Old schoolers and newbies unite at Mammoth Mountain Bike Park. Trails are rated just like ski runs (green circle to black diamond), and some are reached just like a ski run, too: A gondola will whisk you and your bike to 11,053 feet, where you'll find awesome scenery and the beginning of a grin-inducing descent. A favorite for first-timers, families, and even experts is the Uptown/Downtown Trail. This singletrack endeavor starts at the new Mammoth Village and weaves gently up through piney woods for 4 miles, all the way to the rustic Main Lodge. Take a break and fuel up on ski-cafeteria grub. Then it's time to switch gears, fasten your helmet, and push off. The ride down is rollicking, semi-speedy fun on a dirt trail filled with twists and turns. It's challenging but not treacherous—just don't try the "Look, Ma! No hands!" approach.

If you need some wheels, the Adventure Center at Mammoth Mountain's main lodge has bikes to fit every rider (and every rider's style). To access the trails in the Mammoth Mountain Bike Park, pick up a Pedal Pass ($10, no chairlift or gondola access) or Park Pass ($42, chairlift and gondola included) at the Adventure Center at the Main Lodge. Look for the Uptown trailhead at the northwest corner of Minaret Rd. and Forest Trail.

TIP: Mammoth is on the rise. Positioning itself to be the destination ski resort in North America—something akin to Aspen or Whistler—Mammoth has condos popping up like rental prices in San Francisco. To be in the middle of the action, stay in the recently built Village at Mammoth (800-MAMMOTH), a hot-spot inspired by Swiss ski-resort architecture. The Village is bustling with restaurants, bars, a coffee shop, and a market. Or for a big selection of condos and cabins, contact the Mammoth Reservation Bureau (760-934-2528); they represent over 40 properties. In the summer months, the most direct (and prettiest) route to Mammoth from San Francisco is through Yosemite and over Tioga Pass.