California's Mammoth Mountain is the third most visited ski resort in the United States.

Horizon Air’s winter service to Mammoth Mountain resumes today, carrying skiers and boarders from Los Angeles, Portland, San Jose, Reno and Seattle to the California ski resort.

Mammoth is already reaping the rewards of an El Niño winter with a base of five to eight feet and more on the way. The flights mark the beginning of regular air service to Mammoth throughout the snow season. According to the airline, travelers can enjoy two daily nonstop flights from Los Angeles as well as daily nonstop service from San Jose and Reno and direct (same-plane, one-stop) service from Seattle and Portland. Flights will continue through April 11, 2010.

Horizon is offering special low fares for flights on select days between Mammoth and each city. Fares start at $49 each way from Reno, $69 from San Jose or Los Angeles, $144 from Portland, and $149 from Seattle.

Mammoth Mountain is just 15 minutes from the Mammoth Lakes Yosemite airport. During last year’s inaugural season of service, thousands of Southern Californians took advantage of Horizon’s 70-minute flight from Los Angeles instead of enduring five hours or more of driving.

Recent storms have dropped more than three feet of snow on the mountain, with more on the way, ensuring some of the best ski and snowboard conditions in the country. The entire resort will be in full operation for the holidays, including the opening of the new Village Ski Back Trail.

Mammoth Mountain Ski Area is the leading four-season mountain resort in California. With 1.2 million annual skier visits, Mammoth Mountain is currently the third most frequented ski resort in the United States.

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