Local dignitaries posed with Fred Johnston (third from left) when he re-opened Mount Baldy last January under an agreement that allowed him to operate the resort before it could be purchased. (Richard McGuire file photo)
Season passes are going on sale shortly for skiing this season at the Mount Baldy Ski Resort, even though a sale agreement is not yet complete.
Fred Johnston, president of Baldy Capital Corporation, said he hopes “within days” to have an agreement that would allow his company to use the site and equipment on the same basis as last season until a sale can be completed.
“It’s an agreement to give us access to the site and the equipment on an interim basis while it is in the hands of the receiver so we can get the work done,” said Johnston.
Johnston said maintenance work on the hills would begin as soon as an interim agreement is reached. His company plans to operate all the lifts this season.
The receiver, G. Powroznik Group Inc., headed by Vancouver-based Gary Powroznik, has not yet commented on negotiations with Baldy Capital Corporation, except to say in September that an earlier offer by the would-be purchaser was not acceptable.
The resort is scheduled to reopen on Dec. 18 and Johnston hopes the sale can be completed by that time.
Any sale is contingent on approval by the receiver, major secured creditors and the court.
Mount Baldy was closed for the 2013-14 season after its previous owners ran into financial difficulties.
Baldy Capital Corporation reopened the ski hills in January 2015 under an agreement that gave them access to the resort and equipment until a purchase agreement could be reached.
Johnston said there has been confusion and speculation about whether the lack of a purchase agreement would prevent the hill from opening this season.
“Obviously we want to get the deal done,” he said. “But as you recall last year, we didn’t have a deal and were still able to open the hill.”
Prices for passes are posted on the website www.skibaldy.com.
They range from $10 for a half-day junior pass to $499 for an adult season pass.
Lift tickets will be available online and at a new ticket office in Osoyoos within a few days, the company said on its website.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
