Update - power restored to Phoenix
Our friends at Phoenix got a good start this year with snow, but have been hit by a multi day power outage.
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Baldy Babes Starting Soon
Happy New Year Baldy Babes!
Our first snowshoe
is Monday, January 6th. Meeting at the Baldy Lodge at 9 o'clock for coffee/tea
and muffins. Gathering at the Kiosk at 10 o'clock for a two hour snowshoe with
your Guides, Hilary, Cheryl and Marian.
Our lunch will be
two courses with wine and dessert.
We are enjoying
beautiful conditions on the snowshoe trails with an abundance of snow.
Looking forward to
a wonderful Baldy Babes snowshoe season and seeing your smiling faces.
If you plan on
attending our first snowshoe on Monday, January 6th, please reply to msbarber55@gmail.com just so we can have
a count for this week only. The Baldy staff can prepare better with a count.
Mt Baldy Alpine Club Gearing up for the Season
Check out their website: http://mtbaldyalpineclub.com/
A coaches course was completed mid December. There is a camp coming up - I do not know if it is fully booked.
The Locker Room
You know what happens in a hockey game when a bug is making it's way through your favourite team's locker room.
Most of Baldy's staff live in shared accommodation, and a bug has been making the rounds. You may have seen staff wearing masks yesterday to try and stop the spread. May the New Year be the end of the illness.
Be kind.
Monday, December 30, 2024
Missing Skis
Does someone in your family have a pair of skis like these? Did you by chance take home the wrong pair on Sunday? They were outside the lodge to the left as you leave the lodge.
Jerry on the Hill Today
Village Folks - How can we help out? Unprecedented Skier Visits
Resort update regarding the last week of the holidaysToday, Baldy experienced an unprecedented volume of skier visits today. While we are thrilled to have so many people visit our little resort that has been working tirelessly to grow and improve these last 5 years, the sheer amount of the public around the resort can create some challenges.
Please be prepared to stand in a considerable line for day tickets. If you already have an RFID card from a previous visit, and have an email tied to your account, you can purchase your day ticket online and head straight to the lift. If guest services had not tied your email address to your account, please visit the office after the rush and we can add that to your profile so you can use our online system. Alternatively you may pre purchase tickets for a future date at guest services.
Tomorrow, Dec 31st, guest services and the roundhouse will be open for day ticket sales. That's three different stations capable of sorting out tickets.
If there is a considerable line in the morning and we get close to our half day time, (we can sell at 12pm, ski at 12:30) consider waiting for then to purchase a ticket if our full day price is insufficient for your budget close to lunch time.
If you have the means to carpool to the resort, please do as the volume yet again created parking challenges to the point where our food order truck struggled to get past parked cars on the road. Which as mentioned in a previous post, parking on the road is not permitted.
In situations like this, if our delivery can not make it to the lodge, we may run out of food to serve you in the lodge.
Our staff are working very hard to accommodate this increased volume and we hope you remain charitable and understanding to them as they work to serve you.
Thank you for your patience and see you on the slopes 
- How can we help?
- Do you have folks in your cabin with RFID cards? Suggest they purchase their day ticket on line, and if there is an issue with that, stop by guest services later afternoon to set that up.
- If you have extra off street parking at your cabin, invite your friends to park on your property.
- Please use the washrooms in your cabin if at all possible.
- If the lodge is overflowing, please take your breaks at your cabin.
- Be kind and patient with staff - they are doing their best.
- Use our Baldy skills to help the guests enjoy their day. I spent a little time on Baldy trail with a struggling guest today. I'm no longer an instructor, but I haven't forgotten how.
- It is in all of our best interests to help the Baldy team through this busy time!
Incognito, but they are on the hill today
Allison, the electrician who wired in the Eagle control panel on the electrical upgrade a few years ago. Terry and Kevin, both paramedics and former Baldy staff and patrollers. Posing with Marian, former patroller and current snow shoe guide,
Facebook "Stories"
Always check the time on Facebook stories - some need to be deleted before the automatic delete. The post about Sugarlump was yesterday.
Sunday, December 29, 2024
Take Your Time
There is a full sized pick up off the road below 19km. The truck is on its wheels, but well below the road level. Lights and 4 ways are on. I stopped, as did the couple behind me - we did not climb down. From the number of footprints at the scene. it appears that the occupants were no longer there.
