Gail Scott, the managing director at Destination Osoyoos, is disappointed that negotiations for Baldy Capital Corporation to purchase Mount Baldy fell through, but she says Osoyoos has great potential for winter tourism anyway. (Richard McGuire file photo)
Osoyoos offers excellent potential as a winter destination, whether Mount Baldy Ski Resort opens or not, says Gail Scott, managing director at Destination Osoyoos.
Scott, who is in charge of tourism marketing and economic development, nonetheless said she was “very disappointed” to learn recently that negotiations with Baldy Capital Corporation to purchase the winter resort had fallen through.
Scott said she was especially disappointed because Fred Johnston, president of Baldy Capital Corporation, was easy to work with and because if Mount Baldy doesn’t open this season, it would leave Osoyoos without a “ski product” to attract tourism.
Last week Gary Powroznik of G-Force Group, the receiver for the bankrupt resort, said he couldn’t comment on the status of any discussions that might be taking place with other potential buyers.
The current insurance policy at the resort expires at the end of November.
Scott said a re-opening of Mount Baldy Ski Resort would provide a number of economic spinoffs to Osoyoos.
The resort was closed for the 2013-14 ski season after its previous owners ran into financial problems.
Johnston’s company re-opened Mount Baldy last January under an agreement that allowed them to operate it before a purchase could be finalized and the courts could approve the sale.
The loss of economic spinoffs with the re-opening now in doubt is especially disappointing, Scott said.
“It meant there is a loss of some jobs that people were actually being called in to fill,” she said. “They were being offered jobs back at Mount Baldy and they were excited about it. So the spinoffs are job creation, even though it is seasonal.”
Another spinoff is the opportunity to package Mount Baldy with hotels for short- and longer-stay accommodation, possibly involving wine touring and farm-to-table culinary experiences, Scott said.
She had also discussed with Johnston other opportunities for entertainment and events connected to the resort.
Scott also sees potential for other activities connected to the resort such as mountain biking, which could help to extend the season for the resort.
She points to the example of Fernie, B.C., where she previously was involved in economic development, which has grown into a year-round resort.
“It’s a matter of getting the right purchaser with the right amount of money, that can work with the community and have community support,” she said. “Yes, those sorts of things can happen.”
Scott also believes that if Mount Baldy gets up and running, there are opportunities to work with McKinney Nordic Ski Club to promote the potential for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the area.
But whether or not Mount Baldy re-opens, Scott believes more can be done to promote Osoyoos as a winter destination.
“Looking at our geographic area, being a pocket desert and looking at our climate, we can offer up winter hiking,” she said. “You don’t have to wear heavy clothes. You can see the snow in the mountains and yet you’re not terribly cold.”
Bird watching, stargazing and fishing are other activities that can be done year round, she said. And because Osoyoos Lake doesn’t freeze over, there are opportunities for canoeing and kayaking on some of the beautiful winter days.
Plus, with the golf course often open in January, there is a chance for golfers from other parts of the country to get an early start on their season.
“So I think we do have some (winter) product,” Scott said. “We just have to put it together in a nice package and start promoting it and creating awareness that these are the sorts of things you can do here in Osoyoos during the wintertime.”
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
