by Deborah Pfeiffer - Penticton -CASTANET Oct 31, 2013 / 12:30 pm
At at time when local ski areas are readying for the 2013-2014 season, it is quiet at Mount Baldy in Oliver. Mountain manager Matt Koenig says it is related to a financial matter. But he is hopeful the lifts will run this winter. "Normally there is some funding that comes across for the start-up, and there is a bit of a delay with it," he said. Currently, the popular ski area is not selling season passes until that funding come through. Nor is preparation work such as brush cutting or painting the lodge taking place. It is unlikely with the delay, they will get done, said Koenig. "Things we would like to do will get removed from the list," he said. "But all the normal things like maintenance and safety issues will be looked after." The ski area, which opened in 1968, has two chairlifts and a magic carpet. There is also a lodge, a rental shop and around 100 cabins. Some of the cabins are occupied year-round, while others are rented out during the ski season. Koenig said people love the area, because it's above the clouds and the skiing is fantastic. Bob Boyle, vice president of the Mount Baldy Ski Corp., acknowledges there has been delays, as they complete some financing. But he is optimistic there will be a 2013-2014 season at the ski area. "It looks like everything is falling into place now," he said. "We just didn't want to disappoint people by selling season passes and then opening in January." He added, that they don't anticipate that happening, and are hoping to open in December. "That's where we sit now," he said.
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