I passed a number of vehicles heading down who could have potentially picked up the occupant(s). It was snowing very heavily, and there was already snow built up on the windows. The lights were strong, so it was reasonably fresh.
I am reminded of the comments of one of the youth I used to transport up and down the mountain. "I like riding with you. It takes longer, but at least I know I am going to get there."
Saturday, December 28, 2024
They do come back...............
I'm glad the young ones recognize me, because I'm not great at recognizing them, all grown up.
A trio of women from Alf and Anna's cabin stopped while I was clearing my driveway, again. As soon as she spoke, I could identify Anna's daughter. With her was Tara LePoidevin - I haven't seen her for decades. Tara's grandparents and father operated LePoidevin Florists in Osoyoos when I was young. The cabin that is now known as "Miller Time", was the LePoidevin family cabin. (Yes, I will have to check the spelling, as I haven't written that name in a very long time.)
Rylan Potter was on the hill today, and is staying with friends on the mountain. It hasn't been that long since I have seen him, but needed the window down to be sure. So many good memories of time on the hill, sharing birthday parties, and camping with the Potter boys.
Rylan is now an engineer, and his brother Sayre is a lawyer. Rylan's brother, father, and grandmother all taught skiing at Baldy.
As for the long curly hair, sorry Quinn, but I think his is thicker and longer. We'd have to have him side by side with Jake for a comparison.
Busiest Time of the Year
As members of the community, we can helped a stretched staff through the busiest time of the year. Try to use your cabin bathroom, and leave the lodge washrooms for guests. If the ski racks are overloaded at lunch time, maybe this is the day you go back to the cabin for lunch - you can support the food services on a quieter day.
BMR is dealing with a lot of cars, some parking on Cougar. If you have little ones or must drive down to the lodge, drop your passengers by the lodge if you can, and then park somewhere other than on the road.
Better yet, if you have a non skier in the cabin, perhaps they can drop you off at the lodge, and pick you up later.
Another Day, another 11cms
Just guessing that there may have been some wind last night. My snow fence is leaning, and I had to go outside to read the snow stick.
Friday, December 27, 2024
Thursday, December 26, 2024
Al Raine , Mayor of Sun Peaks, passed away December 15th.
I missed this news as I was out of Province at the time, and not watching much news. It is worth googling Al Raine - I couldn't choose one article to share here. His contributions to the ski industry are too many to list.
I just learned of his passing tonight - had dinner with one of Nancy Greene Raine's school classmates from Rossland.
Boxing Day
Well it finally stopped snowing this afternoon, and the total for this storm on my deck measuring stick is a settled 18cms. It always seems like more when you are shovelling or snow blowing....
 |
| The container was cleared off once already, and it is only December. |
Tomorrow - Matt Duffus in the Baldy Bar
Cabin a little full? Send your guests to the bar tomorrow for live music.
Wednesday, December 25, 2024
Merry Christmas AIM. YRB, not so much
Last I heard, YRB was well aware that their road sections were rough, but their grader was "down." The grader I saw by the bridge the other day, was not theirs. It is owned by another company who sometimes does work for YRB.
Highways contact links are on the side bar.
I shall not repeat my earlier posts about grading before freeze up.
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Christmas Eve
It is Christmas Eve, we have plenty of snow, and lots of people in the village. I was told last night that Global Okanagan posted an outdated base measurement. This morning's measurement at the alpine measuring station is 120cms. If you have been on the hill, you know the coverage is great.
I haven't heard anything about the traditional Christmas caroling, so don't know if it is going to happen tonight.
There are so many files on my computer, I have yet to find the code for the blinking Christmas lights for the blog.
Lots on the to do list, so no ski photos today.
I am the bah humbug type, but have to admit there was a smile this morning when I saw the video clip of my great nephew singing "Jingle Bell Rock" in his crib.
Monday, December 23, 2024
New to the village? Owning, visiting, renting?
Kids Outside
Please tell the kids to stay away from the sides of the cabins. They don't want to be there when the roof load lets go. I saw tracks today originating at a rental, and going up along side the cabin above. The roof had partially unloaded, but there was enough up there to cause a problem if it released.
Roads
The driveway snowbanks are getting high . Please stop and look, before exiting a driveway.
Garbage and Recycling - you had room to bring it up...
We have a transfer station for household garbage only. If everyone throws everything in there, it will become overstuffed and attract wildlife.
Lots of items are recyclable at the transfer station. All cardboard boxes should be flattened and put in there.
