Mount Baldy Ski Lifts facts for kids
Mount Baldy Ski Lifts, also known as "Baldy," is a fun place to ski! It's a ski resort located on Mount San Antonio, which is part of the San Gabriel Mountains in Southern California. You can find it in San Bernardino County. Baldy is about 45 miles from Los Angeles, making it the closest ski resort to the city.
Quick facts for kids Mt Baldy Ski Lifts |
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Ski lift from parking area on a snowy day
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 Mt Baldy Ski Lifts
Location in California
Mt Baldy Ski Lifts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Mount San Antonio and Telegraph Peak |
| Nearest city | Mount Baldy, California |
| Coordinates | 34°16′N 117°37′W / 34.27°N 117.62°W |
| Vertical | 2,100 ft (640 m) |
| Top elevation | 8,600 ft (2,600 m) |
| Base elevation | 6,500 ft (2,000 m) |
| Skiable area | 800 acres (320 ha) |
| Runs | 26 total 15% beginner 31% intermediate 54% advanced |
| Longest run | 2.5 mi (4.0 km) |
| Lift system | 4 |
| Snowfall | 170 in (430 cm) |
| Snowmaking | Yes |
| Night skiing | None |
| Website | mtbaldyresort.com |
Contents
A Look at Baldy's Past
Ski lifts were first put in place at Mount Baldy in 1952. A company called Harwood Developments built these original lifts. Herbert Leffler managed the resort from 1953 until 1969. After he retired, a new group bought the resort.
Exploring the Ski Area
Mount Baldy has many types of ski runs. You can find regular trails, wide-open areas called bowls, steep chutes, and fun runs through trees. The resort says it is the "largest and steepest resort in Southern California."
There are 26 runs spread across three mountains. The highest point you can ski from is 8,600 feet up! Baldy covers 800 acres of land. The vertical drop, which is the difference between the highest and lowest points you can ski, is 2,100 feet.
Snow Conditions at Baldy
The ski area faces different directions. Some parts face south or southwest, while others face north. The areas served by Chair 3, for example, face north. This means the snow stays good for longer there.
Other parts, like the steep areas near Chair 1 and Chair 4, face west and south. This can lead to "spring conditions" often, where the snow gets soft. The amount of snow Mount Baldy gets each year can change a lot. Some years, there isn't enough snow to open for long. Other years, especially during certain El Niño events, there can be many feet of snow! This allows for great skiing all over the mountain.
How the Lifts Work
The first ski chairs, Chairs #1 and #3, were built in 1952. They had special double chairs that could swivel. This allowed skiers to stand up easily when getting off. However, this design had some problems, and the company that made them closed down a few years later.
In 1975, a Swiss company named GMD Mueller updated the old lifts. They used the original towers but put in new parts. This company also built Chairs #2 and #4, which are still used today.
Gallery
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Chair #4 at Mt. Baldy
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Skiing overlooking Los Angeles
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Skiing at Mt. Baldy
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Skiers at Mt. Baldy
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The base of Chair #2 at Mt. Baldy with Thunder Mountain in the background
