Mammoth Improvements: Summer in The Sierras Set for Take-off

California’s favorite summer playground is about to get some new equipment. With a number of new improvements, including a massive zipline, a Via Ferrata climbing route, the addition of e-bike access to the Mammoth Bike Park and a number of new restaurants in town, Mammoth Lakes continues to evolve as one of North America’s premier four-seasons mountain destinations.

A wide-ranging slate of events, including several festivals and races that are new this year, will keep things fresh throughout the summer and new amenities, including upgrades to the town’s co-working spaces and free bus travel to-and-from Yosemite for anyone flying into the Mammoth Lakes Airport, make it easy to plan a Mammoth Lakes summer getaway.

MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN IMPROVEMENTS 
-Mammoth Mega Zip: Set to open later this summer, Mammoth’s new zip line tour will offer the tallest vertical drop (2,100 ft) on a zip line in North America. Zippers can descend side-by-side on parallel cables that run more than a mile from the summit of Mammoth Mountain back down to the base for a thrill-inducing ride at speeds of up to 60 mph that’s literally unlike anything ever seen.

-Via Ferrata: a Via Ferrata is a protected climbing route, found in the Alps and Dolomites of Europe, that allows guests to more safely experience the thrills of rock climbing and mountaineering. At Mammoth, guests will clip themselves in to a steel cable that’s permanently fixed to the rock, climbing one of six routes as part of a fully-guided tour that begins with a gondola ride up and ends with the elation of having climbed to one of the best viewpoints in all of the Sierra.

-E-Bike Access: This summer the Mammoth Bike Park will become the first park operating on United States Forest Service land to allow full e-bike access. Class-1 e-bikes, which provide pedal assistance under 20mph, will be allowed on all trails, lifts and the gondola. A full fleet of Trek demo bikes, including e-bikes, will allow guests the thrill of two-wheeled freedom on one of the world’s best mountain bike parks.

-Kids Ropes Course: Located at the Adventure Center at Main Lodge, this elevated obstacle course is specifically designed for mini adventures. Climb, stretch, balance and crawl your way through 10 different elements that include a climbing net, log walk, planks, swings and more before you rappel back to the ground to finish.    

DINING AROUND TOWN 
-Samurai: Specializing in traditional Japanese Udon and Soba noodles, Samurai serves up the perfect fuel for exploring the mountains. All noodles are paired with hot soup, and an assortment of traditional fresh Japanese salads and appetizers like shrimp tempura have already proven to be fan favorites.

-Bongo Froyo: Self-serve frozen yogurt at its creamy, yummy finest with all the fruit and candy toppings. Froyo aficionado Ray Duncan’s kid-friendly concept serves up 10 rotating flavors, with the option to combine them in twists, along with more than 50 toppings and seven sauces.

EVENTS 
-Mammoth Yoga Festival: New this year, this four day event (June 14-17) will combine workshops, yoga sessions and outdoor activities focused on accessibility for Yogis and instructors of all levels. With events and workshops in wilderness locations and classrooms at or within close proximity to the Village Yoga Market, festival goers have a range of options, locations, styles and experiences to choose from.

-Bike Month: September is primetime for two-wheeled tourism in Mammoth Lakes. A number of events, including the Kamikaze Bikes Games (Sept. 21- 23), The Mammoth Gran Fondo ( Sept. 8), and the Caldera 250/ 500 (Sept. 28) throughout the month offer something for everybody, from roadies to mountain bikers and everything between.

AMENITIES 
-The Fort: Both Fort co-working spaces (slopeside at Main Lodge, and the downtown location in Old Mammoth) have been renovated for 2018. With lightning fast internet access, meeting spaces and a community of like-minded individuals, the Fort makes balancing work and play more fluid. Both Fort locations are available to all members, with one-day, weekly and monthly memberships also available. Also new for this year, the annual Fort membership option includes an Ikon Pass, providing season long ski/ride and bike access to Mammoth Mountain and 25 other destinations around the country.

-Bleu Market and Kitchen: Building on the success of the original Bleu specialty market, the new Market and Kitchen will see owners Brandon and Theresa Brocia expand the concept, moving into the former Chart House space in Old Mammoth. Now, with dining space and offering composed salads, organic baked goods, an on-site butchery and fresh produce, the Market and Kitchen is still home to the same experienced staff, ready and willing to guide you through the newly expanded inventory of delicacies, allowing 
customers to experience some the best foods and beverages in the world at the top of California.

-Fly to Mammoth and ride YARTS for free: This summer, guests flying into Mammoth Yosemite (MMH) airport on Alaska Airlines can present their boarding passes to the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) driver upon boarding the bus for a free ride to Yosemite. YARTS offers transportation for visitors who would prefer to travel by bus from outlying communities into Yosemite Valley, rather than drive themselves.