Mount Baldy Ski Lifts

Mount Baldy Ski Lifts
Mt Baldy Ski Lifts

Ski lift from parking area on a snowy day
Location Mount San Antonio and Telegraph Peak
Nearest city San Antonio Heights, California
Coordinates 34°16′12″N 117°37′18″W / 34.27°N 117.6216°W / 34.27; -117.6216Coordinates: 34°16′12″N 117°37′18″W / 34.27°N 117.6216°W / 34.27; -117.6216
Vertical 2,100 ft (640 m)
Top elevation 8,600 ft (2,600 m)
Base elevation 6,500 ft (2,000 m)
Skiable area 800 acres (320 ha)
Runs 26 total
Ski trail rating symbol-green circle.svg 15% beginner
Ski trail rating symbol-blue square.svg 31% intermediate
Ski trail rating symbol-black diamond.svg 54% advanced
Longest run 2.5 mi (4.0 km)
Lift system 4
Snowfall 170 in (430 cm)
Night skiing None
Web site www.mtbaldy.com

Mt Baldy Ski Lifts, or "Baldy" for short, is a family owned and operated ski resort located in San Bernardino County, California, on Mount San Antonio (AKA Mt Baldy). The resort is run by the Ellingson family. The ski resort features traditional runs, open bowls, chutes, and tree runs; and claims to be "The largest and steepest resort in Southern California," with 26 runs spanning 3 mountains featuring a peak elevation of 8,600 ft (2,600 m). Baldy spans 800 acres (320 ha) with a 2,100 ft (640 m) vertical drop, and is located just 45 mi (72 km) from Los Angeles, making it the closest resort to the city.

Contents

Background

The moguls on Emile's run on Thunder Mountain (Chair 3)

The vintage ski lifts were installed half a century ago by Harwood Developments. They were operated as Mt Baldy Ski Lifts Inc, and managed by Herbert Leffler from 1953 until his retirement in 1969. An investment group under the leadership of Charles Lewsader purchased the resort in 1969.

The ski area is multi-directional, with portions of the main ski area facing south or southwest and other portions north-facing. Thunder Mountain areas serviced by Chair 3 are north-facing, resulting in longer-lasting snow conditions. The majority of the steep Chair 1 terrain down to the base area and parking lot along with the Chair 4 portion of the resort faces west and south, resulting in frequent spring conditions and corn snow. Snow on the lower portion of the mountain is typically hard with afternoon softening on north-facing slopes due to brief thaw/shade conditions. In times of abundant snowfall, prior to complete solar melting of the snowpack on south-facing slopes, there is sun-drenched skiing on the slopes from Chair 4 down to the base area. The annual snowfall of Mt Baldy is highly variable, as is the case across the southern California mountains. In some seasons there is insufficient natural snow to operate the ski area for more than a few days (if at all). In other seasons, (particularly certain El Niño years), several feet of snow can accumulate and provide for good daily operation of the ski area and widespread off-piste skiing.[1]

Extreme avalanche danger, though otherwise rare in Southern California's benign climate, can exist on the steep slopes near the lower chairlift for brief periods during and just after heavy storms. These factors, combined with inadequate snowmaking resources, often make it difficult for the resort to develop a good base on which to build up enough snow for normal operation. As a consequence the resort operates sporadically in the beginning of the season, sometimes having only one run open.

After Christmas, Baldy tends to get hit with enough snow to provide full coverage of the mountain, and base depths can approach 5 to 9 ft (1.5 to 2.7 m) on big snowfall years. When Baldy has good coverage it often compares well with better known ski resorts in the Sierra Nevada, and the steep Alpine terrain provides a locally unique, "big mountain" experience. Because so many people divert to other mountains with faster lifts and more groomed runs, Mount Baldy is typically dominated by experienced snowriders who enjoy the steep and technical challenges available there.

The Baldy Volunteer Ski Patrol (National Ski Patrol member) has received awards from the national and Far West Region as the "Outstanding Small Patrol" making them the 'best in the west'.

Lifts

Mt Baldy Ski Lifts in the summer.

Chairs #1 and #3 were built in 1952 by Ringer Chairlifts and featured double swiveling chairs which allowed riders just to stand up when unloading.[2] The chairs would automatically move out of the way. The design was not without its flaws and did not take in account people's instincts to move away from the unloading area as soon as possible. Ringer Chairlifts went out of business just two years later.

In 1975 Swiss company GMD Mueller was contracted to upgrade the existing lifts reusing the old towers and to build chairs #2 and #4.

References

External links


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