The Mammoth Minute
By the Mammoth Black Tie Ski & Bike Rentals
Black Tie Updates
At Black Tie Skis of Mammoth, we believe epic ski & bike vacations start with fresh tracks, first chairs, and hoots and hollers on the slopes – not in a long rental line. Kick off your vacation the right way with the most convenient way to rent E-Bikes, MTN Bikes, SUPS, kayaks & water tubes, and more!
⭐Bike Delivery Service: Want your equipment delivered? We will bring top-of-the-line e-Bikes, e-mountain bikes, mountain bikes and paddleboards to your vacation accommodation.
⭐Guided Bike Tours & Shuttle Service: A guided e-bike/e-mountain bike tour of beautiful Mammoth Lakes is the best way to explore/adventure and learn about the area. You’ll get to see the most amazing mountain views, lakes, streams, and vistas the Sierra Nevada has to offer. See some of the highlight spots in our town and get a good lay of the land. Just need a lift? Our bike shuttle services make it easy to maximize your time on the trails by providing convenient uphill transportation to biking trailheads.
⭐Bike Repair: We offer a wide range of tuning and repair services for your e-bikes and e-mountain bikes, with the best turnaround times in town! Stop by 501 Old Mammoth Rd or call 760.934.7009 for services.
⭐20% off all bike rentals with code: MINUTE20
→ Book Here
Sierra Conditions
Weather Forecast:
→ Summer is in full swing! Mammoth Lakes is officially in summer mode, with Mammoth Bike Park is open from 9am – 6pm.
👉 See the full weather forecast: 7-Day Weather Forecast – Mammoth Lakes
Bike Park & Trail/Road Conditions:
→U.S. Forest Service tree thinning operations near Chair 9 are currently impacting access to Paper Route, Timber Ridge, Juniper, Manzanita, and Lakes Trail (Check Here for Bike Park Information)
→ Reds Meadow Shuttle summer operational schedule out of Main Lodge (Check Here for Red’s Meadow Information)
→ Information on road openings and upcoming spring/summer access, including Yosemite’s new reservations systems (Check Here)
Snowpack Outlook & Backcountry Conditions:
→Regional snowpack observations & forecast (Check Here)
Trail & Road Openings:
→ Information on road openings and upcoming spring/summer access, including Yosemite’s new reservations systems (Check Here)
Wildflower Timing:
→ Sierra wildflower season (Check Here)
Special Offers & Local Deals
Planning a trip to Mammoth?
Check out current deals, lodging packages, and seasonal offers available around town.
👉 Get outdoors and explore your own backyard!
Choose Outbound Mammoth and receive 10% off just for being a CA or NV resident. Guests must show CA or NV state ID upon check-in.
👉 Bar Sierra: Mammoth’s unbeatable Happy Hour spot!
Everyday from 4pm to 5:30pm. Enjoy discounted well drinks, wine, beer and special happy hour bites! Come in at for Late Night Happy Hour starts at 9pm with drink specials until 10:30!
👉 Thinking about summer?
Sign up for TrekSierra’s Backpacking & Llama Adventures newsletter for pre-season discounts up to 25% off adventures!
→ Trails Tails & Llamas Newsletter (TrekSierra)
→ treksierra.com
Mammoth’s Featured Businesses & Local Heroes
Featured Local Business: TrekSierra
For those looking to experience the Sierra beyond the lifts, TrekSierra offers fully supported backcountry journeys designed with comfort, intention, and refinement.
Their signature llama-supported treks provide an optional, unique way to explore the wilderness. Sure-footed llamas carry most of the group’s gear, allowing for:
- Gourmet backcountry meals
- Premium ultralight equipment
- Comfortable camp luxuries
Each itinerary is custom-crafted and led by expert guides focused on safety, seamless logistics, and a personalized pace. It’s an immersive way to reconnect — with the landscape, your group, and yourself — without compromising comfort.
👉 Sign up for TrekSierra’s Backpacking & Llama Adventures newsletter for pre-season discounts up to 25% off! →
→ Trails Tails & Llamas Newsletter (TrekSierra)
→ treksierra.com
Featured Local Hero: Chase Leary & Robert Stanford
Chase Leary, 34, a third-generation Mammoth local, has spent the last decade on Ski Patrol at Mammoth Mountain, where he now serves as a training coordinator. Each winter, he responds to 100–300 medical incidents—work that is equal parts technical skill, instinct, and composure under pressure. Patrol, he says, is demanding and often unforgiving—but defined by trust, shared risk, and an unwavering responsibility to the people around you.
