riders on Mammoth Mountain. Look for them feeding around dusk during calm weather near Main Lodge or around Chair 12.

Birding on Mammoth Mountain

Plenty of birds stick around through the snowy months, and many of them are easy to spot from the lifts.

Ravens

One of the most abundant wild residents of Mammoth Mountain is the common raven (Corvus corax). These large, glossy black birds are extremely intelligent and social, and they live throughout North America. If you see a large, dark bird at Mammoth Mountain during the winter, it's likely a resident raven.

Inclement winter weather rarely deters ravens, and you can see them foraging and hunting in all areas of the ski resort. Listen for their deep, croaking "kraa" call, or watch as they soar gracefully above the trees and through the forests hunting for rodents. Also, keep an eye on your picnic when ravens are around, as they're cunning thieves that will eat almost anything.

Clark's Nutcrackers

The Clark's nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana) is a jay-sized gray bird with dark wings, a long black beak, and white-black-white patterned tail feathers. This perching songbird is named after explorer William Clark and lives in the high-elevation conifer forests of western North America.

In the Eastern Sierra, the Clark's nutcracker has a mutually beneficial relationship with the high-altitude whitebark pine. The nutcracker collects the pine seeds in summer and fall and stores them for winter, often not needing its entire stash, which helps the whitebark pine germinate in spring and summer. A single nutcracker can collect upwards of 100,000 seeds a year for winter sustenance.

You'll find Clark's nutcrackers throughout the lower elevations of Mammoth Mountain during the winter. Look for these industrious songbirds in the forests around Canyon and Eagle lodges, as well as near Chair 4.

Mountain Chickadees

A cheerful winter resident of Mammoth Mountain is the small mountain chickadee (Poecile gambeli). These round songbirds have a black cap with a distinctive white eyebrow stripe, a gray back and tail, and light to buff-colored chests. Their most recognizable feature is their call, a repeated "chick-a-dee-dee-dee" they trade among themselves as they hop between branches.

Often curious and friendly, mountain chickadees live in the trees of the lower to middle mountain. Watch for them feeding while hanging upside down in the pines or taking refuge in thick trees on the lower mountain during heavy snows. These songbirds are very photogenic, so have your camera handy.

Steller's Jays

One of the more boisterous winter residents of Mammoth Mountain is the Steller's jay (Cyanocitta stelleri). This medium-sized songbird has a deep blue body and a distinctive black crest on its head. The Steller's jay lives throughout western North America and is a close cousin of the common blue jay.

When visiting Mammoth Mountain, watch for groups of Steller's jays in loosely spaced conifer forests throughout the winter. You'll most often find them in the trees along the runs of the lower mountain, but these intrepid birds may also venture to the upper elevations of the ski resort in search of food. Often noisy, bold and cunning (especially in groups), they'll gladly take your lunch if you're not vigilant.

Winter Wildlife Spotting Tips

As with all wildlife, take only pictures, and please don't feed or disturb the furry and feathered natives of Mammoth Mountain. High alpine ecosystems are extremely delicate, and stable populations depend on preservation, education and respect.

For more information on the wildlife of Mammoth Mountain, contact the U.S. Forest Service representatives at the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center, or stop by 2510 Main Street to talk to someone in person.

Plan a Winter Wildlife Trip

Winter is also the best season to spot endangered Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep on their lower-elevation winter range south of town. For quieter wildlife watching away from the lifts, strap on snowshoes and explore the Mammoth Lakes Trail System in winter. Give yourself a few nights to explore both, and browse hotels, motels and resorts in Mammoth Lakes to plan your stay.

FAQ

What animals live on Mammoth Mountain in winter?

Winter residents include long-tailed weasels, white-tailed jackrabbits, common ravens, Clark's nutcrackers, mountain chickadees and Steller's jays.

Where is the best place to see wildlife on Mammoth Mountain?

The lower mountain offers the most sightings. Look around Canyon Lodge, Eagle Lodge and Chair 4 for weasels and birds, and near Main Lodge and Chair 12 around dusk for jackrabbits.

Why do animals on Mammoth Mountain turn white in winter?

Long-tailed weasels and white-tailed jackrabbits trade their brown or gray summer coats for white fur in winter, which helps them blend into the snow and hide from predators or prey.

Can you feed the birds on Mammoth Mountain?

No. Please don't feed or disturb any wildlife. Human food harms wild animals and makes birds like ravens and Steller's jays bolder around people.

Author

Jason Abplanalp

Jason Abplanalp first discovered the Eastern Sierra lifestyle six years ago and after brief tenures in Colorado and Idaho, Jason returned to the mountain town he truly loves, Mammoth Lakes, CA. As an avid skier, mountain biker, hiker, and fisherman, Jason believes there is no better place for his family to call home. Jason has a PhD in the geological sciences and when he is not outside playing in the mountains or writing about his adventures, he is designing field studies and data generative programs for clients employed by the mineral extraction industry.