Mammoth to June Traverse Backcountry Skiing

Things to know

• Covid measures in Mammoth Lakes/June Mountain

  57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

  We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Mammoth Lakes and June Mountain, please refer to Visit Mammoth, June Mountain or the Official California State Government websites.

  Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

• Why should I book with 57hours?

  With us, it’s all play and no work for you! 57hours is an open platform that connects you with trained and certified outdoor adventure professionals all over the world. Using our tech-savvy, we make it super easy to find and book adventures worth tackling, with guides worth booking, all gathered from the first-hand experiences of the locals who adventure in these amazing locations.

• Why should I go backcountry skiing?

  Nothing beats the rush you’ll get from laying down first tracks on an incredible route with nothing but endless terrain laying before you. Alpine peaks, open bowls, steep and secluded tree shots, cruisy, mellow runs — it’s all out there waiting to be explored in the backcountry. You’ll spend less time waiting in chairlift lines and more time skiing, so leave the crowded resort behind and head off-piste for some of the best powder you’ll ever experience!

• What can I expect from skiing with a guide?

  A certified ski guide will take all of the guesswork out of your time in the backcountry. From tour planning to route selection, terrain management, avalanche safety, and gear knowledge, your guide’s expertise and backcountry experience will ensure you have an unforgettable ski touring adventure. It doesn’t matter your skill level, whether you’ve never backcountry skied or you’re seasoned on the slopes, skiing with a guide has its advantages. Your techniques will sharpen, you’ll learn how to navigate terrain safely, make smart decisions, and most of all, you’ll remain safe in unfamiliar terrain.

• What if I’ve never backcountry skied before?

  The overnight Mammoth to June Traverse is best suited for intermediate to advanced skiers with experience in the backcountry. These are long ski touring days and the terrain can be challenging and technical, requiring controlled descents in sometimes tricky environments.

  Beginners in the backcountry or those with blue level resort experience should consider an introduction to backcountry skiing with a guide at Mammoth Lakes or June Mountain.

• What’s included?

  What you get in this adventure:

  • • An certified AMGA Ski Guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • Two full days of backcountry ski touring
    • Avalanche rescue gear (beacon, shovel and probe)
    • Group camping equipment
    • Shuttle service back to Mammoth at the end of the the trip

  What’s not included:

  • • Technical backcountry ski touring equipment
    • Personal overnight gear
    • Lodging and transportation to and from the Eastern Sierra
    • Trip insurance
    • USFD required backcountry permits ($10.00 per person)
• How fit do I need to be?

  In order to enjoy this backcountry adventure, you need to have an excellent level of fitness. You will be on your feet for two full days. All participants should be able to carry a loaded daypack while skinning up variable degrees of terrain and have advanced to expert level downhill skiing skills, as well as the ability to control speed and execute fall-line turns in a variety of snow conditions. All participants must be able to sideslip forwards and and backwards and have a high level of control on 40 degree slopes.

• What equipment do I need to bring?

  For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring:

  • • Alpine touring skis, telemark skis or splitboard with skins (can be rented)
    • Touring boots and poles (can be rented)
    • Avalanche gear: beacon, shovel, probe (included in price if you don’t have your own)

  For personal items, we recommend bringing:

  • • Helmet
    • Sunglasses or ski goggles
    • Gloves and hat
    • Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-tex recommended)
    • Down jacket or vest
    • Ski pants (Gore-tex recommended)
    • Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear and socks
    • One triple-action locking carabiner or two conventional locking carabiners
    • Repair kit and Leatherman for your equipment (can be shared between several people)
    • Water bottle and 1L of water
    • Thermos with a warm beverage — optional
    • Food you can eat on-the-go
    • First-aid kit
    • Sunscreen
    • Daypack large enough to carry all items listed (around a 30-40L backpack)
    • Camera — optional
• Can I rent equipment?

  All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. You can rent:

  • • Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots and poles can be rented from ASO Mammoth or Mammoth Mountaineering Supply
    • Splitboards can be rented from Mammoth Mountaineering Supply

  Ski rental locations are in Mammoth Lakes and should be picked up the night prior to your outing. If you need to rent gear, let us know and we can help make arrangements.

• What is the minimum age requirement?
  • Everybody over the age of 18 is welcome to book this backcountry skiing adventure.
  • Minors may be permitted to join private tours on a case-by-case basis. If you plan to ski with anyone under the age of 18, please contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
• What about group sizes and pricing?

  For this adventure, the minimum client to guide ratio is 2:1 and max client to guide ratio is 4:1. All pricing is per person.

  Ski touring from Mammoth Mountain to June Mountain can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

• What about bad weather?

  Mitigating avalanche risk is paramount for any excursion in the backcountry — that’s why it’s best to tour with a guide! Rest assured, your guide will set objectives that are attainable for the weather conditions on that particular day. Of course, inclement weather can always get in the way of backcountry skiing, but your guide will know the best course of action to take if the weather takes a turn.

  On the rare occasion of truly bad weather, your guide will present you with suitable, safe alternatives. The most common practice is to move to a nearby location if it exists, or to reschedule your backcountry ski tour to a more favorable day.

  If backcountry skiing is not possible on your scheduled day and no options presented are viable, you will be issued a full refund.

• Do I need an insurance policy?

  We highly recommended that you cover all your bases with emergency medical insurance. With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more.

  If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!

• Cancellation policy

  With 57hours, you benefit from both our own cancellation policy as well as that of the individual guiding service that delivers your adventure. All policies regarding cancellation will be clearly laid out by your guide after booking your adventure, but rest assured that our own cancellation policy will work on top of what is provided by your guide.

  For this adventure, 57hours offers a Strict Cancellation Policy, which states:
  If Client cancels the Booking anytime prior to thirty (30) calendar days in advance of the trip contemplated by the booking, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of fifty percent (50%) of the total amount paid when Booking. After that deadline, Client is not entitled to any refund.

  For more information on terms and conditions, please visit our Terms of Service page.

• Getting there and meeting location

  The most convenient way to get to Mammoth Lakes is to fly into Mammoth Yosemite Airport (MMH). Los Angeles, Burbank, Denver and San Francisco offer direct flights. Another option is to fly into Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) which is only 2.5 hours away from Mammoth Lakes. From there you can rent a car or take a shuttle.

  Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the guide shop or a predetermined location and from there you will go through a quick gear check as well as a quick avalanche beacon refresher. From there, the group will head out to the tour, where we will quickly get into touring mode and start stretching the legs for the uphill ascent.