Adventure on a Mammoth Scale

For many travellers cloistered away in this quarantine, the only thing keeping them sane is the vicarious thrill of virtual tours. Digital tourism has stepped up to give them their fix of adventure, and this tour of California&rsquos Mammoth Lakes is one that&rsquos sure to get the adrenaline pumping. This year-round wonderland of adventure sports and activities is bursting with jaw-dropping vistas, lofty peaks, and deep valleys, all on a truly mammoth scale.

The virtual tour starts off in the winter with a skier and a snowboarder speeding down the velvet-white slopes of Mammoth Mountain, throwing up the snow behind them as they blaze down the trail, and even nailing a sweet jump off a ramp. Aerial shots allow the viewer to appreciate the vast scale of the surroundings and the breathtaking beauty of the snow-covered paradise as they follow people on skis, boards, and tubes hurtling at high-speeds down the hill. Pristine blue skies dotted with icy peaks paint a picture that can transport a viewer to a different world entirely.

But, as mentioned, the Mammoth Lakes are for all seasons, and the virtual tour shows you just that. Jumping to summer, you follow two bikers as they make their way through a trail to a viewpoint that overlooks the whole scene. Up above the trees, looking down at the lake showcases the natural grandeur of the area. Viewers are even taken up to enjoy the view from the perspective of a paraglider swooping over a ridge and around the still water of the large lake where one can enjoy the calm and serenity as they cast their fishing rods in the water and wait. Taking things back to the ground, viewers get a glimpse of what it would be like to explore the wilderness on horseback as they canter their way to the vast blue lake.

The peaceful ebb of the lake is then seen through travellers on paddle boards and kayaks, gently drifting around on vast Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve. Follow the kayaks and see a surreal sunset in the distance, shining a beautiful orange tinge around the majestic landscape. A perfect scene to round out an action-packed day.

The tour is closed out with the orange glow of a bonfire while the campers roast marshmallows and gaze at the vibrant night sky, every corner of which is dotted with hypnotic stars that add to the enchanted aura of the Mammoth Lakes. 

This is one exhilarating tour from start to finish.