Bottle Depot in Oliver
Glass, other flexible plastics, batteries, light bulbs, smoke detectors, coloured and white styrofoam are all accepted there. If someone is going to town for groceries, take these items there. All that styrofoam from Christmas gifts does not go in the garbage bin.
Empty beverage containers:
The Oliver bottle depot has the return-it express service. If you have an express account at home, you can bag your empties, milk and juice cartons etc and take them there. If you wish to donate to Baldy Community efforts including FireSmart, take the phone number from the side bar, and drop off your empties with that number.
| Monday | 9:00AM - 3:30PM |
| Tuesday | 9:00AM - 3:30PM |
| Christmas Day | CLOSED |
| Boxing Day | CLOSED |
| Friday | CLOSED |
| Saturday | 9:00AM - 3:30PM |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
| Holidays | CLOSED |
Happy Holidays! The depot holiday hours are as follows: Closed Dec 25-27 inclusive, reopen for regular hours Dec 28-31 inclusive, then closed for Jan 1-2, reopening on January 3rd. We wish all our valued customers a safe and happy holiday season and a prosperous New Year.
Who is here today?
A family from Calgary, who ski Lake Louise. When Dad Steven was a baby, Baldy had family parties in the lodge. Steven slept in a cardboard box while his parents danced. Marion is happy to have family here for Christmas - these grandchildren are now in University.
Moving in at Tin Horn Lodge - members of a family who had a cabin down the street from me for many years.
Sunday, December 22, 2024
Sunday
I finally got out on the hill today, and the groomers were great. I heard they were even better on Saturday.
A couple of sentimental runs to start - first run down Jones for Ethel. Second run down Wizard with Ken, Betty, Jay, Wally and Mary Anne on my mind.
Next new run on the lump should be named for the Days.
Snowing heavily tonight, and minus2.8C
Saturday, December 21, 2024
Baldy Generations
You may have seen this young fellow in the bar for lunch, with Mom, Dad, and Grandpa. They were seated in front of his great-grandmother's skis.
Current Menu Now Posted
Click on the Menu tab above, and you can check out the all new food and beverage menu at the bar.
Looks great, includes new kids menu , and breakfast menu.
Thanks Quinn for the Info - Congrats to Mel , taking on the Food and Beverage Challenge
Bar and Food Hours
Bar
Dec 20-Jan 5th Open 7 days a week at 11am. (Closed Christmas Day)
- Closed at 6pm Sunday-Thursday.
- Closed at 10pm or till late Friday & Saturday.
Jan 6th-Apr 6th
- Bar closed Mondays-Wednesdays
- Open Thursdays-Sundays at 11am. Closed at 6pm Thurs & Sun.
- Closed at 10pm or till late Fri & Sat
Bar hours may differ if there is an event.
Food
- Food hours on days it closes at 6pm food ends at 5:30
- For late night Friday and Saturday, food ends at 8pm
- Cafeteria food ends at 4pm
Congratulations to Mel for the work she has put into a fresh start for food and beverage. I look forward to tasting the new menu. (I will post it soon)
*For future reference, these times are listed on a tab above.
Friday, December 20, 2024
Road Report
Yesterday, there was a grader parked by the Canyon Bridge, and the canyon appeared to be freshly graded. The rest of the way was the ripple effect, with minimal sand.
McKinney Road today - AIM section is graded, winged back, and well sanded. The YRB section is ripple effect.
Watch your step when you get up here - it was mild today, and freezing now.
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Recycling
It is no secret that I support and encourage recycling. On November 12th, I mailed some jars of my homemade jam to Toronto. They arrived while I was there, on December 18th. I had used pieces of bubble wrap and bubble mailer to protect the jars.
As I unpacked the box, I learned that bubble wrap is considered garbage in Metro Toronto. I questioned it, and it was confirmed.
Metro Toronto could learn some things from Recycle BC.
I brought the bubble wrap home to put in my "other flexible plastics" for next time I go to the bottle depot in Oliver.
Six Days
I left the mountain on December 13th, back today. 6 days of snowfall settled to 38cms.
Many thanks to neighbours and friends for helping keep the blog fresh, and for making my return easier. MMT and Sam showed up minutes after I got home, and my next door neighbour had shovelled the steps, with supervision from Bentley.
Tree Issues again yesterday
Power outage yesterday affecting part of the village, and trees down on McKinney Road.
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