mt. baldy ski area

We took our two year old daughter up today to play in the snow because it's much less crowded than high traffic areas like mountain high or big bear. There's numerous restaurants and places to purchase sleds and other gear. You may need chains if it's snowing a lot.

People go because it's so close and they sell cheap Groupon tickets. Because people keep coming the management doesn't seem to care. All the other reviews about the poor facility conditions and awfully long lines are absolutely true. Stay away!

Used the groupon for the ski lifts and tubing today for my son and I. Drove from Glendale, CA (about 1 - 1.5 hrs with no traffic). Bottom line: don't go there unless you like to get hurt and get scared. It was about 40 degrees with a 25 mph wind chill. The lift up and down is about 15 mins each way (which seems like forever, trust me). With a 25 mph wind chill and 40 feet above the ground, it's very scary and some of the seats on the ski lifts (including my son's) are BROKEN. yes, and to make it even worse, the lift sometimes stops abruptly. They told me at the top that they don't stop the lift operations until the winds hit 60 mph!!! That's totally insane!Also, for the tubing, we went down the hill literally just once as my son didn't like walking up the hill (Big Bear last year has rollers that you stand on to get back to the top). I slipped on the ice at the top of the tubing hill and slammed my cheekbone on my son's head very hard. Very unpleasant experience. But this happened last year (or similar falling/slipping) at Big Bear tubing as well.Do not go here. I would not go here again even if it was totally free.

The best part about this ski spot is its distance from Los Angeles. One second you can be surfing the waves in Venice beach, and a few hours later hitting the slopes of Mt Baldy.

My wife and I really loved the ski lifts ride to the top. Hiking around the area we saw a lot of big horn sheep. Fun to watch them traverse the loose terrain with such ease. Bar and food area at the top was pretty. Drought has hit this resort hard. Hope they get some snow for the season. Great hiking so go up during the dry months too.

Two couples enjoyed our ride up the lift on a Saturday afternoon taking advantage of a Groupon deal for ride and lunch at the Top Notch restaurant at the top. It was very cold with a cold front moving through that day, we had not planned on such weather, but enjoyed lunch at the restaurant and a quick walk up top before enduring the cold ride down. This is a great deal and makes for a fun day.....get on up here.

I'm 62 years old, 5' 3" and weigh 120 lbs. Just wanted to clarify that in case your thinking I'm a 30 year old chick writing this. Most people think I am...NOT! I hiked this on Wednesday, 7.30,14 for the first time. I am training for hiking Mt. Fuji in Japan. My group (don't hike alone) ascended and descended the Ski hut trail (Baldy bowl trail). I hike a lot and in training, I carry a 15-20 pound pack. I did not make it to the summit, but made it to the ridge at 9,000 feet. Only 1058 ft and I think 2 miles left until the summit. I was hiking with two others and we decided not to try and make the summit for a few reasons. One, we had started at 8 a.m. and should have started at 6 a.m. Two, at the ridge we rested too long and our muscles got cold and 3, we had a long drive home. Do not fool yourself, this is not a hike for beginners unless your 20 and do not possess the wisdom of someone older then it is STILL not for you! Trekking poles saved my butt more than once from a fall and they give you that extra oomph while you are going up, up, up. I highly recommend them along with good, high-top hiking boots not to mention the 10 essentials for hiking. There is a fair amount of shade along the trail,but not so much (I've been told) from the ridge where we stopped to the summit. Pace yourself, it is NOT a race, unless it is...then disregard that piece of advice! Practice holding your breath before you go because, not only the view breathtaking, but also, the porta-potties! Eeewwwhhh! Stinky!!!! You need a National Forest Adventure Pass ($5 for day or you can buy yearly pass). I will do it again, starting earlier to hit the summit. It is beautiful! I rated it 4, because I'm still sore and they need to empty the porta-potties!!!!

