1-800-randal

Finding the driveway.

Baldy Racers 2012

Thank you Grant Stevely from the Baldy Ski Patrol for technical assistance in adding 8 racers to the team photo with photo shop.

Good Things Come To Those Who Wait

The weather changed rapidly today - an early afternoon pelting snow squall that dumped 5 cms in a short time, followed by sunshine. South Ridge was great.

Richard, Heather, Elizabeth

Friday

Not what I expected, but some great skiing out there. No indications at my place, but on the mountain the big dump has set up, leaving us to ski the top 8 to 10cms. Sweet turns - Mike and Gerald made the first 8 tracks down Pondo - lots of people on South Ridge, and the groomers are fun.

Mother Nature threw a curve ball at operations staff with icing on the upper towers causing a delay in opening the Eagle Chair this morning.

So much for moving the truck on to the street at lunch.

Brief moment of sun before it started to snow again.

Deep

Last season was one of Baldy's biggest snow years. We are starting to creep up toward last year's levels. The top of Eagle snow measuring stick was completely buried last year - today it looks like maybe a foot left to go before it is hidden.

Around the cabin I can no longer shovel up from the steps, the snowblower is at it's limit for blowing up high, and the levels outside the side windows are approaching those of last year.

On my street - above ground basements in the front - much of second floor next door disappearing from view.

Not much left to see next door - other side.

Cellartek Winemakers Cup 2012 - A Paul Cotton Production

Start Planning for Friday

OK - so you are missing the Big POW today....start planning for Friday - I'll give you an update this afternoon and tonight- it is snowing hard - should be great Friday too.

Have Fun Baldy K Racers

Have fun racing in Revelstoke Baldy K Racers. We'll miss you!! Send me some photos when you get home.

Fastest Skier - Winemaker's Cup

 Baldy Racer Dad - Tomek Koczij
Fastest Skier - Winemaker's Cup

More Bare Essentials

http://vimeo.com/38549540

more Bare Essentials from Pentagon

POW!

Wednesday afternoon

Wednesday 5:00pm  minus1C in the village.
26 cms new since Monday. Snowing
I like the feel of the snow, the look of the new stuff coming down, the snow forecast for tonight in to tomorrow.

After All These Years..............

John still loves to play in the snow bank. Now it's with his kids - not with Shelley Day.

50,000

The site meter will roll over 50,000 today - I didn't predict that at the start of the season, and even a couple of weeks ago I didn't think we'd hit that number. You keep reading - I'll keep posting.
Check back after the season for updates.

Powder Clothes - Beach Clothes

Prepare for Powder Thursday, and Friday, and..........26cms so far and snowing. P&H Costume for Saturday night with Long John Baldy, and Beachwear for Sunday.

Don't forget to bring cardboard, duct tape and paint for your Cardboard Box Race entry, and extra towels and blankets to warm you after the slush cup.

Facebook Users

The older Mt Baldy Facebook pages are being phased out, and the new site for all the info from Mt. Baldy is "Ski Baldy". "Like" the Ski Baldy page to get the updates from the mountain as they are posted.

Only one thing to remember - ski baldy
www.skibaldy.com
ski baldy on facebook
this blog www.skibaldy.blogspot.com
twitter SkiBaldy@MtBaldyBC

Good Morning Gramma Joan!

Just because you spent more time in Summerland than at Baldy this winter doesn't mean you can escape the blog.

More Ladies Day

Thanks to Barb P. for these photos from today.

Way to go Barb C. - The ladies ran some gates today.

A little hard to see, but "Baldy Babes" is written in the snow.

Thanks Hil - Why didn't I think of that - they were hugging trees!

Lunch Rock

Wayne is hoping for a lunch rock weekend, and has requested that a path be packed to the rock from South Ridge Trail. The forecast at the moment looks like it may be cool next weekend.

I have taken many photos at the "Lunch Rock" over the years. This one is of my family - nephews and niece are now 24, 25, and 26, so this photo is an old one.

There was a large crowd that day - the spots in front of the actual rock were already taken.
Photo dating - just noticed that the skis I had were my Rossi 7S - after those were my Volants, and 4 pair of Atomics.

Winding Down

A sad time for me as the season winds down - last Ladies Day today, Cardboard Box Race on Saturday, and Slush Cup Sunday. The skiing was OK today, but not as good as Sunday. It has started to snow, and the forecast is looking good for Thursday.

One last party Saturday night with Long John Baldy. The theme is P & H. If you don't know what that is, a local will tell you.

LJB's Hilary has a birthday this week - treat her kindly on the weekend - she will be as old as me.

Hilary  - looks good - have you told your boys you are ready to be a Grandma?

