 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi all staying at Yosemite Lodge in the falls in May. How long does it take to get to Mammoth mountain?
Will there be snow?
Can I hire ski clothes as well as skis and boots?
Thanks for your help
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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You will struggle because Tioga pass may not be open by then, in fact, I seriously doubt it will be open. This means you have to go all the way round. It's a long way. There will be snow at mammoth and the ships will all be open. I was there in September and everything was open. It's a year round resort. If, big if, Tioga pass is open, from Yosemite valley to Mammoth is about 2.5 hours. There is also June mountain, about 15 miles north of Mammoth which is well worth a stop.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Which part of May? It'll be critical.
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Will there be snow?
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There will be snow. And as Ricklovesthepowder noted, the snow will be a hinderance for your travel between Yosemite and Mammoth.
But that doesn't mean there will be skiing. You need to check if they still run their lifts.
If you want ANY chance of skiing at all, I'd suggest you do the skiing first and go to Yosemite afterward. Makes for a more pleasent experience for both too.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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In my experience you can ski all the way up until independence day. Should almost definitely be guaranteed snow in May.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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abc, first week of May. Looks like I'm best off staying in Yosemite as we are only there for a few days.
Too long driving in the car when there will be such breathtaking scenery.
Any good ski shops in Yosemite?. Looking to updated my ski jacket. Am also driving from San Francisco. Any recommendations from there would also be greatly appreciated.
Many Thanks
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Gilroy Premium Outlets near San Jose on the way from SF - it's not directly on the path but if you want the US outlet mall shopping experience, it's a good one and worth the 45 min detour.
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| Ricklovesthepowder wrote: |
| There will be snow at mammoth and the ships will all be open. I was there in September and everything was open. It's a year round resort. |
Not sure that's strictly true - I was in Mammoth in September 2009 as part of a driving tour of the West (an overnight stay on the way to Yosemite) and it was in the mid-20s and not a speck of snow to be seen on the mountain.
EDIT: just re-read your post and I assume you mean the shops were open in September, not the slopes?
Last edited by Then you can post your own questions or snow reports... on Fri 17-01-14 14:03; edited 1 time in total
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I have driven extensively around that part of California, I very much doubt the pass would be open 1st week of May. You can look on the Yosemite national park website to see the opening dates of the road for the last 20 years etc. If it was open, it would be a wonderfully scenic journey through Toulumne Meadows/the high sierra down to Mono lake and then swing a right down to Mammoth, it's about an hour as I recall.
I don't recall any ski shops in Yosemite at all. Best bet would be en route from San Fran/in and around San Fran.
The falls should be spectacular at that time of year, the melting snowpack makes for good viewing. It was dry when I was there 
Enjoy!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Thanks guys
v1cky24, that does sound truly amazing
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For shopping, your best best is doing it in SF.
REI has several store in the San Fran/San Jose area, look it up online to see which one's on your way. The outlet mall is also pretty unique but I'm not sure you'll find high quality ski jacket there. More for shirts and such.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Based on the season so far in the US West, there may well not be any snow in May anyway. Its shaping up to be one of the driest in history.
Realistically, if the pass is open, Mammoth is unlikely to have any skiing worth doing.
Alternatively, if there is plenty of snow, forget the driving, Yosemite to Mammoth would be a really nice 3 day ski tour... I was there in mid-late June 2005 when the pass was shut and there was still snow in Mammoth town. Skiing was apparently pretty good!
I went in Sept just gone. Tioga was shut due to wildfires, its a LONG way round over Sonora pass instead. A 6hr drive from San Fran turned into 9.
Whatever you do, have fun, its a beautiful part of the world.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Considering California is now in a state of emergency due to drought, there may be no snow left in May. And the long term forecast isn't showing much improvement. However, heavy snowfall in April, May and June are not unheard of, so things could change. Caltrans currently has Sonora and Tioga passes closed for the winter.
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The Mammoth summit is only 300m higher than Tioga Pass and only 30 minutes drive away. The pass is seriously high (almost 10,000ft) and very cold even in summer. It's just not going to happen... or not going to be worth it.
Whitters, we were there mid Sept, two days after Tioga Road opened. It saved us an extra 150 miles driving to get there from Death Valley as we were staying at a house at West Yosemite, in the park. We were very relieved when it opened!! What a stunning place Yosemite is. Glacier Point is probably the most beautiful place I have been too. If Mammoth is dry, I would go to Yosemite!
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