OK, so who writes reviews about Visitor's Centers...??This one is in the very small village of Mt. Baldy in the San Gabriel Mts. which is an incredibly short 15 minutes from the 210 fwy. (I like to exit at Baseline, go west about a block to Padua. Turn right (up the hill) and follow to Mt. Baldy Rd. Turn right and continue to the village but there are other routes. The Ski Lift and Manaker Flats Camp Ground (see other reviews) is about 10 minutes further. What makes this one merit some comments is that it is a lot more than most. The staff, Richard was working weekends, is most knowledgeable and helpful.It's more than just an information station. The center includes a small museum and animal display. There is a fine, shaded picnic area with tables next to a native display including shelters and tools used by the Tongva people, who were the original inhabitants of this area.There is an outdoor education building that serves bus loads of students during the school year. Buy the required Adventure Pass here if you are going to park in the Fee Areas. (909) 982-2829

Every time I go to SoCal, I make sure to have a day set aside to climb Mt. Baldy. Park at Manker Flats, burn your quads climbing up Sierra Hut/Baldy Bowl Trail (steeper slope) 4 miles, 4000 ft elevation gain (10,064 ft at summit), then punish your knees going down 7 miles on Devil's Backbone Trail (less steep slope). Together called the Baldy Loop. Must be reasonably fit to tackle this. Walking poles will save your knees. I also wear knee braces. Check out hiking pages for detailed trail descriptions.

Group on or whatever make a trip up to the Notch and eat great food and see amazing sights Skiing is amazing as well when the Lord gives us snow to ski on but either way this is a year round destination & go to Mt Baldy.com to find amazing deals for ski passes and deals

I went over the summer and it was much cooler at the top. I cheated and took the ski lift up in order to shorten the hike. The view at the top was amazing. Devils backbone was the most difficult. It is very steep and was hard at time, but we made it. We stopped for a snack and beer on the way back before heading back down. We got homemade chips and salsa which were amazing with a nice blue moon beer.

It's a nice drive to the ski lift. The chair lift ride is scenic, peaceful, and relaxing. At the top, the rustic restaurant/bar is a nice place to have lunch, enjoy the view, and just kick back awhile. Make sure you choose a clear/sunny day in the spring/summer and bring a jacket just in case as the higher you go, the cooler it gets. Just heard that there is a 3-5 inch snowfall and with that amount, I'm sure it is absolutely beautiful.

As other reviewers have shared, this is a year-round experience. The lifts operate on Friday-Sunday, and take you through a quiet that you can almost touch! On a day that California is best known for...sunny, clear, with a bit of snow clinging to the shady spots...this is a great ride to experience!After reaching the top, and exploring all the area, imagining it covered in snow, we had lunch and then decided to walk the road back down instead of taking the lift. It was a good 1-hour walk, downhill. We stopped often to take pictures, and just enjoy the quiet! Many visitors hike the trails in the area, and the personnel at the lifts will be more than happy to help with directions.Beware, though, if you decide to walk back down, there is a point where the road forks...the left fork drops steeply down, but ends up in the parking lot from the lift. The other fork continues to the right and ends up down the mountain a bit at the falls. Your choice is a fast steep descent to your car, or a view of the waterfall, but a hike back up the road to the parking lot.The lift staff are friendly and helpful, as are the staff at the top. We will remember that Mt. Baldy is not just for skiing!

Did you know that you could ride the chair lift at Mr. Baldy up to the top in the summer too?Its worth your consideration. You can have a quiet, scenic ride up to the restaurant/bar and lower your temperature and chaos. Food and drink at the top is top drawer. Dare you to finish the double pattied, jalapeno "Diablo" burger. Potato salad with blue cheese is above the rest. You can explore the surrounds and quite a few brave souls make their way up to the top of the summit. Bring your walking shoes.Young guys running the equipment and the bar try very hard to give great service. Supplied us with the sun screen we forgot to bring with us. You are ten feet from the sun.Makes for an unique summer day trip gettaway. Give it a try. Discount seals the deal.

Took a day to enjoy a beautiful day on Mount Baldy. Went up on the ski lift to the lodge. Had a nice brunch. Food was decent but I personally prefer real butter and real milk in/on my food.Staff were professional, pleasant and attentive in all areas. Enjoyed walking around -lots of hiking trails.