New Year

Well, so much for the New Year's photos - the memory card was still plugged in to my laptop from this afternoon. A little chilly for the outdoor stuff - sledding, bonfire, torch light parade and fireworks.
I've been here a long time, and this was the best torch light parade and fireworks that I can recall.

Great kids party and activities, and a good crowd dancing to Long John Baldy.

Happy Birthday and Happy New Year

Happy Birthday to the brother who is Baldy's real New Year's baby, Ken H. Happy New Year to Everyone.

Great Day

Today was what Baldy is all about - families. Kids everywhere. I lost count of the young ones on the magic carpet - the conveyor was almost full, and there was a steady stream of little pizza turns coming down the hill. And of course the cheering section of Moms, Dads, and grandparents by the bench at the bottom.

The snow we got almost 48 hours ago has helped tremdously - Sugarlump is great, and some good skiing off the Eagle. The Eagle is a bit of a challenge yet for the groomers - the early snow we had this year fell when it was very cold, and the consistency was like sugar. As the operators attempt to increase the groomed areas, there are still soft spots that don't support the weight of the cat.

Lots of excitement for the Kids New Year's party starting at 5:30 tonight, and the Adult party and dancing to Long John Baldy at 9:00pm.

Afternoon Ski Class at top of Magic Carpet - including my cousin's grandson Ben, and my friend Sam

Beautiful Day Out There for New Year's Eve

A little cooler at minus8C, sun, blue sky, some clouds. My current favourite weather site suggests that there should be a few flakes falling as we ring in the New Year.

I'm still having some issues with the data entry on the ski corp's site - the 23cms we both reported on Friday has mysteriously changed.

New Year's Eve

It all happens tomorrow. Kids New Years, Torchlight Parade, Dancing to the one and only "Long John Baldy" at 9:00. Info on all the activities on the Ski Corp website  www.skibaldy.com .
Get your tickets at the lodge office, and make sure you have a place to stay on the mountain.

Powder in the forecast for New Years Day.

Some Friday Shots

Only one member of this family group lives in Canada. The others visiting from Australia.

This afternoon on South Ridge Trail.

With Maya, Caragh and Jessica tracking  up Burn Baby Burn

Observations

This week's spam attempts on the blog are from Bolivia and Turkey.

The photo at the top of the blog was taken Dec,28th  a year ago. Need a little more snow to catch up to last year.

Pow Friday

At last a decent overnight snowfall. The Ski Corp has posted 23cms - pretty close to the measurement on my deck. The sun is shining, the photo ops are plentiful, and of course I picked the wrong day to sleep in.

There is lots of good skiing out there. Sugarlump is great. I will continue to be cautious on the Eaglechair. It looks great, but there are still some hidden hazards under the fluffy stuff.

I wear a helmet, or "Brain Bucket". I wish more people used helmets.There is affordable protection available. I grew up in the hand knit toque era, and the cars didn't have seat belts when I was little either. That doesn't stop me from using a helmet.

OMW's Knee

OMW did a number on her knee today - not the one with the brace, the other one. If you are out for a walk, stop by the cabin and say hi.

Skiing the Eagle

Nice to have the Eaglechair turning today. Limited grooming, and caution is advised. Clouded over now at 3:00pm, and snow in the forecast for tonight.

Snowing

Eaglechair opens tomorrow, and it is snowing again tonight.
minus1C

More from Today

Jack

So Jimmy - the long flight from Ontario, or the busy times with the cousins wearing you out?

Young Racers

Silken, member of the BC Alpine Ski Team took some time today to coach Agatka, Ben and Nils of the Baldy racers.

As the Eagle Turns

The plan is to have Eaglechair turning at 9:30 am tomorrow. I went up with the patrol today and will have photos to post later. I assume that not all of the terrain will be open the first day.

Last night's snow with today's mild temperatures helped.

Expecting more snow as the week progresses.

