"Well we all need, someone, we can lean on, and if you want it, well you can lean on me." Let It Bleed Rolling Stones I will'nt go into verse two. Sometimes I just gotta catch my breath.
The only thing I would offer is if your doing Mammoth on the weekends, you might want to try leaving at 3:30 or 4:00 am Saturday morning .If you do a steady 75 on 395 these days , don’t anybody FREAK OUT that’s not speeding you won’t get a ticket, 76 and you might.5 hour drive no problem You will need to do 67 when you get to Randsburg all the way to the T at the 14 merge, that’s where the Highway Patrol guys get everybody.
I think the terrain under the chair keeps the riff raff away.I'm not a fan, kept the riff raff away
I friend suggested going through Wellington, it is a but further in miles but no traps and no 20MPH speed zones.I've found all of 395 is a speed trap. Especially in the towns. My friend who lives in Mammoth and worked in Bishop says that section is the most ticketed section of road in the state. Get a self driving Tesla and watch Harry Potter videos to pass the time at the speed limit up 395. It is a pretty easy drive once you clear LA. Just long.
Tip to skiing from Socal? Fly to Reno and ski Tahoe. My wife's record was under 4 hours travel time to the hill at Squaw from San Diego. Zoom out of the office to the airport, TSA pre checked, no flight delays, I picked her up at the airport on time , no traffic to Squaw and we got a few laps in! Reno is surprisingly reliable for direct flights. Don't connect in Vegas.
Big Bear is surprisingly fun. Mountain High is also good and an easy drive (unless it's a good weekend and the rest of LA gridlocks the road for you - Big Bear traffic might be worse). Count on manmade snow. Join a Masters racing group locally - I know some wonderful people there. I've had a couple excellent powder days in the local mountains. Nice steep high elevation hills. Too many snowboarders and too much grooming. Definitely worth it overall.
Consider June. I've only skied it once but it was a nice hill. None of the Mammoth crowds for just a little extra drive.
Regarding the ski club trips, party buses are fun - as long as you are part of the obnoxious party. It's a long time to party if you want to ski well that day. Or work the next day. But probably a great way to meet friends.
Eric
Do any Mammoth/SoCal folks know about the Wailers Ski Club out of LA, particularly their trips to Mammoth this winter? https://www.wailersskiclub.org/skitrips
Worth it? Seems like it’d be nice not to drive occasionally. And if it’s not, are there any tips about places to stay, discounts and/or general logistics for Mammoth? Besides this from @Viking9!
I've met a couple of people from Wailers over the years; don't recall any names or particulars. Seem to be a good bunch. All the LA Council clubs seem to be good bunches. I happened to fall in with the Edelweiss Ski Club about 10 years ago and have been coordinating with them.
I for one hate the ski bus trips and the obnoxious group of drunks that keep me awake the entire trip. YOMV. That said, I joined two different clubs that drive up to Mammoth. That works way better for me.
Any Reno/Tahoe folks want to head to Mammoth this week? @Tricia and I are thinking about heading down Wed or Thursday, is anyone going to be around?
Storm on the way
Clouds & wind building this morning