Easy Mammoth Back Country Skiing for Pregnant Ladies

My dear friend Heather visited us the weekend we were staying in Mammoth Lakes over Presidents day weekend for my husbands birthday. She was interested in trying back country skiing for the first time and even had a kit. I was 6 months pregnant and wanted to avoid the resort anyway, so we agreed to do some easy mostly cross-country tours around town. My plan was to just slow down and turn back whenever I got tired and needed my customary weekend mid day nap.

The ski trips we chose that weekend were: the Sherwin access area from old mammoth road, Sherwin Creek to the tele bowls, Minaret Vista, and an easy tour around Lake Mary.

Husband and Heather on the Sherwin Access trail at the end of Old Mammoth Road

An easy hike along the trail from Old Mammoth road (Sherwin access).

My husband and Heather went up Panorama dome while I connected the end of Old Mammoth to the Lake Mary/Lakes basin then met up with them at the base later. The timing turned out to be perfect because I made it all the way to the horse stables before I realized that I didn’t want to transition twice and turned back. They were at the base and transitioning themselves by the time I made it back to the base of Panorama dome.

One of me (6 months pregnant) texting while skiing

That afternoon, Heather and Robin went up the valley below Mammoth rock and skied down one of the Avy paths. I elected to stay back with the dog so we could nap that afternoon.

look how strange my balance is when this pregnant

Sherwin Creek Road to the Telemark Bowls

The next day, we headed over to ski from Sherwin Creek Road to the telemark bowls. We started at the unofficial dog park and headed over the easy bunny slope, through a small valley, and up a semi steep hill on route to the Telemark Bowls. I didn’t feel as committed to getting to the base of the telemark bowls because I was having a hard time transitioning my kit being so pregnant. I am having trouble buckling my own boots, let alone having to do so much work on the ground. I turned around about 2/3rds of the way up. At this point, my sweet dog knew to stick with me. I transitioned my gear, and Gigi stuck as close as she could without letting herself get sliced by the skis. She is really starting to become a good ski dog. She stuck mostly on the packed ski track in order to get enough purchase to run fast through the snow, and I weaved in and out behind her, doing my best to not really pick up speed in my heavily pregnant state. Heather and Husband where only a half hour behind me, and skied the first bowl before joining me at the Stove for lunch. I had just enough time to drop the dog at home and get us a table. They didn’t make it to the top themselves, and were starting to feel Lunch call out to them too.

Back Country Skiing to Mineret Vista (on the cross country trail)

That evening we went out to Mineret vista. Mineret vista is a traditionally cross country ski from the Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge to the minerat vista lookout point. This excursion turned out to be so worth it. This view was so beautiful. I felt that this quest was both the easiest and most scenic tours of the weekend. Gigi was so cute and sweet on this hike. The only difficulty was heading back. We did our best not to transition constantly on the rolling hills on the way back. We had to awkwardly ski skate up minor hills, exerting tons of effort along the way.

Lake Mary Basin

The last thing we did was visit Lake Mary Lakes Basin. My husband didn’t actually have Monday, the presidents day off. So Heather and I took an easy 2 hour tour to Lake Mary, around 1/3rd around the lake and back. I had plans to drive the 7 hours back to San Diego that day so I didn’t want to stay long.

The dog and I were so tired after Heather’s visit. I haven’t had a completely wipe out weekend like that in a long time. I slept so well. I remember the days where I took so much pleasure in being just so exhausted due to physical activity.