Looking Good

I like it when I wake up to snow unloading from the roof. The ski corp is reporting 10cms new. That is fairly accurate for a settled amount of new this morning. I recorded more as it was falling last night.

It is a little milder today, and the sun is shining. So...........great skiing for Sugarlump, and real visibility up top for management and staff to assess the situation up top. I see snow cat tracks heading up this morning.

Will keep you posted, but in the meantime, enjoy a great day on Sugarlump.

Fresh Stuff for the Morning

Happy to see the snow fall tonight. Welcome home to Baldy - Samantha, Chris and family. I hope you can keep up to Claire tomorrow.

Start Saving Now Tony

Claire loves skiing. Start saving now Tony, Claire won't let you wait another 10 years  before you come back to Baldy again.

Snowing!!! At Last!!!

I didn't like the sunrise this morning, but at last it is snowing! Come on up for the afternoon.

Merry Christmas

A fun Christmas Eve Day - didn't get a lot of runs in - lots of visiting - next generation skiers - it is like a family reunion. Lunch with Lincoln.

Yes Morgan, the lady with the camera again - I've known your Mom since she was five.

Hey Ryan - I've known your Dad since he was 14.  I'm glad your family came back to Baldy for Christmas. A long trip from Moss Vale.

Ditto Brendan about your Dad - Glad you came to Pippi's cabin for Christmas.

How's this for a cool sled - I'm going to Frisbee Golf with my Mom.

Mom - why does that lady always take so many pictures of me.

Santa with Nicole

Cool Dad - I'd like a sled like this.

Christmas Eve

No sunrise this morning - looks like Santa is setting up to deliver the white stuff. As I type, it has just started to snow. temp minus4C

Breakfast with Santa this morning 8:30-10:30, and ride the Sugarlump with Santa 11:00 to Noon.

Have a Merry Christmas.

Breakfast and Riding with Santa

Be sure to stop by the lodge in the morning to see the big guy in red - tell him all you want for Christmas is more snow!!

After breakfast, Santa should be out on the slopes for awhile.

Be good, and ask for snow!!

Blog Hits

Still getting lots of blog hits from Australia. If you listen closely, many of our regular followers from down under are at Baldy for the holidays. Welcome home.

Last Minute Christmas Shopping

My inbox is loaded with last  minute Christmas shopping ideas, free shipping promises etc. If you have a last minute gift to buy - the lodge now has an assortment of logo apparel , some affordably priced adult gloves and mitts, assorted smaller stuff, and of course `Baldy Bucks`cards.

Oops! How could I forget all the cool stuff Cienna's Mom has made. There are all kinds of creations from baby hats to dog collars - face protectors, and those long neck tubes that can also be worn as hats. Check it out - colourful. The inventory is added to when Cienna lets her Mom have a few minutes at the sewing machine.

The Kids of Baldy

My ski buddies in this photo are from Rock Creek, Oliver, White Rock, Penticton, West Kelowna and North Vancouver. Friendships at this table were formed through the Nancy Greene Ski Racing Program.

Adam`s Poutine

Superior Mirage

The term is "Superior Mirage", it occurs when there is an inversion. The effect at Baldy is looking at the mountains in the distance, their shapes are distorted - flat tops, raised tops - it was cool to watch at the top of sugarlump today. I didn't have the right camera with me, and I had a setting problem with the helmet cam. Sorry I couldn`t get a great image for you.

The Mountain Tops in the distance are not the same as they appear.

Wednesday

No new photos or first hand reports from me today - I made the mistake of going to town. A reminder of why I prefer to be ready for Christmas by the end of November.

The One and Only......

It was fun, but I'm thinking that my sled ride with Matt today may be the only one. My preference is in the cat. I did get a good look at the snow fencing and drifting up top. We need more snow, but there are piles accumulating by the fencing that can be worked with.

No, I didn't take my skis - just hung on as tight as I could on the way down.