Last Ladies Day of the Season

Snowshoe Ladies met up with the Skier Ladies on Fairweather

Water Bottles for the Baldy Babes

Maui Ski Bus

Quiet Sunday

With the staggered Spring Breaks across the Province, some of the families left today to go back to school tomorrow. The mountain is noticeably quieter today, and the skiing is awesome. Favourite of the morning has to be Powderkeg.

One more week of Spring Break for the local students, and Baldy is open Thursday through Sunday to wrap up Spring Break.

"Baldy Family" from Oroville, Grand Cache, Lower Mainland, Victoria and Oliver

GS Training on Ponderosa - Baldy Racer Families worked on Summer Grooming of this run.

Coach and Parents in deep discussion at finish area of training run.

Baldy Family

Thanks Kevin for letting my Fairweather cousin and I get that extra run and help with the sweep. We used to help with sweep in the 70's.

Hiding in the bushes?? We swept the South Ridge, and were standing at the bottom of Dividend with the patroller who swept Dividend, when a snowboarder came down after us on the trail, and a skier came down Dividend. Where were they hiding when we went by??

FYI - "The Witch is in."
The "Witch" has nothing to do with the "sweep".
If you don't know what this means, you probably don't need to know.....

The View - the Winery, Not the TV Show

The View Winery team put on an impressive showing in the Winemaker's Cup race this morning. I caught up with the team at the top of Eaglechair after the race.

The "Media" was present to collect footage for the video presentation at the banquet tonight.

Sunday Fun Race

Check at the lodge or SSC for details on Sunday's dual course fun race. Will Johnny Web challenge Anne? How about those Windover brothers?

Sunshine Friday - Kids of Baldy

Agatka, Heather, Nils,Ella
Heather's chin guard is a different style - distorts her smile on the photo a bit.

Baldy racers had couple of "guests" training with them today on Ponderosa. Heather from Mt. Washington Ski Club, and Ella competing with the Apex Ski Club. They are all really "kids of Baldy" - Mt. Washington is closer to where Heather lives, but she comes to Granny and Grandad's cabin on holidays. Ella recently travelled to Japan to race, and we are happy to see her back at Baldy.

Our K racers will be competing at Revelstoke next weekend.

There is also a group of kids skiing together who are children of newer Baldy families, and grandchildren from long time Baldy families. It looked like they were having a great time today.

Awesome Thursday

If you weren't here, you missed an awesome day. My fun was all on the Magic Carpet, but my friends tell me the powder was much deeper up top than in the village, and it was a great day in the sunshine.

My ski buddy for the day - Max from Maple Ridge.

Baldy Racer Christian did an awesome job coaching his Mom.

K1 Provincials

Hi Baldy Racers - I just checked out the results for the K1 Provincials at Big White last weekend. I know you like gold, but I see some good results there - we're proud of you. If you have a photo or story to share, please e-mail me at unbaldy@gmail.com  see you on the slopes.

Avalanche in North Bowl, Mt. Baldy Oliver B.C.

Here is another video - showing why it is wise to stay away from the North Bowl

View of part of the slide area - taken last August.

Pond Skim Slush Event 2011

Cardboard and Duct Tape

Have you thought about your entry in the March 31st cardboard box race?? Maybe a good idea to bring some cardboard and duct tape to your cabin this weekend and work on your entry. Only two weekends left of the season. Five days this week - March 22,23,24,25,26, and four days next weekend, March 29,30,31 and April 1st.

April 1st is the pond skim/slush event. Costumes are fun, and don't forget towels and blankets with your support team at the finish.

Wine Maker's Cup

The Wine Maker's Cup is Saturday with some serious, and some not so serious racers. Always a fun event to watch. It is all about racing at the mountain, and all about wine at the banquet in town.

"Baldy Babe's Trail"

If you are a Ladies Day regular, chances are you have a "Baldy Babes" bandana. Only one more Ladies Day to go - don't miss the last one.The Ladies met recently to officially open and toast the "Baldy Babes Trail"

 

Before or after the champagne??

Darlene and Roberta cut the ribbon at the new sign.

Way to go Wayne!

Congratulations Wayne for making it to the final 3 on Canada's Greatest Know-it-all. You'll always be number one with us.

WOW - What a day!!

The sunshine brought many people out today - the conditions were excellent. You could ski anywhere on the mountain, and the powder was soft even after it was tracked up. Grandparents to babes in arms enjoyed the suns rays. This was one of those days that you can't really forecast, but you feel lucky and happy to have been here at the right time.

If you have ever worked at Baldy, you know the mountain and the snow, and want to come back to ski. I skied with a groomer operator who worked here in the '70's, Swan was here, Owen, Rutka and the boys, and probably lots more.

Great day!

