Family Guide to Mammoth Mountain: Where to Stay, Eat & Rent Gear for Kids

Mammoth Mountain is our favorite local spot to go snowboarding as a family. It’s still about a 6-7 drive from San Diego but it’s a great mountain with a beautiful hotel and lots of good restaurants. It feels like a mini vacation!

Where to Stay:

Our favorite is the Westin Monache Resort. We love the location since you can park your car and not have to drive again until you leave. The gondola is just a short walk and that will take you right to the mountain. The village is also walkable and has lots of shops and restaurants. We always book an Airbnb at this location. The hot tub is amazing after a long day at the mountain.

Where to Eat:

Mammoth Brewing Company is a great option! It’s walkable from the hotel, good food and a kids menu. They have a gameroom downstairs and outdoor seating in the warm weather. Other good options are Mammoth Pizza, Smokeyard and Canyon Lodge while taking a lunchbreak at the mountain.

What to Know:

Kids 4 and under ride free! We book beginner passes for me and our 2 youngest since we are still learning. Beginner passes are only $89 for adults and $50 for kids ages 5-12. These can only be booked the day of onsite. Save money on rentals by booking online 14+ days in advance. And be sure to get there as early as you can in the morning to pick up your rentals as lines can get pretty long.

Have you been to Mammoth Mountain?