Evolving Main Frequently Asked Questions

We have been working on our plans to reinvest in the Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge, to elevate our reputation as a year-round destination while preserving the cultural legacy of one of the country’s most visited ski resorts. The proposed plan for Main will modernize the facilities and integrate existing uses with new facilities. It will improve skier service operations, create a world-class ski beach at the base of the mountain, expand year-round mountain activities, and offer new amenities and lodging with a collection of new shops and restaurants. All of this will enhance our operations and the guest experience.

The Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge project is located in the Town of Mammoth Lakes (10001 Minaret Road) and will include approximately 20 acres. This is the area that currently includes the existing Main Lodge, the Mammoth Mountain Inn, the Yodler restaurant, the Panorama Gondola, the bottom terminals of Broadway Express, Unbound Express, Discovery Chair, the Snowmobile Adventures facility, and adjacent parking areas. The site also includes approximately 15 acres currently used as wastewater treatment ponds, for an overall project property of 35 acres.

Alterra Mountain Company, headquartered in Denver, Colorado, owns and operates Mammoth Main Lodge. Locally, Mammoth’s team includes area residents who serve on community boards and committees and want to protect the environment and future of the community they love. The team is committed to working closely with area stakeholders as we plan the transformation and renewal of the Main Lodge, ensuring the project benefits the property and the larger community and delivers a first-class experience for guests and locals alike.

The Alterra company is a community of iconic year-round destinations including the world’s largest heli-skiing operation. It owns and operates a range of recreation, hospitality, real-estate development, food and beverage and retail businesses. Alterra’s 15 destinations are spread throughout six states and three Canadian provinces. In addition to Mammoth Mountain, it owns Steamboat and Winter Park Ski Resorts in Colorado; Palisades Tahoe, June Mountain and Big Bear Mountain Resort in California; Stratton Mountain Resort and Sugarbush Resort in Vermont; Snowshoe Mountain Resort in West Virginia; Deer Valley and Solitude Mountain Resorts in Utah; Crystal Mountain in Washington; Mont-Tremblant Resort in Quebec; Blue Mountain Resort in Ontario, and CMH Heli-Skiing & Summer Adventures in British Columbia.

Yes. The resort ski services will remain operational, though it is likely that there will be some temporary disruptions. Construction will include well-planned measures to maintain our ongoing operations and protect our employees, guests and surrounding neighbors.

The plan provides a unique opportunity to replace dated and inefficient facilities and infrastructure, improving the resort’s overall green building practices to reduce energy and water use. The design will employ the latest building system controls and environmentally sustainable building practices. It will include a new transit hub to encourage public transportation use, improve walkability throughout the property, and provide energy efficient operations. In addition, the plan will include replacement of the aging open raw sewage ponds and replace them with a state-of-the-art water treatment and reclamation facility. Two 5-million-gallon reclaimed water reservoirs will increase water use efficiency, provide water for snowmaking use during the winter, irrigate the slopes in summer, and (if ever needed) supplement firefighting resources during the summer.

Currently, we provide parking for our employees and visitors within our existing parking areas and structures, and we will continue to do so. The new plan will provide 100% understructure parking for lodging and residential guests and as currently proposed, a new surface parking lot mid-way between Main Lodge and Stump Alley Express, referred to as “Big Bend” resulting in no net loss to current employee and Day-Skier parking at Main Lodge.

No. The first step of the project was to complete the Mammoth Base Land Exchange. After many years of work, this was completed in March 2020. Now the rebuilding of Main Lodge and associated facilities must go through an extensive environmental review process, including multiple opportunities for public participation throughout the process. The Town of Mammoth Lakes will prepare a draft environmental impact report (DEIR) for the plan in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The report will be circulated for public comment for 45 days and then the Town will prepare responses to all comments received for inclusion in the final EIR. The release of the final EIR will be followed by a series of public hearings before Town planners and elected officials.

Additionally, the United States Forest Service Department will create a detailed document analyzing the environmental impacts of the plan on National Forest. This draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) will also be circulated for public review and comment, and then a final EIS will be issued. The Forest Service’s review will be in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Both the CEQA and NEPA processes will be performed concurrently, such that key noticing, public commenting, and public meetings will all be conducted jointly throughout.

Also concurrent with the joint CEQA and NEPA review, we will process a General Plan Amendment and Specific Plan approval with the Town to establish the zoning entitlements for the property which will allow for the eventual redevelopment.

The plan will invest hundreds of millions of dollars in Mammoth Mountain to modernize the resort. It will enhance mountain facilities and boost summertime activities, offer new retail services, restaurants and lodging to attract and meet the needs of a broad group of visitors. It will create a new purpose-built transit hub at the base of the Main Lodge making public transportation more accessible and providing increased efficiency in traffic and circulation for the community; provide publicly accessible pathways and inviting green space for locals and visitors; improve public safety with the realignment of Minaret Road (State Route 203), and generate millions annually in tax revenue to the Town and additional annual spending in the local community and greater Mono County region.

It is estimated that the planning and review process for the project will take approximately 2 years. Construction will begin after receiving the necessary entitlements and approvals from the Town of Mammoth Lakes and the United States Forest Service.