Mt. Baldy, CA 03262012

[baldyskier]

Mt. Baldy got a decent dump of snow a week ago, but it was atop almost no base, so I didn't go up. I decided to go today after another storm on Sunday dropped about a foot more on top of last week's snow. Since there still wasn't enough to give decent coverage, I brought my older "rock skis". That was a good thing, because I ended up taking 3 core shots on one of them. I still had an enjoyable day. I found powder in the Gold Ridge trees and in the South Bowl Chutes. The entrance to the South Bowl was sketchy, and I hit a couple of rocks in the chutes, but the powder held up until about 1:00 or so, when it began to get wet and heavy. Some of the groomed slopes were decent, others had more rocks/stones showing up.

Liftlines weren't bad, especially after about 11:30 AM. Chair 4 never opened. Probably not worth it with the sun exposure it gets.

I talked to a lady on the lift who told me that she was there last Monday and that it was the best day she had had at Baldy in 3 years (better coverage than today, blue skies all day, and it was cold enough to preserve the snow).

All the snow got warm today. There will be some spring conditions available for a few days, if you're selective, but it's not deep enough to last long, and rock skis/boards are a must.

 

[SoCal Rider]

Mt. Baldy got a decent dump of snow a week ago, but it was atop almost no base, so I didn't go up. I decided to go today after another storm on Sunday dropped about a foot more on top of last week's snow. Since there still wasn't enough to give decent coverage, I brought my older "rock skis". That was a good thing, because I ended up taking 3 core shots on one of them. I still had an enjoyable day. I found powder in the Gold Ridge trees and in the South Bowl Chutes. The entrance to the South Bowl was sketchy, and I hit a couple of rocks in the chutes, but the powder held up until about 1:00 or so, when it began to get wet and heavy. Some of the groomed slopes were decent, others had more rocks/stones showing up.

Liftlines weren't bad, especially after about 11:30 AM. Chair 4 never opened. Probably not worth it with the sun exposure it gets.

I talked to a lady on the lift who told me that she was there last Monday and that it was the best day she had had at Baldy in 3 years (better coverage than today, blue skies all day, and it was cold enough to preserve the snow).

All the snow got warm today. There will be some spring conditions available for a few days, if you're selective, but it's not deep enough to last long, and rock skis/boards are a must.

I figured coverage would be at best no better than last Monday, so I went somewhere else. She needs to get to Baldy more often. I mean, it was enjoyable, but - um - imperfect. I recall the snow on Thunder holding up well when I was there (until 11), but it was not cold on 4, of course, which didn't open until noontime. And it was thin, especially Spring Ridge.

When did 3 open? The website projected a 10:45 opening.

 

[baldyskier]

Mt. Baldy got a decent dump of snow a week ago, but it was atop almost no base, so I didn't go up. I decided to go today after another storm on Sunday dropped about a foot more on top of last week's snow. Since there still wasn't enough to give decent coverage, I brought my older "rock skis". That was a good thing, because I ended up taking 3 core shots on one of them. I still had an enjoyable day. I found powder in the Gold Ridge trees and in the South Bowl Chutes. The entrance to the South Bowl was sketchy, and I hit a couple of rocks in the chutes, but the powder held up until about 1:00 or so, when it began to get wet and heavy. Some of the groomed slopes were decent, others had more rocks/stones showing up.

Liftlines weren't bad, especially after about 11:30 AM. Chair 4 never opened. Probably not worth it with the sun exposure it gets.

I talked to a lady on the lift who told me that she was there last Monday and that it was the best day she had had at Baldy in 3 years (better coverage than today, blue skies all day, and it was cold enough to preserve the snow).

All the snow got warm today. There will be some spring conditions available for a few days, if you're selective, but it's not deep enough to last long, and rock skis/boards are a must.

I figured coverage would be at best no better than last Monday, so I went somewhere else. She needs to get to Baldy more often. I mean, it was enjoyable, but - um - imperfect. I recall the snow on Thunder holding up well when I was there (until 11), but it was not cold on 4, of course, which didn't open until noontime. And it was thin, especially Spring Ridge.

When did 3 open? The website projected a 10:45 opening.

I got to the ticket line (long and slow) around 9:00, got to Thunder around 10:00. It appeared to have been open awhile, based on the tracks. The lady I talked to about Monday said she had a season pass last season and came out a lot, including some powder days. I think she was looking at the whole picture (good snow, short lines, beautiful day, etc.). Still sounds like her perception may have been biased by how poor it has been so far this season.

 

[Tony Crocker]

Garry Klassen went up there Saturday before the storm to check the coverage and found it inadequate. Thus I was not tempted with only 1 foot new over that.