Time Change Weekend

 

Shiny and New

A shiny new Kubota out for test runs today. The current management inherited parking lot clearing challenges, and have done the best they could with what they had. The new machine arrived today, and there are smiles all 'round.

Power-less thoughts

An apparent change of policy by the energy provider is concerning this year. Past practice of marking danger trees near power lines, and having a tree company come and take them down didn't happen this year.

A puzzling appearance by the same contractor this summer tipping twigs off standing dead is not likely to be effective. Those of us who live here know that heavily snow laden trees can snap at some point near the top or half way down the trunk. Occasionally, trees will uproot and tip over. Those larger pieces can strike the power lines and knock out our power.

In the olden days, repair crews came out of Greenwood, so we got used to long outages. When the road was built from the Oliver side in the mid-eighties, repair crews came out of Oliver. Even now, the duration of an outage can be 5 hours.

A recent report of a dead tree close to a power line and transformer received mixed messaging from the energy provider.

Did this policy change have anything to do with the recent need for us to vote for a right of way to get the provider to connect new builds?

There are recent "blow down" trees on some of the snowshoe trails, without the kind of wind that is generally needed to bring those trees down.

A dead tree threatening your home connection is your responsibility. A dead tree threating the main line is the responsibility of the energy provider.

Two of my friends had "green" old pines snap in half just before Christmas last year. Fortunately they fell parallel to their homes.

What could all this mean? More power outages this winter?

Freestyle Snowboard - Josh Shulman is coming back to do a Sunday program

Hello Baldy Community!!

I just thought I would post here and let everyone know that the Apex Freestyle Ski & Snowboard Club is expanding to Baldy this coming season!! SNOWBOARD ONLY. Our ski programs are not coming to Baldy. The Baldy Alpine Club does a great job!

So far we have SEVEN athletes signed up to ride with our club at Baldy on Sundays. We would love to get more of your kids out sliding sideways with our club. Shoot me a message if you want more info or if you know a young ripper who’s looking for a fun posse to shred with!

Message Josh Shulman on Facebook.

A matter of inches - clipped by a low bed

Not a great start to the day. I met a low bed hauling a piece of logging equipment  just below the corner climbing up out of the canyon. I don't know why I honked the horn because he was committed, and there wasn't enough room between the back of his trailer and the ditch.

Fortunately, his trailer just clipped the foldable mirror on the drivers side of the truck, and it bent then snapped back into place without damage. He did stop to ask if he had hit me.

Around km 23 on McKinney, there was a tow truck loading up a burned out vehicle.

I had some difficulty downloading the dash cam video tonight, but will try another card reader tomorrow.

Well I got the video sorted, not sure if it is a setting that there is no audio - the bang when the mirror contacted was pretty loud for me.

 

Sale at Sessions Outdoor Sports

The Osoyoos store on Highway 97 is reducing inventory as they prepare to relocate to a downtown Osoyoos location. Discounts on some ski gear, not just the summer stuff.

Official Trailer for Warren Miller’s SNO-CIETY | Warren Miller Entertainment - Baldy Bar November 22nd

Show time 7:00pm

Bar open a couple of hours earlier.

Appies and beers available for sale.

Warren Miller 2025 - $20 per person.

More than just FireSmart...........

There are dead trees that are a liability. Good to see a bunch being taken down today. 

Sunday

18cms settled - Friday evening to Sunday morning.

 

Ski Baldy BC Promo Video - Blast from the past.

That great skier with the white pants knows how to fall trees.;)

Saturday night, 8:00pm

15cms and still snowing. I did not clear off the measuring spot this morning. 

BMR Website

Standby for a new BMR website, sometime in November.

The current website was fixed up enough for the season pass sales to work, but a new one is coming.

Quinn is providing content to the developers. They ski, and like to ski Baldy.

Coming Soon

Not stealing their thunder, but I'll be there with my camera when a new piece of equipment arrives.

