Mount Baldy is slated to open on December 18.
Richard McGuire file photo
The company operating Mount Baldy Ski Resort announced last week that it is preparing to open for the entire 2015-16 ski season.
Baldy Capital Corporation issued a news release on Friday saying that maintenance for all lifts, including the Eagle Chair, is scheduled to begin this month and that seasons passes are scheduled to go on sale as of Oct. 21. The resort opening is scheduled for Dec. 18.
Despite the announcement, Fred Johnston, president of Baldy Capital Corporation, acknowledged that an agreement with the receiver, G. Powroznik Group Inc., has not yet been completed.
The previous owners of the resort became insolvent, forcing the resort into bankruptcy and closing it for the 2013-14 ski season.
Last year, it was opened after Christmas by Baldy Capital Corporation, a company that intended to buy it once the bankruptcy process was completed.
Asked about an agreement with the receiver, Johnston said: “I won’t comment on that in any detail. All I will say is that we do have to complete documentation of our agreement and get court approval.”
Asked if last week’s announcement meant he was confident enough that the agreement will be finalized, Johnston replied: “I think that should speak for itself.”
The receiver, Gary Powroznik of G-Force Group, did not wish to add additional comment when contacted by email. A news release issued Sept 22 still applied, he said.
That news release said an offer from Baldy Operating Corporation and its affiliate Baldy Capital Corporation “was not acceptable to the primary secured creditor or the receiver.”
Johnston said his company expected to incur a loss last year due to the shortened season and late start to selling passes, but in fact the loss was lower than anticipated.
This year could also see a loss, he said.
“It’s disappointing to have to start it at this late date,” he said. “Had we started in June or July to prepare for the season, we were optimistic that we could approach break even. At this point, that will be a challenge. So we’re hoping for the best, but we’re preparing for the worst.”
Snowfall this season and the success of the company’s marketing will also be factors, he said.
Johnston could not give an exact date when pass prices will be announced, but he said it will likely be this week or early next week.
“All I can tell you is that they’ll be very reasonable compared to any other mountain in the vicinity,” he said.
They will not be as low as last year’s steeply discounted prices, because last year’s prices were based on a late opening after Christmas and with only one chair in operation, he said.
Mount Baldy opened in 1968 and consists of 35 downhill skiing trails. The hill is unique as the associated village of 150 ski cottages are ski-in ski-out. The village also has one cafeteria and one bar. Over the last few seasons the food has been great, in part because young chefs who are working at the wineries in the summer have been running the kitchen at Mount Baldy in the winter.
There is a ski school, day-lodge and lounge, ski equipment and snowshoe rentals.
By Richard McGuire
