English: The Village at Mammoth in Mammoth Lakes, California, locally known as the Village. The Village is a triangular area surrounded by Minaret Road, Canyon Boulevard and Forest Trail, with lodges/condos, shops, restaurants and an "events plaza" where various bands perform from time to time, and Oktoberfest and Christmas events, etc., are held. The annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, during which Santa Claus "arrives" in town, is held at the end of November. For skiers and snowboarders (and others who simply want to "check out" the ski area), there is a complimentary gondola (the Mammoth Mountain Village Gondola or simply the Village Gondola) directly from the Village to Canyon Lodge[1]. Lift tickets and equipment rentals are also available at the Village, but you don't have to purchase/rent anything here in order to take the gondola. The official "season" starts in early November, but it can snow in early October and skiing is possible until the 4th of July (provided there is sufficient snow), depending on the year. Complimentary shuttles carry skiers and shoppers between the Village, outlet stores, the Visitor Center, etc. and Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge (where the mammoth statue is) during the season. This particular shuttle on this particular day was picking up school children.