Safety on the mountain is constantly evolving. Recent additions—expanded helicopter access and landing zones—have significantly improved emergency response times, while new Remote Avalanche Control (RAC) towers signal a shift toward more proactive avalanche mitigation.
Leary’s path to patrol wasn’t linear. He began his career in welding before trading the shop for the mountain in 2016. Climbing, however, has always been his foundation. Introduced by his father, he now spends his summers establishing some of the most challenging routes across the Eastern Sierra with his partner Andy Puhvel, from the granite faces of the Hulk to the high alpine terrain of the Mt. Whitney zone.
His grandfather, Robert Stanford, arrived in Mammoth in 1959 with a vision that would help shape the region’s future. By 1960, he had done what others thought impossible—opening Tamarack Lodge for winter operations. He later co-founded Mammoth Aviation, bringing early air ambulance services to the Eastern Sierra, and, alongside his wife Joann, operated several of the area’s lodges. A longtime civic leader and Mono County Supervisor from 1978 to 1989, Stanford’s influence extended well beyond business, helping guide Mammoth through decades of growth while preserving its sense of community.
Together, their stories—one rooted in the mountain’s early days, the other unfolding on its slopes today—reflect a shared legacy of stewardship, grit, and a deep commitment to life in Mammoth.
Upcoming Events
Downhill Village Championships: July 10, July 31, Aug 14, Sept 4
The Village Championship Downhill Series is a series of downhill mountain biking competitions open to the public, hosted at Mammoth Bike Park.
👉 Learn More & Register HERE
Mammoth Jazz Festival: July 10-11th
Enjoy two nights of free live jazz music and a Wine Walk in The Village Plaza.
👉 Learn More HERE
Mammoth Reggae Festival: July 17th-19th
Enjoy classic reggae beats, ice cold brews and food in The Village Plaza all weekend at this free, all-ages music festival.
👉 Learn More HERE
Mammoth Villagefest: July 24-26th
Head to The Village Plaza to enjoy delicious food and drinks from local vendors while listening to live rock ‘n’ roll.
👉 Learn More HERE
Mammoth Lakes Pedalpalooza: July 25th
SEMBA is proud to present the Mammoth PedalPalooza. The course is comprised of 90% single tracks with small sections of fire roads for passing.
👉 Learn More HERE
Mammoth Margarita Fest: August 7-8th
A lively celebration in The Village at Mammoth featuring all things tequila with Latin-inspired food and music.
👉 Learn More HERE
Mammoth History & Fun Facts
- At 11,053 feet, Mammoth Mountain lives up to its enormous reputation with 3,500+ acres of skiable terrain and the highest lift-served skiing in California.
- Founded by Dave McCoy in 1953, Mammoth has maintained its reputation for friendly locals, laid-back culture, and world-class skiing for over 70 years.
- Nearly half of the 173 trails are intermediate level, making it perfect for groups with mixed skiing abilities.
👉 Fun Fact
The name “Mammoth” came from the Mammoth Consolidated Mine, a gold and silver mine discovered in the late 1800s. The name referred to something huge or impressive, not woolly mammoths.
👉 Have a question about Mammoth Lakes?
Email us at [email protected] to submit your question, and we may feature it in next month’s edition!
About Black Tie Ski & Bike Rentals
Skip the rental lines and get straight to the mountain.
Black Tie Ski & Bike Rentals of Mammoth delivers premium ski, snowboard, and bike gear directly to your hotel, home, or vacation rental.
Their concierge service helps you:
- Get professionally fitted equipment
- Avoid rental shop lines
- Spend more time on the mountain
From beginner gear to high-performance setups, they have equipment for every level of rider- winter or summer!
⭐ From Our Guests
“Absolutely fantastic service from start to finish! The team that came out to the hotel was beyond amazing—so accommodating, patient, and easy to work with. My luggage didn’t arrive on time, and I didn’t have my ski boots for the initial fitting, but they had no problem meeting me at two different locations and coming back a second time without any hassle. Above-and-beyond customer service like this is rare. Highly recommend!” — Kimberly S.