The new ownership group for Mount Baldy has appointed Joey O’Brien as Managing Director. Joey will be actively involved in the lodge activities and the ski school, and Mount Baldy residents are relieved and pleased that Matt Koenig is back on the mountain in charge of outside operations.
Preparations are well underway at Baldy for the upcoming ski season. Lift maintenance is going very well in the warm weather. Mount Baldy resident Sandra Smith says that the lift mechanics and testing crew she talked to were all pleased with the condition of the lift components after 3 idle seasons. Joey has brought in a lift maintenance contractor to help with the volume of work, and Tuesday was a good day for all when Inter-Mountain Testing brought in their sophisticated NDT equipment, and the critical components of the chair lifts passed the tests.
There has been a lot accomplished, but lots more work to go as the crew starts to reinstall the tested grips and chairs, complete the line maintenance, and install a new section of communications cable.
Painting is underway on the Day Lodge, and new flooring in the lounge and a few other improvements are on the list for the inside of the lodge.
Scrub alder covers the lower sections of the runs, but looks worse than it is. Some of it was last cut 2 years ago, and the rest 4 years ago. Cutting the alders is a late summer project, after the growth has stopped. Great progress with three brush saws part time this week, and brush cutting will start in earnest next week.
As for the new owner’s plans, Smith says she can only comment on what she sees and knows, having been part of Baldy since 1968, with various roles including 3 seasons as manager, 25 years of teaching skiing, and many volunteer positions from brush saws to community associations and Baldy news column writer. One surprise for Smith was the operator’s decision to open 7 days a week. Skiers are delighted with the low prices for Season Passes. $19.00 plus tax for those over 65!
Sandra Smith writes an independent blog on all things Baldy. Press the live link below