Well the party was at the lodge, but the usual antics were at the "Vortex" on Sunday. Passers by were judged on their jumps, with marks awarded from .08 to 11 out of 10

BACK COUNTRY WARNING

An avalanche was reported in the North Bowl today - an area accessible from the top of Baldy, out side of the ski area. There were snowmobiles in the vicinity, and the slide is believed to be man caused. To the best of my knowledge, there were no persons reported missing, and no one was believed to have been caught in the slide.

RCMP and SAR were here, and an avalanche expert  was flown over the slide by helicopter.
(former Baldy staff, "Portman")

The Canadian Avalanche Association had issued a special warning bulletin on Friday, warning of recent heavy snowfalls sitting on layers of concern.

The slide occured on the "east" side of the bowl, with heavy snow still sitting on the "west" side, as well as the cornice area.

Stay safe - stay out of the backcountry in these conditions.

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150624135806448

hope the link works - video from snowmobiler

The Last Stretch

We are down to the last three weekends of the season. Check the schedule on the sidebar. Long John Baldy tonight and the 31st. don't forget Baldy is open the next two Thursdays.

Happy St. Patrick's Day - Go Green

Long John Baldy tonight - the party starts tonight at 7:00 with bring an appy - I gather a green appy is preferred - heard someone talking yesterday about stuffed jalapenos. Not sure what time the music starts, but the festivities start at 7:00 in true "Vortex" style.

Always a good costume Lee

Ken and Eleanor

Winners of Costume Contest

Our special band - Long John Baldy

Baldy doesn't get lineups.....

270 hits on the blog yesterday

Mild - Your Call

Mother Nature gets the last laugh on this one. All that powder, and the temperature went above freezing today. As of 9:00pm the temperature is minus1C, it is snowing, blowing a bit, and there is a crust on the snow at the village elevation. Forecast is for the temp continuing to drop, and snow throughout the night. Big dump in the forecast for Saturday night.

POW

When we were kids, we hoped for so much snow that the road would be closed. It happened once - and we had the hill to ourselves. The snow plow originates at Baldy now, so it doesn't happen anymore.

I once went straight down the Shaft - the snow was so deep we were poling straight down the hill without turning. The ski patrol had quite a time breaking trail on the old Baldy Tee.

Fast forward to Friday - from what I am hearing, I expect a line up when the Eaglechair opens. There is snow in the forecast right through the weekend, with the heaviest amounts today (Thursday) and Saturday. So if I sleep in and let you have first tracks on Friday, I can still get the fresh stuff Sunday morning.

Of course with my local knowledge, I'll still find fresh stuff when you think you have it all trashed on Friday.

We are...........ski baldy

In order to help you find all the Baldy info available on the net, the social media stuff is being converted to the familiar Ski Baldy.

the website   www.skibaldy.com
this blog       www.skibaldy.blogspot.com
facebook       ski baldy

Go to the ski baldy page on facebook and click "like" to get regular updates from Mt. Baldy - the other sites - some of them dormant from other years, will be phased out.

WOW - What are you doing Friday???

A total of 50cms new in the last 26 hours!! 25 during the day yesterday, and another 25cms overnight. And more in the forecast!!

More in the air, and more in the forecast.

Go Green!!

If you have trouble reading this - click and open it on your computer.

Attention Baldy Cabin Owners

I know that many of you don't read the blog after the season is over. I do get information of interest to you during the off season. If you wish to be fully informed, I would recommend that you check the blog weekly, and if you wish to receive a personal e-mail on important issues, please send me your e-mail address if I don't already have it.

unbaldy@gmail.com or my personal address if you have it.

Missing your Skis??

2 pair of skis were found in the parking lot this afternoon - likely a child and parent. Maybe you drove away before you finished loading?? Skis are in the snow sports centre.

Welcome "Home"

Welcome home to Baldy - Russ, Daphne, and former shop boss, Maggie.



Matt, Laird, Russ, Will
These guys can fix anything - Ski Lifts, Snowcats,Dishwashers..

Gordie Mac Band

Good turn out this afternoon for the Gordie Mac Band. Some of those "retro" gals were already in the dancing mood - should be hopping tonight.

Sunday Update:

A good time was had by all - even those who don't quite remember this morning. Thanks Gordie Mac Band for a good time.

Fear not Long John Baldy, you are always number one in our hearts - and we look forward to a fun green time with you next Saturday night - as the legendary "Vortex St. Patrick's Day Party" moves to the lodge this year - bring your dancing shoes and an appetizer.

Retro!!

Lots of fun on the hill today with the retro outfits - great cruising - a few snowflakes, and more on the way for tonight. Thanks to Lee's Treasure Trunk, the staff had fun creating their outfits.

Neighbours - Eleanor and Masako

Kirsten and that Cody fellow has a new outfit every week!

Retro Lift Operations

Lobster Jordan and Maritime Mike - Having Fun

Cool Sky

Pretty sky - 6:00pm Friday