The following photos were taken at the top of Eaglechair this afternoon.

7 plus cms

Well it was fun while it lasted. The snow was coming down heavy earlier this evening - can see the odd star now. I measured a settle 7cms on my deck, but it did seem deeper out and about.

Sunrise and Santa

I am looking forward to the morning that I am not wakened by sun streaming through the front window, but snow sliding off the roof instead. I continue to be impressed each day with the work that Groomer (farmer) John does with the machine and the patrol does by hand to keep improving the conditions on Sugarlump. The skiing is good.

In checking my usual forecast site, there is snow in the forecast for tonight, but over the next few days it looks like the "Santa Factor" will be the strongest. Snowing Christmas Eve in to Christmas day.

My observations don't match the ski corp snow report site. No new snow overnight. There could be a couple of reasons for this - a reading at the measuring station could include snow blown against the measuring stick, and if an incorrect entry is made, it can't be changed. Skiing is good, and I will tell you as soon as we get some new stuff.

Monday

Some people will do almost anything to get their photo on the Blog.

Welcome Back Jess, Nicole, Mom and Dad

Former Employees

When you work at a ski hill, you don't get alot of time to ski or board. Former employees like to come back and enjoy. I've already posted Swan. This former ski instructor and former lift operator are riding incognito - hoping they won't be recognised and pressed in to service. Hi Max and Josh.

Sunny Sunday

More familiar faces arriving each day as the village fills up for the holidays.

You know who didn't want to pose with the family.

After a great afternoon on the slopes, it is always nice to have a couple of cosy foot warmers laying down on your toes at the dinner table.

Message to Ullr

If Ullr didn't get the message, it wasn't for lack of trying. One big bonfire tonight, and I'm thinking there could be coals for roasting marshmellows again tomorrow.

Holiday Saturday - and Swan

More terrain open on Sugarlump, and some good skiing today. I entertained three patrollers this afternoon with a spectacular wipeout on "MacLeod". I wish someone had caught the spins on a helmet cam.

Rookie Volunteer Patroller Jim, and former Lift Supervisor "Swan" - a familiar face on this blog.



Maritime Mike - Hi Mom

I saw it on Facebook Folks

Baldy's fan page - half price lift tickets continue until the eagle chair starts turning. One more big dump - come out to the bonfire Saturday night and send Ullr a message.

Measuring and Things

I measured front deck and back deck before posting this morning. Somehow when I walk out , get snow all over my pant legs, and clean off the truck, it always seems like more.

Heads up on the access roads - keep your speed down and eyes open - met a logging truck this morning - originated at 21km, heading up hill on McKinney - then down the Baldy Road to the Canyon Bridge.

White Thursday Morning

I measured, I didn't guess.  "6.5" cms overnight. Every bit counts. The forecasts I have been following suggest a pattern of continuing snow, a little sun today. Sounds like a little each day, but last night was double the forecast amount.

Long John Baldy

Long John Baldy is back posting on Facebook - first gig of the winter season is New Year's Eve.

Andrew

I posted earlier that we would be seeing Andrew in the powder this winter. Plans may have changed yesterday. Son Lincoln loves the magic carpet. Andrew might just have to sneak away and say he is "going to work".

Jess

Jessica Coburn - Snow board instructor and volunteer patroller at Baldy didn't want the season to end last year. When the snow kept falling after the season, she came back up for a few more rides. Thanks to Mom for this photo.

Web Stuff

The ski corp has geared up their website and facebook page with more info, more often. See the links on the sidebar.

Gearing Up for the Holidays

Baldy will be closed this week - Monday thru Friday - and re-opens Saturday for the Christmas Holidays - daily, except closed Christmas day.

To start off the season, the Snow Sports Center is offering free group lessons on Saturday and Sunday to help you brush up on your skills. Saturday and Sunday mornings there will be group lessons for sliders up to intermediate level, and in the afternoon, for those more advanced. A great opportunity to put on your gear and have a little "tune-up" of your sliding skills to start your season. Details at the snow sports center.

