So/Cal Mt Waterman 3-05-2011 Hot Tub Time Machine

T

Twins

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Mount Waterman claims to have had the first chairlift in California, opened by the Newcombs on January 1, 1941. The chairlift broke down during the opening day and riders had to jump off, but the resort continued operations.
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Usually this hill is not open more than 3 months out of the year if even that.They rely on natural snow and maintained roads to get there.It was open Saturday so Big Tim and I made the drive up to enjoy some old school skiing.

Driving around the last corner brings you to what is so great here.BBQ parties going off at 10 am waiting for the snow to soften.
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Some of the local kids showing love towards this hill.The owner of Mt Waterman was also tailgaiting it with his family today.
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One of the last self contained deisel fired lifts in North America.The engine is located on top of the bullwheel and purrs all day long.
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This hill has open boundrys which is awesome.You can ski off the top and end up 4 miles down the road,hitch hiking or car dropping back up.
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Big Tim..
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When you get old you need to rest,heh...
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Met the next world cup champion today.They called her Rose.
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The drive back down the hill shows all the secret stashes.That hillside is Mt Waterman sidecountry.
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Now is a good time to get up there.Only open on weekends through April 15th so says the owner.
 
Looks like it's in full-on spring mode. Not that it's a bad thing. I had 5 of the finest corn runs of my life in that backcountry down to the road on April 23, 1983.

Nice to see attendance picking up this year. We would all like Mt. Waterman to remain viable.
 
Tony Crocker":jy1ukl0z said:
Looks like it's in full-on spring mode. Not that it's a bad thing. I had 5 of the finest corn runs of my life in that backcountry down to the road on April 23, 1983.
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I was surprised how good it was:) Full on spring skiing right now with great offpiste access.
Visually there seems to be more snow here than at Mt Baldy and skiing to the car lot is a plus right now.
 
great pics =D> -- what kind of camera do you use?

like the pic of big tim skiing and the cute kid. nothing like seeing a little kid stoked.....but isn't that what skiing does for all of us big folks????

never been to waterman (28 yrs of skiing in socal.....) -- too loyal to baldy :-D
 
Jojo,using a older Cannon IS3S which keeps on shooting.Every season I want to upgrade but cannot find a good reason yet.
My home hill is also Baldy but the vibe at Waterman makes Baldy feel like Mt High.It is that much more laid back.You should try to get up there and experience it.
Everyone sits in the main parking lot and cheer on their friends coming down the hill.Pretty special .
 
jojo_obrien":sahlfvo7 said:
never been to waterman (28 yrs of skiing in socal.....) -- too loyal to baldy :-D
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That is generally my view. I have almost 1.3 million vert lifetime at Baldy vs. 200K at Waterman. But there are situations when Waterman will deliver a better ski experience, like that April day in 1983. And with the 3-day-a-week operation there will be some powder days at Waterman when Baldy is completely hammered. Several of us here on FTO got one of those 2 years ago on President's weekend. viewtopic.php?t=7689

For those of us around Pasadena or the San Fernando Valley drive times are similar. For many others in SoCal Mt. Waterman is a far longer drive than Baldy, particularly in the current situation where you have to go via Big Tujunga.
 
Good stuff, Chris... thanks for sharing!

I think I smell some burgers grilling there today... lofting some appetizing aromas 20 miles to my west. 8-[
 
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