In an unexpected move, the Mt. Baldy ski area in Southern California re-opened for skiing and riding today, with numerous COVID restrictions in place. According to internet lore, the impetus for re-openings was the re-opening of golf courses in San Berandino County. If golfing is okay, why not skiing? That would serve to explain some of the restrictions.
Unless you are a season pass holder, you must reserve a “tee time” for your lift ticket, just as in golf. Only 4 skiers/riders are checked in every ten minutes. Those without a reservation will be turned away. Other restrictions include:
- Face mask or other coverings are required
- You must park no closer than 20 feet from any other vehicle and wait in your car until your scheduled check-in time.
- Only double chairs exist at the area. Skiers and riders are encouraged to ride by themselves or only with those whom they are in quarantine with already.
- Food service is not available, other than an occasional pop-up at the bottom of a chairlift.
- Rentals and lessons are not available
- Skiers and riders are being asked to know their limits and enjoy the mountain in a way that will minimize the need of a rescue.
The photos I have seen from today show that things did not look too crowded. I expect that will change as word starts to get out. We are in no way suggesting the possibility that anyone travel to Southern California for a ski trip, even if only a day trip. We’re still under a “stay at home” order in California, so traveling 525 miles southward to slide on snow is definitely not anywhere close to staying home.
We’re bringing attention this re-opening only to wonder if there’s a possibility we could see someone re-open in Northern California while their mountain is still skiable.
Vail Resorts told KCRA today that they have no plans to reopen. We wouldn’t expect either Vail Resorts or any of the Ikon destinations to try a limited re-opening scheme. The problem is that they have both sold a megajillion passes, and any opening would be likely to create a tsunami of visitors to the area. The exception to that would be a very late opening of Squaw and/or Mammoth, possibly for the 4th of July? That said, in Tahoe, we did not have a big snow year to really make that possible.
That leaves the smaller mountains as the only real possibility of having a limited reopening. Donner Ski Ranch? Boreal? Soda Springs? The lower elevation independents are already into mud season. Your thoughts?
Nuts.
I would never drive down; too far for not enough. I am staying “around” home, as I have not drank all of the Kool-aid to stay “AT” home. I think it would be a disaster to open any of our areas, since there would be an onslaught from the bay. We need to be respectful to others and keep our physical distancing, but lets not allow “them” to dictate our lives.
Come on, people, just stay at home! We are nowhere near close to being out of the woods. People are still dying in horrific numbers. Also, even if there were snow available to ski on the 4th of July at Alpine or Squaw, that day has been incredibly crowded the 3 times I’ve skied it.
An Alpine Ikon Pass Holder & Physician
Yup
Gas is cheap Mark, time for a road trip.