For first timers, there is an affordable package that includes lift, lesson and equipment.

Saturday night will be a welcome back bonfire outside the lodge at 8:00pm. Hot Chocolate, marshmellows and a chance to say hello to old friends. In consideration of the environment, no skis will be sacrificed to Ullr (Norse God of Snow) however we will gather around the fire and let Ullr know we want more snow.

Up a Notch

Some more work by Groomer John, staff , and volunteer patrol last night and this morning made the early season conditions even better. I took my skiing up a notch this afternoon and enjoyed FW Prospector and Fairweather at a higher speed. It was cold, but a few flakes in the air.

Webcam Glitch

Yes Sugarlump is turning, people are sliding - for some reason the Sugarlump cam froze up on the Baldy site at 8:26. Come on up and join us for the afternoon on the groomers. Temp minus6, sun trying to come through.

Great First Day

It felt good to be back on the slopes today. Thanks Kyle for tuning my skis the way I like them.

We need more snow to get the Eaglechair open, but the groomer and patrol have done a good job of preparing the open runs on Sugarlump with good early season conditions.

One More Sleep!

One more sleep, then the Sugarlump Chair and Magic Carpet will take us up the hill for the first turns of the season. The Baldy website has posted day tickets at half price for opening day.

The latest guesses are the possibility of some snow Saturday night, and a major weather shift back to what we like by next weekend.

Lift Operator Training

Lift Operator Training Today - of course using a shovel is a key part of the job.

Village People

No comment - just look at the webcam at the village road.

Web News

I started this blog to get current info out to friends and fellow skiers. The ski area site was not getting updated on non-operating days. The ski area has made some changes to try to keep their site more up to date.

You will still get snow reports from my perspective, and news of all things Baldy on a daily basis. I'll just have a little friendly competition now for being the first with some news.

Lunar Eclipse

Check out http://www.oliverdailynews.com/ for details on a lunar eclipse early Saturday morning. One has to get out of bed before 4:45 in the morning to see it........but that shouldn't be too tough for anyone excited to make their first turns Saturday.

Surprise

There is a surprise awaiting us on Sugarlump. I can't tell you........but a hint might be that Teledeano will have mixed feelings - he'll like it, but maybe too many people will compete for his "lines".You'll have to come Saturday to find out.

Yahoo!

It is official. Sugarlump and magic carpet open for the season on Saturday Dec.10th.
9:30 am the lifts will be turning.

We do need more snow for Eaglechair, but I'll be very happy to be sliding on the Sugarlump this weekend.

New Mount Baldy Facebook Page

Check out the link on the side bar to the new Mount Baldy Ski Area Facebook Fan page.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000888065587&ref=tn_tnmn#!/skibaldy?sk=wall&filter=2

Bonus Cam

MK has wanted a webcam at the top of eaglechair for a long time. Below is one of the images from the new webcam at the top lift shack.


Snow fencing shown is just some of the many rows that go down across the dividend.



Cross Country

A couple of friends were up last week for some R&R and to shovel out the family cabin. Thanks to the sister of the masked man for the photo.

Looking back at Sugarlump and McKinney from the Meadow.

Sunday Afternoon

Lots of activity around the lodge today. Photos taken, skis dropped off, kids playing in the snow, and a few climbers went up to ski.
Ullr, it is time to chase the sunshine away and give us more snow.

Baldy Racers

K level racers have already been training at a nearby ski resort. Looking forward to your smiling faces on Baldy very soon!

Ski Patrol



Baldy's Ski Patrol has a core of full time patrollers, and a dedicated team of volunteer patrollers. This photo - which also appears at the bottom of the page, is the very capable patrol leader and paramedic.
Note to the new staff who just met me today - you never know when I will show up with my camera.



More Saturday