When long-time residents Ernie and Cheryl Dumais were asked about their vacation property, and the fact Baldy Capital Corporation has big plans for the future, they voiced what many residents and ski enthusiasts are thinking these days.

“We were happy to hear the positive announcement regarding Mt. Baldy’s plans for next season,” responded Ernie Dumais.

Their feelings are certainly echoed by many residents on the hill, located about a half hour drive east of Oliver, and 45 minutes northeast of Osoyoos.

After staying closed for the entire 2014/15 winter season, the Mount Baldy Ski Area opened Jan. 16 of this year with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

It was a long time coming, but when Mount Baldy did open for the season, it was the place to be for local skiers, snowboarders, and snow enthusiasts in general.

When the hill officially closed for the season March 22 with the annual Slush Cup event , everyone associated with Mount Baldy could sit back and relax, think about what they accomplished to simply get the hill open for business and ponder what lies ahead.

The excitement over the accomplishment, and the future, is obvious – at least in the mind of the Baldy Capital Corporation.

“Baldy Capital Corporation was thrilled to bring back skiing and snowboarding to Mount Baldy Ski Area and felt the 2014/15 season was a great success,” noted Fred Johnston, President of Baldy Capital Corporation. “While operating with limited terrain this season, the ski hill was blessed with great conditions and the snow held up throughout the season. While many other ski hills were closing early based on the lack of snow, Mount Baldy Ski Area was able to stay open late into March due to the tireless efforts of the Mount Baldy Ski Area’s staff and volunteers.”

Baldy Capital Corporation took on the management of the hill in mid-December and despite staying closed throughout the entire 2013/14 ski season, battled against the odds to get open for snow enthusiasts.

Johnston is adamant the group understood that this year’s operations would not be profitable, but felt it was important to showcase to the local community that the hill was back operating and there was a new commitment to bring affordable skiing to the community.

The ownership group and staff spent this season getting more familiar with the hill and learning from the local community what they would like to see the hill become in the future.

So, what did they find out?

Baldy Capital Corporation quickly learned that there is something very unique about Mount Baldy Ski Area which brings families back year after year.

“We understand that we have a lot of work to accomplish this off season to make sure we are offering a quality experience for the 2015/16 season and beyond,” stated Johnston. “As part of this commitment to improve, Baldy Capital Corporation is also working on plans to have a new day lodge in place for the 2016/17 season. These plans are still in the preliminary stages, but the management team feels it is important to get a new day lodge in place to improve on the overall skier experience.”

Looking forward to next season, Baldy Capital Corporation anticipates all of the skiable terrain to be open and the management team will be working over the summer on some new initiatives.

Future plans include new ski and snowboard rental equipment, hosting of more schools throughout the year and enhancing the Learn to Ski programs and developing new partnerships with local non-profit and charity organizations.

There are also plans on hosting a Stay in School program which would partner at risk youth with local mentors, for a fun day of skiing and mentorship and the opportunity for corporations to book the entire hill during the days the hill is closed to the general public (Monday through Thursday).

This will offer corporations a chance to host their staff, suppliers, and clients for a full day of skiing, with the entire hill at their personal disposal. Ski packages will include lifts tickets, rentals, food and beverage, and a fun and interactive ski race, development of affordable “Ski and Stay” packages in partnership with Baldy’s 12 hotel partners in Oliver and Osoyoos, introduction of a new and affordable food and beverage menu for the cafeteria and bar areas and introduction of a discount ski card in which the purchaser will receive a number of free days on the hill and a substantial discount on lift tickets for the remaining ski visits.

For further information, and to stay up to date, check out: www.skibaldy.com.

DALE CORY

Special to the Times