California – Folks could not contemplate Los Angeles as a terrific place to be a ski bum, however there are numerous choices for people who reside across the space. If you’d like a shorter day journey, you possibly can head to Massive Bear, Mountain Excessive, and Mt. Baldy. You possibly can go to Mammoth for a weekend journey, both by automotive or aircraft. The closest ski space is Mt. Waterman, located round an hour away from downtown LA. Nonetheless, not many individuals learn about it.
This week, it was introduced that Angeles Mountain Companions LLC (“AMP”) has acquired Mt. Waterman Alpine Lifts. In recent times, Mt. Waterman has had an inconsistent working schedule. It reopened for the first time since 2020 this previous winter however solely operated on a restricted foundation for the 2023-24 season. Earlier this yr, Pacific West Enterprise Properties put the SoCal ski area in the marketplace for $2.275 million.
Their new management crew has 35+ years of resort growth and snowmaking operations. Right here’s what Joshua Shelton, co-founder of AMP, instructed us about his background:
“I grew up lower than an hour away, boarding most of my life, and I don’t suppose anybody I do know has ever visited the forest on this space. When you do, you understand it’s superior, and we’re excited to make a bunch of enhancements (like snowmaking) that may permit us to finest serve the general public by the winter season.”
The brand new possession group has important plans for the ski resort. Deliberate initiatives embody a brand new snowmaking system, a tubing hill serviced by a magic carpet, a brand new particular occasions venue, a glamping village, new eating choices, an upgraded warming hut, clubhouse buildings, a terrain park, and a mountain biking park. In the end, this new possession group intends to make this place a year-round vacation spot.
A few of these initiatives have already been authorized and may be carried out as quickly as attainable, just like the tubing hill, mountain biking park, particular occasions, and enhancements to the warming hut and clubhouse. Different initiatives (snowmaking, glamping, ropes course, and zipline) have acquired preliminary approval however may have secondary approvals. Lengthy-term initiatives like an amphitheater, lodge/lodge, and new lifts would wish to undergo the U.S. Forest Service approval course of.
This might be a public ski resort, however there might be a membership program that comes with some main perks. The Waterman 100 is a restricted membership program that comes with perks like unique entry on powder days, helipad entry, and backcountry snowcat entry. When the roads are closed through the aftermath of heavy main snow storms, the helipad will permit these members to achieve Waterman for these bluebird powder days.
“This can be a particular place, and most of the people my age (43) aren’t conscious this space of LA exists. It’s a Nationwide Forest, and solely an hour from the warming hut to sitting on the Dodger sport. Go Blue!” mentioned Joshua Shelton, Co-Founding father of AMP. “We will’t management the climate, however we are able to handle how many individuals achieve entry to the best possible circumstances our resort must supply, and that’s an honor we reserve for the Waterman100.”
Many questions stay about how the most recent chapter in Waterman’s historical past will unfold, however it’s good to see a brand new possession group investing in it.
Picture/Video Credit: Mt. Waterman Mountain Resort