Will know tomorrow if there is something happening on the 22nd.

Soft opening of the bar November 28th and 29th - hours TBA

As posted below - office 7 days a week starting November 1st, 10:00 to 4:00

Positive Energy

I don't recall coming away from the BMR office in October feeling this energized.

The team is positive and excited for the season.

Sugar Lump and Carpet maintenance complete, and a couple more things to do on Eagle.

The PB Park that went out on a truck yesterday is going to someone who specializes in working on PB's.

The new "merch" is great. They have sourced product from a supplier who does work for major ski areas. 

Bonus - Toddler size stuff, little mitts, smaller size neck tubes, and youth jackets and pants.

You may well find something for your Christmas list in the Office.

Starting November 1st, the office will be open daily from 10:00 to 4:00 - pick up your pass, shop the merch, or just say Hi.

Hut Maintenance

A community member and friend were at the hut yesterday.

They removed all the beer cans from the outdoor fireplace, swept out the hut, cleaned up the deconstruction of the pillows, covered the firewood on the deck, and dealt with mouse droppings.

Please leave the hut cleaner than you found it.

If you feel you must leave something edible in the hut - even tea bags, do so only if it is in a sealed rodent proof container.

If you actually use the chewed pillows up there, consider donating a Rubbermaid container with lid to store new. clean, pillows.

The entrance point for the mice was not found. 

Snow is coming, prep is continuing........

You can see the Prinoth and PB Edge outside the shop in the feature photo. They have been serviced in house, and today, the PB Park left on a truck for a major overhaul.

The Eagle was turning when I went by today - I haven't talked to the guys so don't know where they are at  doing the "line work".  Riding in the cage would be chilly as the clouds moved in and the wind picked up.

Ski Patrol had some on site training and refresher the other day. I assume the Big White Emergency Transfer van was the trainer.

Tom is bundled up working on his place. Lots of inside work accomplished by Bruce before it was time to take the camper home. The strata AGM passed the right-of-way resolution removing the delays for new builds. Now the manufactured cabin that was craned into place continues to sit - hopefully not too long a wait for power. The roof trusses started going up down the street from me this afternoon. A cabin built by one of Baldy's founding families is expanding with the next generations.

Lots of activity in the village with firewood and other winter prep activities.

No chipping this weekend....

Thank-you to the octogenarian who contacted me today, and was prepared to travel some distance to help out.  

What Lies Behind The Trees (TRAILER)

Trailer for upcoming Okanagan Forest Task Force documentary. 

https://okanaganforesttaskforce.com/

This volunteer organization has removed 1.3 million pounds of garbage and scrap metal from the backcountry. The group dismantled a major encampment outside of OK Falls a few years ago, and took a staggering amount out of the Peachland watershed recently. Most of the work to date has been in the Kelowna area with Kelowna area volunteers, but there have been locals interested in forming a South Okanagan group.

If you download the OFTF app on your phone, you can easily report a dump site. Enter description and photos, and it will automatically upload it to OFTF including GPS when you get into cell range.

Unfortunately for the leader and his family, they have been targeted by the occasional individual who objects to what the group is doing. They now have cameras on their home, and his wife's truck was keyed in Kelowna recently. The group has a good relationship with both the RCMP and Conservation Service. They may talk to someone in a trashy encampment, but don't start clean-up on an active encampment.

They have a major fundraiser every year, and they now have game cameras in strategic areas in the Kelowna back country - people have been busted for dumping boats etc in the bush,

Some of the stuff on their FB page is unbelievable. Yes people do really trash the back country,

Wylee to the hut for lunch

 

Thanks for the photos Rod.

In the best interests of all...............

For more than 30 years, our community has arranged a place close by for forest debris, to encourage and assist the community in doing FireSmart activity. For the most part, a community "burn pile" worked reasonably well, until the volume increased, and the pile was abused. BMR withdrew permission to use the last site, and Council decided not to pay the associated costs of pushing the pile up.

