Skiing, backcountry and ice
Skiing June Mountain and Winter at June Lake
June Mountain is a mile from the door, Mammoth is thirty minutes away, and some of the best backcountry descents in North America end at the chalet's back fence.
June Mountain
Less than a mile away, June Mountain offers 2,580 vertical feet of terrain for every level, with fewer people than its big neighbor. It is becoming known for some of the best lift-assisted backcountry skiing on the continent. Experienced skiers who hire a guide can ski from the top of June Mountain all the way to the chalet’s hydrotherapy tub.
Kids 12 and under ski free
For parents, this is the deciding number. A family of four can spend more on kids’ lift tickets in a weekend than on the house. At June Mountain kids 12 and under ski free all season with a no-cost child season pass, which you can reserve ahead on IkonPass.com or pick up at the ticket office. With the mountain a mile from the chalet, little legs can call it a day whenever they like and be back by the fire in ten minutes. Check June Mountain for current terms.
No lift lines on weekdays
June Mountain is the quiet one. On a weekday you will often ski straight onto the chair, and the groomers off Chair 7 stay empty long after first tracks. Come Monday to Thursday and you get the mountain nearly to yourselves, and the chalet costs less too.
Mammoth Mountain
World-famous Mammoth Mountain, home to many Olympians, is about thirty minutes south. In big snow years it has stayed open as late as the Fourth of July, and it often has the best snow in California.
Backcountry and spring skiing
The Eastern Sierra holds some of the best spring backcountry skiing in North America, with options within three miles of the chalet. When Tioga Road opens in late spring, Tioga Pass draws backcountry skiers from across the country. We recommend going with a local guide service such as Sierra Mountain Guides.
Snowshoeing from the chalet
Skip the car. Rent snowshoes at Ernie’s in June Lake village and walk from the house to the Fern and Yost Lakes trail, about a mile down-canyon. Snowmobiling, dog sledding and miles of groomed cross-country trails are all nearby.
Ice climbing
June Lake is an ideal place to learn. Beginners and experienced climbers find excellent ice above Silver Lake, and some of the best ice in the West is half an hour away in Lee Vining Canyon. Sierra Mountain Guides runs courses for beginner and intermediate climbers.
