🍷 The Ski Trip You Should Take Before There’s Any Snow

Hey Ski Fam,

Last week we got the news we had all been waiting for: Mammoth Opening Day is set for November 13. ❄️ Just like that, winter suddenly felt a whole lot closer.

But here's the funny part. You don't have to wait until November to have a great Mammoth weekend.

In fact, this weekend might be one of the best excuses yet to point the car north, escape the SoCal heat, and spend a few days in the mountains. And this time, you can leave the skis at home. 😄

🍷 Mammoth Wine Weekend Is Here

Mammoth Wine Weekend runs August 14–15, and if you've been looking for a reason to head back to the Eastern Sierra, I think you just found it.

The big event is the Village Wine Walk on Saturday, August 15, from 4–8 PM. More than 30 wineries will be pouring in The Village, along with live music and plenty of that Mammoth summer vibe.

There's something fun about walking through The Village in shorts when you know you'll soon be clomping across the same pavement in ski boots. And let's be clear, carrying a wine glass is a lot easier than carrying skis, poles, gloves, and a coffee at the same time. 😂

The weekend also includes winemaker dinners around Mammoth. One of the more unique options is a five-course dinner at Parallax, reached by gondola at about 9,600 feet.

Wine, dinner, a gondola ride, and an Eastern Sierra sunset? That's a pretty strong hand. 🍷🏔️

And yes, you’ll need to be 21+ with a valid ID to take part in the Wine Walk tastings.

🎿 Here's Why Skiers Should Care

I think ski towns become even better when you get to know them beyond the lift line.

There's something funny about seeing Mammoth without snow. You look toward the mountain and your ski brain starts filling in all the missing pieces.

You picture the groomers. You can almost see the skis leaning against the racks and hear somebody clomping across the pavement in boots.

That's when the winter itch starts.

Right now, we're only 92 days from Mammoth's planned November 13 Opening Day. ❄️ Somehow, 92 days sounds much better than saying winter is still months away.

🚵 The Mountain Has Another Surprise This Weekend

Wine isn't the only thing happening. The Downhill Village Championships are set for Friday, August 14, from 2:30–5:30 PM at Mammoth Bike Park.

It's a grassroots downhill mountain bike race, and I like to think of it as ski racing's dusty summer cousin. 🚵 Different gear, same mountain, and the same questionable desire to go downhill much faster than common sense would suggest. 😄

That's one of my favorite things about Mammoth.

The snow melts. The mountain doesn't stop. It just changes toys.

🏔️ My Simple Mammoth Weekend Plan

If I were heading up this weekend, I wouldn't overthink it. I'd keep the plan simple:

• Friday: Get into town and catch some of the downhill bike action.

• Saturday morning: Hike, bike, fish, or grab coffee and enjoy the cool mountain air.

• Saturday afternoon: Head toward The Village for the Wine Walk from 4–8 PM if you're 21+.

• Sunday: Take the slow road home and start planning that first ski trip.

No powder chase. No 5 AM lift-line alarm. No checking the snow report 14 times before breakfast.

Just Mammoth.

Sometimes that's enough.

❄️ Maybe Summer Is Part of Ski Season Too

Here's the thing about being a skier in Southern California: we spend a lot of time waiting.

We wait for November, storms, road openings, and that one ski buddy who takes six hours to answer the group text. Eventually, somebody finally asks the magic question: "Are we going?"

Summer can feel like the longest wait of all, but I've stopped thinking about it that way. Summer is part of ski season too.

It's when I remember why I love mountain towns in the first place. The cool air, trails, lakes, people, and long Sierra sunsets are all part of the same story.

Then one evening the temperature drops just enough that you suddenly think, winter is coming.

That feeling alone can be worth the drive. 🏔️

🍷 There's Another Reason I Like This Weekend

Mammoth Wine Weekend is hosted by the Mammoth Mountain Community Foundation, and the event helps support local youth programs.

I like that because a ski town is much more than lifts, trails, and snowmaking guns. It's a community filled with people who live there long after the weekend crowds head home.

When an event gives us a fun reason to visit while also helping that community, that's a win in my book.

🏔️ Maybe Mammoth Doesn't Have an Off-Season

We tend to define Mammoth by winter: powder days, chairlifts, fresh corduroy, and opening weekend. Those are the things that made many of us fall in love with the place.

But they're not the whole story.

Summer gives us another side of Mammoth. There is biking, fishing, hiking, lakes, long sunsets, and this weekend, apparently, a little wine too. 🍷

Winter may introduce us to Mammoth. Summer reminds us why we keep coming back.

✨ The Big Lesson

You don't have to wait for snow to start enjoying ski season.

Go see the mountain. Walk the trails, ride the bike park, catch a sunset, have dinner with friends, and maybe raise a glass to the turns that are coming. 🍷❄️

Because before we know it, those dry trails will be white again. The bikes will disappear, the skis will come out, and somebody in the group chat will finally send the message we've all been waiting for:

"It's dumping."

I'm ready for it. Are you?

✨ Summer Proverb

"The mountain may change its coat, but it never loses its magic." 🏔️❄️

💌 Quick Question

What's your favorite thing to do in Mammoth when there isn't snow on the ground?

Fishing, biking, hiking, or sitting beside a lake and doing absolutely nothing?

Hit reply and tell me your favorite summer Mammoth tradition. I may feature a few reader picks in an upcoming newsletter.

And if you have a ski buddy who thinks Mammoth shuts down when the snow melts, send this their way. You may have just found your excuse for one more summer road trip. 🚗🏔️

— Sasha Everett

P.S. We're building a community of California outdoor lovers just like you. The bigger our community grows, the more exclusive discounts, insider tips, and special offers we can bring you. Know someone who loves skiing, hiking, fishing, biking, or simply escaping to the mountains? 🌞 Share this newsletter and invite them to subscribe at 👉- https://skisocalinsider.com/