There was discussion this year between Council, BMR, and the FireSmart Board. I am no longer part of the FireSmart Board, so did not participate in the discussion.

The Community Association stepped up to look after the cost of maintaining the pile. What they are able to do is limited by decisions from the other parties.

So no fire, no stumps.

The RDKB is covering the cost of a large chipper which will arrive here for Saturday. An appeal for volunteers to sort material has only generated one volunteer.

Consider pitching in - take your safety gear, and help out. If you are a regular user of trails in the gravel pit area, please be advised that the pit will be an active chipping site.

Will I be there? Maybe. My respiratory issues are aggravated by the exhaust of gas and diesel powered equipment. I am still working on getting my place ready for winter, and have help coming.

If you are not happy with the no fire no stump policies, take it up with BMR and/or Council.  

A side note:

The best ever burn pile site we had was on part of what is now the wide spot in the parking lot. Being highly visible, people were careful about what they put there. George W used to cut the main portion of his firewood from what others had discarded.

Household Garbage Transfer Station - Saturday

 

If they are that desirable, put them on the street in front of your house.

Flatten and put in the recycle bin.

Take to appropriate metal recycle place.

Crossing the Rainbow Bridge..........

Rosie crossed the rainbow bridge today, after 12 good years.  Posting about a dog passing is not something I usually do, but everyone knew Rosie. She was the guardian of the upper cul-de-sac, and likely she logged the most miles zig zagging the Baldy snowshoe trails during her life time. When she was sleeping on the couch, her legs would be running while she dreamt of being on the trails.

Our thoughts are with Marian and Jim. They have always had at least one Irish Setter in the family since they came to Baldy. Recent days have been tough, and Marian in particular will miss her constant canine companion.

 

Regional District Kootenay Boundary Interactive Map

Look it up - no need to speculate. To clarify some recent discussions in the community.

https://mapping.rdkb.com/portal/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=a04d9112a9be4e019997de84e5135f04  

Select your target area and zoom in.

There is access at the cul-de-sac below the strata, in Wapiti. It is not an easy access, but those who find themselves in conflict with the owner of lot 16 could locate pins and work on a trail.

There is no public road between Porcupine and Whiskey Jack.

During construction of my cabin in 1977, Terry Smith knew the owners of lots 62 and 63, and got permission to clear a path to go through their properties to excavate for my foundation. My contractor later built a flume down that way to pour my foundation. The logs were also skidded down that way on the snow.

Around that time, not long after, there was a neighbourly agreement to make a path down the survey line from the power line to lots 64 and 79. This provided access for construction of at least three of the cabins along there.

At some point after that, I paid to have the path extended to my lot 80, to get firewood in to the back of my property.

Again, all of this is private property. Many of the adjacent properties have changed hands. At any time, any adjacent property owner could deactivate their portion of the path.

Beyond my lot 80, there remains the survey line from the original layout of the subdivision.

In recent years, I had a very steep driveway built on my lot, so that in the event of losing that access, I could still get to the back of my property.

I put up a snow fence at the back of my property during ski season to keep skiers from cutting through my property and encountering my truck on one side, or a steep drop off on the other side.

I you are familiar with the fence, it is not on the property line - it is set back 3 feet on one send and two feet on the other end from the property line.

Please understand, that when you go through this path, you are on private property.

No access through the Davison driveway.

It should be common knowledge by now that the Davison driveway is private property, not trail access.

Sunday

Snow on the ground, more wood (tarped) to split, and few more things to put away. I have been expecting this, but last night the laptop that has been struggling decided to stop cooperating.

Everything is backed up, and the new laptop has the basics set up on it, but things like my turkey clip art, and historical photos are not at my finger tips.

Bear with me as I juggle my time between outdoor chores, indoor chores, hockey games, and computer work.

Base Area Clean Up

I prefer the Andy Foster method - don't announce anything until you are absolutely sure it is going to happen. So we wait until spring, and hope for a good announcement.

• The "Sprung" structure aka "rodent haven" has been removed.
• A temporary structure has been built for the electrical stuff.
• The balance of the original foundation has been cleaned up.
• The site has been looked at and test holes dug.

If something happens next summer, the work done already will expedite the process. The wish for a long time has been to get rid of the "Snowy" trailers, and construct a guest services/rental building with lots of washrooms! Hoping for good things next spring.

Alpine Club Hut Moved

The old hut was gifted to the Alpine Club several years ago, and has been moved to a more convenient location - the fourth one for this 12 x 20 building.

Osoyoos Hardware and Lumber (Uncle Paul), had it constructed to house the original rental shop. 

I was offered the building if I could move it on to my lot, but the logistics were challenging, and I wanted something bigger.

When the lodge was expanded, it was turned, and used as the ski patrol hut.

It was moved away from the lower base area to make room for the fabric snow sports center.

The Alpine Club has moved it, and the project continues.

I have photos of all the locations, and will add them later.

 

Community - Thank-you BMR Team

In our small community with lots of activity, the sound of an inbound ambulance with sirens and speed got a lot of hearts pounding. More so when the sirens were turned off at a particular location.

Thank-you to the first aid trained Baldy Team members for responding until the ambulance arrived.

The information I have is that someone involved in a delivery on Whiskey Jack Road was injured.

Our thoughts are with the injured individual, and those who were nearby.

Change is Coming!

The unseasonable warmth is coming to an end, and we could see snow Saturday night and Sunday night. It is a little early for it to stay around, but cooler temperatures are on the way.

Please remember to bring 9volt batteries with you this weekend. It is time to check smoke alarms.

Love these guys!

I asked Sam for help, and he brought Matt (and Finn) with him. We got a lot done, including moving my huge pile of split firewood from the back of the property to the winter spot, under the front deck. After 52 years of driving, and 17 of those years driving a Tacoma, young Sam is way better than me at backing up the trailer.

We did a little task for friends on Ore House, then followed the sound of the chain saw. Andrew was more than happy to see his long time friend. I've known Matt and Andrew since before they became fathers. Matt and Robin have three in their twenties. Andrew and Jenny's two are both teenagers, and Linc has his driver's license.

Matt came to Baldy the year the Eagle Chair was installed, and stayed for 20 years - lift maintenance, patrol, and eventually Mountain Manager. Andrew worked with Russell in lift maintenance and did amazing things with the cats including park building.

Chipping in the Gravel Pit Oct 25th and 26th

 

Moving the wood waste site up to the gravel pit above the village has been a great success and a great deal of material has been collected, mostly as part of ongoing FireSmart works. The Regional District is going to contribute the costs of a chipper and we are responsible for the labour. 

 

Could you respond by email snowmac@shaw.ca if you are available to help sort materials on the weekend of October 25/26 and what the availability is. A few hours, a half day or all day; for each day. 

 

Please let us know as soon as possible and we will determine if we think that have enough people. We think that we need 6-8 folks per day to use the machine efficiently. Thanks, Rod  

 

Dr. Jane Goodall’s Final Message To The World | Famous Last Words | Netflix

Lots of photo ops tonight, but only had the cheap cell camera............

 

Household Garbage

The transfer station is for household garbage, not renovation debris.

Stay Safe - SOGH ER Reopens at 7:00pm

 https://www.castanet.net/news/Oliver-Osoyoos/576209/South-Okanagan-General-Hospital-s-ER-closed-Sunday-afternoon#576209

Larix 10K Mountain Race - Great Event, with a little Baldy weather mixed in

The inaugural event had 38 registrants - running to the summit of Baldy and back down. Congratulations to all the finishers - all completed on their own two feet.

Team Baldy staff and many volunteers did a great job, helping with set up, take down, timing, aid stations, patrol on standby.

