When young Dave McCoy was working as a hydrographer for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power in the 1930s and '40s, this is where he consistently found the most snow. He built a rope tow and a small warming hut. The Forest Service paved the road in 1952, and on Thanksgiving morning of 1955, 250 skiers lined up for the inaugural ride up Chair 1. Now the largest of four main portals to Mammoth Mountain Ski Area and a jumping-off point for the Reds Meadow shuttle, Main Lodge is a sprawling collection of buildings offering ski and snowboard services, parking, lodging, dining, corporate offices and a summer recreation center.