Mammoth Mountain, California

Height of Resort: 5490ft
Vertical rise: 7953ft
Acres skiable: 3500
Lifts: 29



Mammoth situated south of Yosemite National park, claims to have the highest snowfall of any resort in America (over 360") - so the ski season often lasts all the way through to June. And not content with just a great snow record, Mammoth also boasts that the sun shines over 80% of the time. The resort is a favorite weekend party-zone for LA dwellers, who come for the exhilirating skiing and fun partying.

The ski area's enormous - only the lower slopes have defined trails, the upper mountain is pretty much open-access skiing, with bowls, steeps, and chutes.

Beginners will feel at-home in the well-managed and run ski school. For intermediates, there's a large range of terrain to choose from, including some brilliant skiing off the otherside of the mountain. Conditions permitting, experts make for the very summit, which drops off to one side via Panorama ridge. This is the start point for a number of steep couloirs which fall into the bowl beneath.

There's lots of accommodation available - pick to either lodge at the Mammoth mountain ski village, for quick access to the gondola, or stay in Mountain Lakes town, about 4 miles away (cheaper, and connected to the ski base area by a free shuttle bus).

Best Ski Resort's rating : Experts 3 stars out of 5, Intermediates 3 out of 5, Beginners 4 out of 5. Happy times 5 stars out of 5.