Mammoth Ski Trip
Click for Details

The Big Picture:
Troop 355 is headed to Mammoth on Friday Feb 11 for a weekend of skiing and riding. We will leave town right after school, eat dinner on the way up and meet at the luxurious Snow Creek Condominiums (numbers 453 and 460 in phase 3). We’ll head out for rentals and groceries after that. After a good night sleep we’ll make the 20 minute drive over to Main Lodge and check in with the Mammoth Ski Patrol for a safety lecture. Then it’s off to the slopes! Accomplished skiers and snow boarders will be able to earn the Snow Sports Merit Badge. After a day on the slopes, it’s back to the condo and we’ll cook up some dinner and relax. On Sunday morning we’ll check out of the condo and you can hit the slopes again or head home.

The Cost:
$120 per camper (father or son) will cover the first class condominium accommodations at the fabulous Snow Creek Resort. Because we are making a financial commitment for the condos you must make your non-refundable payment for the trip by Monday January 31st. Please make the checks out to BSA Troop 355. If I do not receive your check by that day, I will assume you have changed you mind, and will give your spot to someone on the wait list. Send you check to:
Brian Snaer,2605 South Oak Knoll Ave San Marino, CA 91108

Don’t forget to budget for other significant expenses including: lift tickets, rental gear, food, and gas.
Lift tickets: $92 (age 19+) per day
$69 (age 13-18)
$46 (age 7-12)

Mammoth only sells ½ day tickets starting at 12:30 pm, i.e., no morning ½ day tickets. If you will be skiing two days you can save 10% on a 2 day lift ticket by purchasing on-line or over the phone at least 14 days in advance. (Here is a helpful site: http://www.mammothmountain.com/MountainActivities/Tickets/.)

Equipment:
If you don’t have your own skis / board, you will need to make arrangements to rent. You can rent locally (i.e., Sports Chalet), rent from a local store in Mammoth when you arrive on Friday, or from Mammoth directly. We will not have time on Saturday morning to rent equipment, so please plan ahead.

Food:
Dinner on your own Friday night. Breakfast on Saturday and Sunday – in the condo. Lunch Saturday on the hill. Saturday dinner – either in the condo or at a restaurant.

What to bring:
Bring warm waterproof skiwear, dress in layers, gloves, hat or helmet, goggles or sunglasses. Plan on 20 degrees, snowy weather and we can adjust from there. Bring a fanny pack or daypack to keep your 10 essentials in when you’re on the slopes. Scouts should also bring a sleeping bag in case you end up sleeping on the floor of the condo with your buddies.

Supervision & Ability groups:
Mammoth has a wide verity of terrain and snow conditions. Just like with the safe swim defense we will need to establish ability groups. Skiers who can manage parallel traverses, wedge turns and hockey stops (i.e., intermediate level or above) will do fine with the group of skiers who will go off to earn the snow sports badge with their merit badge instructor. Skiers hoping to earn the snow sports merit badge will need to demonstrate skiing skill on advanced terrain. Skiers who have not mastered those skills will enjoy some of the less demanding runs toward the bottom of the hill. If your son is not quite ready to earn the merit badge please plan to come on the trip and supervise him on the slopes.

Directions:
Take the I-210 freeway north until you can catch the I-5 freeway north. In 5 miles you will see a sign for Hwy 14 North (Lancaster/Palmdale). You will stay on Hwy 14 for about an hour until you come to Mojave. Drive through Mojave until you come to the end of town and follow the sign that reads Bishop/Reno”. You will follow the curve to the right. Hwy 14 turns into Hwy 395 after about 50 miles on this road. After 2 to 3 hours during which you will pass through a variety of small rural towns, you will come to Bishop. In about 45 minutes you will see a sign that reads “Mammoth Lakes, Highway 203, Devil’s Postpile”, take this exit. At the bottom stop sign take a left and follow Hwy 203 into Mammoth Lakes. At the first stoplight (Old Mammoth Road) take a left. You are now on Old Mammoth Road, which you will follow for 1 mile. Just 100 yards past Minaret look for the “Snowcreek Management & Rentals” sign on the right hand side. Turn right into the parking lot and check in at the corner office.
Contact: