Monday, February 23, 2026
Spring Passes
Sunday, February 22, 2026
I'm not usually a "Change dot Org" Type, but
There is special section of the KVR rail trail out of Princeton that was severely damaged after the 2021 atmospheric river. My particular interest is the geology of the area, but it has been a gem of a trail for many. A recent decision was to spend around 20 million to completely deactivate it, rather than 60 million to restore it. Princeton is lobbying for another look. Some of the users are motorized, but restoring to foot and cycle traffic may end up being an option. If you are so inclined, have a look at the info and consider the petition.
Saturday, February 21, 2026
Just when one brags about the wide open space.................
A view of today's "ant hill", thanks Cheryl.
Mr. Schlackl and Team Atomic
Friday, February 20, 2026
March 7th - Baldy Ski Patrol Awareness Day
Event by Canadian Ski Patrol - South Okanagan Boundary Zone
We are a group of dedicated individuals working together as a team to provide assistance to mountain operations and first aid support when needed. All in a mountain environment where everyone ,loves to ski.
Be Happy
We would have liked more new snow more often this winter, but we have had good quality groomed skiing. Knees older than mine enjoyed the off piste yesterday.
The fatal avalanche in the Sierras was rated a 2.5.
In Europe, damage and closures due to avalanches and warnings rated 5.
Check out this article on the avalanche that took out a ski lift, Meribel.
https://www.tetongravity.com/175cm-of-snow-and-a-destroyed-lift-in-meribel/
Thursday, February 19, 2026
No Fire Department
We do not have a fire department. We have a number of full timers who have basic wildfire fighting training.
The village was laid out with no cabin more than 1000ft from a forestry hydrant. That is a lot of hose lay to get to some cabins.
Access to the hydrants is not always consistently maintained in the winter.
The wildfire folks have had issues with the water utility regarding who is authorized to charge a hydrant. I don't know where that is at. The wapiti hydrants are different than the strata hydrants.
Homeowners do not know what the hose inventory is, and how to access it.
Things you can do, just in case..............
- is my unit/chimney W.E.T.T. compliant and clean
- fire extinguisher in the kitchen and by the wood stove
- tap in the basement with 100ft garden hose and nozzle attached
- red smothering fire blanket in the kitchen
- plumb an outdoor hose bib that can be left on in the summer when your inside water is off, 100 ft hose and nozzle attached
Information for newer members of the community.................
W.E.T.T. Inspections
Many of the cabins were built before there were W.E.T.T. inspections. Newer devices and chimneys come with mandatory clearances from combustibles. In recent years, insurers have required long term clients to provide a W.E.T.T. inspection certificate in order to continue coverage. One cabin snagged in that request had an excellent, efficient wood stove, built by the owner who was qualified to manufacture it. He had to replace it because it did not have a ULC plate on it.
Chimney Cleaning
As a full time resident, I have my chimney cleaned once a year. I have a newer efficient stove, and burn dry wood. Since the installation of my Pacific Energy stove, the cleaning has never yielded a significant quantity of debris from the chimney. I used to clean my own, but having it done professionally gives me proof that it has been done. A cleaner from Penticton books 2 or 3 days in June or July to come up and do chimneys here.
Chimney Placement
The closer to the peak your chimney is, the more efficient the draft, and less problems with snow dislodging the chimney.
Fire - Three times in 58 years, 4 if you count the outhouse................
I recall 3 occasions in 58 years when there was a cabin fire related to a wood burning fire appliance or chimney.
- The first one I think was in the '70's before we had running water. Friends were staying in a colleague's cabin, and the floor started to smoulder due to insufficient fireproof barrier under a wood burning heater.
- The legendary one was probably in the '80's - ceiling/roof caught fire from heat of chimney - GW loved to tell the story of what neighbour M was and wasn't wearing when she ran for help.
- Family and friends of mine were renting a cabin, and were following the shut down instructions which included putting the ashes in the outhouse. Only problem was that the ashes were not cold.
- I don't have details to post on the most recent, as I have not spoken to the owners. Several community members, including the guys "authorized" to turn on hydrants were not far away. There is smoke, water damage, and presumably damage to wood in the vicinity of the wood burning/chimney area.
- The above posts with suggestions are general in nature, and not based on any info on the most recent incident.
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Have you purchased property or a dwelling at Baldy since December 2023?
If you haven't already received a welcome package, contact the BMCA. baldymtnca@gmail.com
Those who attended the December welcome gathering should have received a gift bag of goodies.
Baldy Mountain Community Association Update
The BMCA has decided this year not to ask for
membership fees from owners at the mountain. Instead we are happy to take
donations and will use them this year to map, mark and develop trails on the
Sugar lump side of the mountain. Donate by etransfer to baldymtnca@gmail.com. All funds this
year are earmarked for trails.
Did you know that you can donate your cans and bottles to the BMCA when you take them to Return-it Express? Anywhere in BC you can take your bottle and can returns in, use the phone number 2504982972, it will then have Hilary's name on the screen. This is because you need an individual to "sponsor" a non profit association. Even though it says my name the bottle refunds are credited to the BMCA. These returns allow us to pay for costs such as Directors and Officers Insurance and other costs that we cannot get grants for. Any extra funds are used for community projects.
Monday, February 16, 2026
3km Baldy Road - can hardly stand up
Hold off going down Baldy Road toward Hwy 3. Km3 is icy - 3 vehicles went into the ditch when a tow truck started to do the recovery of a roll over. Sanding truck apparently on the way.
Truck pulling a travel trailer slid down the road backwards and jack-knifed - attempt to sort it out will not be made until there is sand/gravel on the road there.
Sunday, February 15, 2026
FB Photo Vancouver Ski Team, 1975
Friday, February 13, 2026
Snowboard Events Next Weekend
Hey Baldy!!
Under the fresh stuff
It is snowing. Just a heads up, under the fresh snow there are some icy patches where driveways melted this week and poured on to the roads. Be careful. Below Tin Horn Lodge, below Miller/Bennet etc.
The older the Baldy Community Gets, the more sad news to post...........
As an unofficial Baldy Historian with many Baldy Oldtimers who read the blog, I have more obituaries to post.
Last Friday night, I was in conversation with a woman who had recently read the Baldy 25th Anniversary book. One of the items she mentioned was a home birth at Baldy. I had no idea that two days later, the woman who gave birth at Baldy would pass away. Jude and I were the same age.
Jude
Radies of Penticton, BC, beloved mother of Selena, Salish (Brian), and Craig
(Brittney), and cherished Oma to Lydia and Kendrick, passed away suddenly at
the age of 69.
Born
in Oliver, BC in 1956, Jude was a true free spirit who loved all animals and
spent her childhood playing in the creek. A devoted lover of nature, she was an
avid gardener and orchardist.
She
travelled the world as a professional figure skater and later created and
operated “Chapati Haven,” a beloved food bus that brought her cooking and
baking to music festivals and fairs before she eventually settled at Mt. Baldy
and then Penticton.
In 1987, Jude founded Just Pies, supplying local
businesses and campgrounds with homemade pies enjoyed by both locals and
tourists. As the business grew to include Serious Breads, her son Craig joined
her, and for the past 18 years they worked side by side with their products
eventually reaching as far as Fiji and Western Europe.
Jude
created an amazing life for her children and shared her passion for travel with
them, visiting the Netherlands, Germany, and Greece with Selena; China, Hong
Kong, and Thailand with Salish and Brian; and New York. Most recently, she
returned to her paradise in Isla Mujeres, a place she was able to enjoy with
everyone she loved.
Jude
was widely described as one of the strongest and kindest people anyone had ever
known. She always took the time to speak with others, whether she knew them or
not, and made sure they felt truly heard and would remember the littlest
details.
She
will be deeply missed by her mother, Ruth; her sisters Patricia (Bob) Reece,
Colleen (Grant) Gale, and Carol-Anne (Barry) Rubner; her brothers-in-law Marc
Fenwick-Wilson and Michael Fenwick-Wilson; sisters-in-law Sylvia
Fenwick-Wilson, Noni Fenwick-Wilson (Stirling Fraser) and her former Spouse
Graeme Fenwick-Wilson; as well as her many nieces and nephews on both sides of
the family. Jude was predeceased by her father, Alvin Radies; her stepfather,
Gyula; her brother-in-law, Bob; and her grandchildren, Maverick and Enya.
Friends and family are invited to pay their respects at a casual
viewing from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on February 13, 2026, at Kettle Valley
Memorial. A celebration of life will be held at Just Pies in the spring, when
the cherry blossoms are in bloom. Further details will be shared at a later
date.
AREA E Town Hall
ITS TOWN HALL MEETING TIME!
Explore the proposed 2026 Budget and 2026–2030 Five-Year Financial Plan.
Meet Sharen Gibbs Regional Director & RDKB staff, find out how the RDKB
operates, what your tax dollars fund and learn more about your programs and
services.
There will be door prizes too. See you there!
In the meantime, you can find out more and ask the RDKB team a question on its
town hall page:
https://jointheconversation.rdkb.com/2026-town-hall-meetings
Thursday, February 12, 2026
New Coffee and Food Service Option
Come experience our new food outlet for the first 25 customers on Saturday will get a discount on their next meal in the cafe or bar.