Best mountain in SoCal..if there's snow. All off-piste trees and steeps, and a very accessible back bowl/country. Waaay more than Big Bear and Summit. If you want to pretend you drove all the way to Mammoth and are riding chair 9 or 14, here you go. Only an hour away from LA too. Just make sure there is actual snow as they don't have $ to maintain or really make any snow (2-3 guns total).
If the snow at the other So. Cal. ski resorts is good/great, Mt Baldy is by far the best mt. in So. Cal. for advanced ski & snowboarders. #1 So. Cal. mt. without a doubt when the snow is good...otherwise don't go here.
December 04, 2009
Thomas Brudos
from
USA - California
Mount Baldy has a mom and pop feel with antiquated SLOW chairs and some of the best adventure skiing around. NOT for gapers or those not accustomed to skiing competently in ALL conditions. BUT it's steep and has outstanding tree skiing and long fall line runs when conditions are good. When conditions are sketchy, expect icy, scoured, scary slopes with rocks and stumps. Many people get hurt here. The lift-served portion of the mountain exceeds over 8000 ft elevation and lies only 50 miles from the Pacific Ocean at Santa Monica beach. Snowfall at Mount Baldy is erratic and variable. Thunder snow and hail are common. But the mountain can receive several feet of smooth powder in one storm cycle, and if skied under those conditions the steep treed slopes and great vibe make for a big day.