Hi Mammoth :)

[Danielle]

Hello,

I'm Danielle, and new to this forum. Or quite new at snowboarding in general. I went snowboarding 2 years ago for the first time, indoors, and got hooked right away And from that moment on I started going at least twice a week indoors. Since where I live (Netherlands, there are no mountains). So whenever I can, I'm on a holiday on the mountains! Hopefully me and a friend are graduating from university this summer. And we are planning on going to Mammoth for 5 months! Is December till May a good time? And where are the best places to stay? We want to be near the slopes, but also near the parties!

Hope you guys can help me, and hopefully till Decmeber!

PS Mammoth is the best place to be for a first season right? Great parks, slopes, and off pistes?!

[SurfnSnowboard]

Hi Danielle, welcome to the forum.

I think Mammoth would be a great place for you and your friends to spend 5 months. That time period is usually the best time for Mammoth as far as snow goes. Since Mammoth has a lot of younger people working on the mountain there are always plenty of parties. There is no best place to live, the town is relatively small and it can be hard to find ANY place to live so start looking early. If there are enough of you it might be best to rent a house/cabin and split the cost. It's easy to get to the slopes from anywhere in town since the bus system is pretty good and it's free.

You'll easily go from beginner to expert in one season if you ride regularly and especially if you can make friends with people that are good riders that can help you along.

[Danielle]

Thanks for your reply! You've made me even more enthusiastic about the new season!

So my new daily mission will be looking for affordable housing!

[Sierra Lady]

Welcome Danielle & friends!

As time gets closer for your arrival check these sources in the classified ads for rentals. Remember to begin looking for and secure housing at least 2 months before you arrive if possible. It may be a bit difficult to do long-distance, but it has been done.

http://www.mammothtimes.com/content/classified-listings

http://thesheetnews.com/free-online-classifieds

Also, for more information on Mammoth Lakes and a town map (we have a free year-round shuttle system throughout town) see the Mammoth Tourism site link below:

http://www.visitmammoth.com/about-mammoth/

[Danielle]

Thank you Sierra Lady!! Thanks to your links I've been able to send some e-mails to people offering apartments! Let's hope I'll find something! See you next season!

[windyscotty]

"Mammoth is the best place to be for a first season right? Great parks, slopes, and off pistes?!"

What is this, how do you say, "pistes?" In America we say "huh?"

Of course Mammoth is the best! Go no further! The partying never stops. That is why I am slipping away now. So gently slipping away, because I wasted my youth in Mammoth.

You and your friend probably listen to Michael Bolton.

Well, ta, ta and have fun skiing and partying to your hearts content.

I hope your friend is female, because it is always five guys to every girl in Mammoth.

[Danielle]

Haha, no not an Michael Bolton fan. And sorry, my friend is a guy!

Ehm, off pistes is what we say when we go of the slopes and go ride powder

[windyscotty]

Welcome and I am glad you have a sense of humor.

Many of us have been to your country including me in '72. My mother was married to an airlines pilot, and I got a free ticket to London. "Flyin' into London from over the pole..." Arlo

Copenhagen was a little stuffy, but Amsterdam was more to our liking.

It was pretty funny how my German friend got burned trying to buy some hash. He got a piece of tar instead. Ha, ha.

You guys have some of the best seeds, too. This bud is for you! Thanks

[Danielle]

Guess your step dad didn't give you a one-way ticket

Amsterdam is definitely fun! And Copenhagen.. I've never been there, somehow it doesn't attract me very much!
As for the hash, why didn't your friend just buy it in the shop? Coffee shops everywhere!!! With a whole range of hash and weed, and no tar

Oh, and to be honest, I didn't know the song; Coming into Los Angeles... So I had to look it up, and now it's actually in my playlist! Tnx!!

[windyscotty]

You crack me up Danielle. Follow all the threads on the forum about all the stuff to do in the Eastern Sierra besides skiing. Be sure and go to Old Benton Hot Springs and get a campsite during your stay. Tell them Windy sent you!

Later skaters!

[SurfnSnowboard]

Another to consider is buying a season pass in April when they go on sale. It's much cheaper to buy a pass then instead of waiting if you're sure you will be coming for a few months. Last year the cost was $649. They usually announce the price in mid March.

If you're not sure you will definitely be coming you can wait and buy the pass in October but it will be a little more expensive. You might also be able to buy a college (university) pass, not sure if there are restrictions for foreign students or not. If you are allowed to buy the college pass it would be the cheapest option.

[Danielle]

@Windy; Sure, will do! I'm guessing it will be my best winter/spring ever!

@SurfnSnowboard; That is a great suggestion! I looked at the college-pass, but you actually have to go to school during the season.. But I'll try to e-mail them and ask if it is also possible for foreign students.. Can always try it And otherwise buying the pass in april is the best option! Thanks for the suggestion, because it really is a big difference!! It will save me 350,- dollars!!!

[sdp]

I don't believe you can buy the College pass in April for the following season.

[Danielle]

Oh, ok. Too bad. But I don't think it would have been a possibility for me. So I guess it's safer to just buy the regular discount pass in April..