For the advanced skier it's the best So-Cal has to offer. That assumes that the area gets some snow. If the snow is good, it's the best, because the terrain is awesome.The 2.5 miles to the parking lot is real, I mapped it out.But remember it has to be a really good snow year.

Great prices for the family, but most of the runs are advanced, so if your looking for cruising runs, go to Bear Mountain. Oh yeah, don't count on the "top of the hill" lift operators to help you, they expect that you know how to get on a lift. Besides they are dreaming about something else (I just can't figure-out what).

Hint: The chair lifts are vintage, so watch what chair you get on. And I think the broken down CAT is a permanent decorative fixture now.

Après-ski? What's that? Not here! The only thing you have is the parking lot and the drive home... Remember this place is to ski (or board)... Not pretending that you where skiing, with a beer in your hand!

JohnSki

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I love this mountain! I was up, yet again, on 3/1/08 and skied about 20 runs for the whole day. Yes, the grub is expensive ($13.65 for a cheeseburger/fries and a PowerAid) but tastes great. The lockers are $2 per day with in-out at no charge during the day. I've been there so often the rental shop guys know me and turned me on to the best place to stay when I head up to Mammoth next month! Have taken a couple of lessons there - hint, go on a weekday, early. Scope out the lessons and you may be able to get a "private" for the group price if you talk to the ski school for the noon lessons. I did, and was well worth taking a Wed. off work! The ski school instructors are the best - I took a lesson at Mt. High and hated it, these people are much better. OK, they don't make snow, and you have the old lifts (quaint) to deal with (did I hear someone say "pinching"?) and the place is melting, melting.... but I'm always on the edge of my abilities as I move around the mountain. It is so worth the 1.5 hr drive from Orange, CA! Another hint - go to Snow Jam next year and look for the Mt. Baldy booth. This past Snow Jam in Del Mar, their booth was selling a packet of tickets for approx. $65 that was worth $450 - YES!! - I bought it and it has been the best deal I have made on any mountain this year. Can you handle 4 adult anytime tickets, 2 lesson tickets, 2 adult mid-week tickets and 4 buy one lift, get one lift (2 or 1) free tickets? This is where I truely learned to ski and love the place, fewer crowds, get there early and good parking, don't have to use chains to get there (booo Snow Summit), just have a grand time. I totally recommend this mountain to everyone who will listen.

I went a few days after the big storm. It started warming up I think temps were in the 50's. I had one of the best sessions Ive ever had skiing in socal. The snow was loosening up just right and you could carve into any part of the hill. I did some off trail through the trees and skied to the parking lot it was really good. I didnt hit ice all day. Ill for sure come back just got to time the right day to come. Its not the family park. It lacks easy terrain. Theres no Apres ski. I paid $6 for a monster energy drink just to give you an idea. It has really good downhill runs. The lifts are old and slow.

I boarded at Mt. Baldy over the weekend when it was about 56 degrees. It was too hot and the snow was either slushy or had already turned to ice. Had the weather been better, I'm sure I would have had a better time. The upsides of Mt. Baldy: (1) The runs are longer and steeper; (2) its less crowded than Mt. High and Snow Summit -- my friends and I were able to knock out 15 runs in a matter of four hours, while on a busy day at Mt. High or Summit, it would take an entire day to do as many; and (3) the drive is much closer. The downsides of Mt. Baldy: (1) old, uncomfortable lifts; (2) the lift operators don't pay attention; and (3) the parking lot gets crowded with sightseers/tubers.

This is a rustic ski resort. I agree with previous reviews about old, slow and uncomfortable ski lifts. Certain terrains are rocky and spotted with grass patches. They are hardly groomed. The amenities in this resort are bare minimum. The staff is courteous but do not expect them to do more than watching the lifts. They expect you to already know how to get on and off the lifts. The roads to the resort are not well-maintained, pot holes all over in the parking area. This resort is not for non-serious skiers. Go at your own risk.