Skiers and riders crowd the top of the mountain. Non-skiers can ride a new gondola from the main lodge to Mammoth’s summit and wander through the Sierra Interpretive Center and enjoy views of the Sierra peaks. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
The new and improved Mammoth Mountain is still affordable for families if you know how to hunt for bargains. Skiers and snowboarders on the slopes at Mammoth. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Budget-minded snowboarder Ryan Groat and son Luka, 4, of Huntington Beach enjoy sledding at Mammoth Mountain ski resort. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
A skier races down the slopes at Mammoth. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Instead of taking $65-an-hour ski lessons at Mammoth Mountain, 5-year-old Eva Bissonette, right, gets a free lesson from dad Greg on the slopes. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
A skier on the slopes. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Early season skiers crowd the Broadway Express at Mammoth Mountain. Lift tickets can be purchased at discount rates if you go during the off-peak season or on weekdays or buy them online. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Troy Keyes, right, has his new skis adjusted by the Ski Renter owner Rob Davis at his Mammoth Lakes shop. You can use coupons from the welcome center in town to get discounts on rental ski equipment. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Jessica Gilbert gives her son Oden, 3, a push up a slope at Mammoth Mountain ski area while giving him snowboard lessons at the resort. They didn’t buy a lift ticket, instead using a bunny slope to ride on and walking back up the small hill. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Skiers head up the mountain. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
A snowboarder on the slopes. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Snowboarder Tommy Fynn of Brisbane, Australia, rubs mineral-laced mud from the bottom of Wild Willy’s hot spring near Mammoth Mountain on his face while enjoying the hot waters of the spring. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Budget-minded snowboarders Mary Llewellyn, 24, right, and Chad Dupraw, 29, enjoy homemade bologna sandwiches and a bottle of Charles Shaw merlot in Wild Willy’s hot spring. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
A group of snowboarders pose for a photo after a dip in Wild Willy’s hot spring. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
