DAY TRIP Mt. Baldy Ski Resort

Mt. Baldy has a history of skiing dating back to World War II, when the area was first developed for commercial skiing. Herb Leffler and Jim Chaffee would occasionally run into each other while skiing at the few Southern California areas available at that time.

Herb and Jim eventually decided they wanted to create their own rope tow. After receiving permission from the U.S. Forest Service, they chose Mt. Baldy — which was known as Camp Baldy — as their new skiing home.

Years went by with Herb and Jim adding rope tows for more people to use and keeping their humble engine running.

Local skiing enthusiasts, schools and others frequented the mountain, which featured local teens who worked in exchange for free skiing but also offered professional ski instructors and patrol.

In the early 1950s, Herb and Jim were given the opportunity to expand the mountain and eventually sold it to Southern Skis Ski Club.

The runs now reach to heights of 8,500 feet in comparison to its humble beginnings, when it was about 6,500 feet, where the base of the resort now rests.

The mountain offers runs for the novice to the expert and has instruction on the slopes for those beginning skiers and snowboarders at a site closer than Big Bear Mountain and Mountain High.

GETTING THERE

Take the 55 Freeway north to the 5 Freeway north toward Los Angeles. Exit onto the 57 Freeway north toward Pomona for about 25 miles. Take the 210 Freeway east toward San Bernardino and exit at Baseline Road.

Turn left at Baseline then right at Padua Avenue. Turn right at Mt. Baldy Road and later a left to remain on the road. Follow Mt. Baldy road until you reach the resort.

HOURS

Mt. Baldy is open for skiing and snowboarding from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Tubing is also available during those times.

TICKETS

Tickets for adults are: $49 for an all-day pass, $59 for holidays and peak weekends, $39 for half-day and $49 for half day on peak weekends and holidays.

Tickets for those 13 to 17 years old are: $39 for all day, $49 for peak weekends and holidays, $29 for half-day and $39 for half-day on holidays and peak weekends.

Tickets for children 6 to 12 years old are: $19 for all day, $29 for holidays and peak weekends, $14 for half day and $24 for a half day on peak weekends and holidays.

Tickets for seniors 65 and older are: $24 for all day, $34 for peak weekends and holidays, $19 for half-day and $29 for half day on peak weekends and holidays.

Children younger than 6 get in free with a paying adult.

SNOW REPORT

The resort reports having a 30-to-60 inch base with strong coverage of the mountain. The weather report calls for snow through the end of the week which could make for even better conditions, but travelers should check road conditions before leaving.

THE SLOPES

Mt. Baldy’s resort features 26 trails and runs ranging from easy to double black diamonds — which are expert-only trails. There are four easy runs, eight intermediate, eight difficult and six expert.

— Daniel Tedford