There was fresh snow up top this morning, and a few storms left the outdoor course workers a little cold and damp.

Dear young people who have known me for a long time - if I don't appear to recognise you, please speak up.

The perils of being a senior citizen. I didn't recognise Brandon Millett until I read his business card. (to be posted later.) Maybe it was the beard.

The climber who worked with Dale Kellerman earlier this week, Brandon.

The guy with the dump box trailer working with Andrew the last couple of weekends, Brandon.

Larix Tree Services, Brandon.

He was a lift operator here starting I think when he was in high school. He patrolled here for awhile.

He worked with Andrew for Jason in forestry.

His half brother is Maritime Mike.

Have a look at Kendal's place - Andrew and Brandon did an amazing job.

Alder, ground fuels and dead trees, all gone.

Saturday BBQ

You don't have to be entered in the race to stop by and enjoy the outdoor lunch BBQ. 

Right of Way and unnecessary hurdles...........

100 Tonne Crane

 

Congratulations to the Miller family on the safe arrival and installation of their mountain home. Straight from the manufacturing facility, appliances installed etc. BUT

They have to wait a month to connect to power! The AGM will have a vote that could put in place an unrestricted right of way, which could eliminate the requirement of every new build applying for an individual right of way. There is info on Powerstrata, or you could talk to one of the council members.

The way to grow our community and the ski area is to make things easier not more difficult for new builds.

Outdoor Movie Night at the Pink Palace

Get out your long johns and bring a blanket - movie night Friday.

Thank-you CWSAA for the Photo

You know winter is coming when...........Trevor comes to work in long pants. He was still wearing shorts long after the others!

If you are looking for a run this weekend, Mt Baldy may be the place to be says Brandan Datoff, manager for the southern Okanagan ski area east of Oliver BC. The Larix (ie: Larch) 10KM is one of the events staged over the summer months to create animation. This complements the many advancements to F&B, ticketing, grooming and overall guest experience for the coming winter, as well as the busy maintenance window in which all ski areas are focused. The Terrain Park scene remains vibrant and the night lights on the conveyor lift contribute to a growing evening atmosphere for local and visiting families.

Driving Force Vehicle Rentals, Sales & Leasing

Kal Tire

From CWSAA Facebook

At any time..........

Driving the roads to Baldy, one should always be aware that anything could be encountered around the corner - bear, moose, deer.........

Cabin owners will have received a note regarding temporary road blockages in the village later today and tomorrow morning. This also means that you could encounter slow moving large trucks on the road today.

I have followed the crane truck before - it is big, and does not move very fast.

If you want to watch tomorrow morning, please do so from private property, and stay well clear of the trucks and activity on Cougar at Wapiti.

"Trees Must Fall"

This is a timely article for me, having recently returned from Manning Park. If humans don't make forests more wildfire resistant, everything could burn.

https://thetyee.ca/News/2025/09/26/Provincial-Park-Fire-Fix-Prescription/

Thanks to the Tyee. John Davies is part of this article - a respected RPF with lots of wildfire experience.

John is one of the professionals who has looked at the Baldy situation.

Tell YRB What you think!

If you are not already aware, YRB has the contract to maintain the Baldy Road, and the top section of the McKinney Road, down to the old microwave site, turn around area. The rest of McKinney Road is handled by another contractor. As you complete the survey, note that Mt. Baldy is not listed as a community serviced by YRB. Do they think no one lives here?

 

From: Jody Henshaw <jodyh@yrb.ca>
Date: September 25, 2025 at 10:38:02 AM PDT
Subject: Community Feedback

Dear Stakeholders,

 

I have created a link to gather some community feedback.

 

Please feel free to complete a short survey.  YRB Kootenay Boundary looks forward to seeing input from yourself and others.

 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfIjD5zPFislCpQnmm2qll41d69PSWJhthFD60ODkW0d5KOJw/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=112892483724114372667