Mt. Waterman ski resort to open Saturday
Yup, you read that right. Mt. Waterman, the oldest ski resort in Southern California, plans to open Saturday — at least four years after the chairlifts last delivered skiers and snowboarders up the slopes of the Angeles National Forest resort.
Recent storms created an impressive 7-to-8-foot base of snow at the ski resort that’s just an hour’s drive from downtown Los Angeles.
But the snow was also a mixed blessing: For two weeks, conditions kept skiers away because Highway 2, the only road to Waterman, was closed. Caltrans recently plowed the road, and the resort has been telling folks about the proposed opening mostly by word-of-mouth, according to spokesman Roberto Martinez.
»What’s your favorite lesser-known SoCal winter resort?«
“We’ve got more than 1,000 people on the e-mail list,” said Martinez.
Martinez is part of the Waterman crew who has “a tremendous passion for the mountain.”
“If you see 18 guys going down the same line flying down the mountain, that’s us,” he says of the investors who have been skiing Waterman since they were kids. Martinez says the group plans to open nearby Kratka Ridge as a tubing-snow play park next year.
So why has the resort been closed for four years? It’s complicated — and explained on the website. Since Rick Metcalf and his crew bought the resort in June 2006, they’ve spruced up and upgraded the neglected resort. They also had to wade through national forest and other permits (the land is leased) and fix the place up.
“We certified the lifts, we’ve really cleaned up the mountain and made it nice,” he said.
Curious visitors and old fans will find a small but “challenging hill known for its steep terrain,” Metcalf said. Like generations of locals who learned to ski at the little resort, beginners will find less-intimidating runs on which to practice their turns. Three chairlifts serve a 1,500-foot vertical drop and a top elevation at 8,000 feet.
The resort doesn’t rent equipment on the mountain but contracts with Sport Chalet in La Cañada Flintridge (920 Foothill Blvd., near the Highway 2 offramp of the 210 Freeway).
Mt. Waterman will be open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursdays through Sundays and on holidays. Lift tickets are $49 weekends and holidays, and $39 Thursdays and Fridays. It is located on Highway 2, 33 miles northeast of La Cañada Flintridge. Details at www.skiwaterman.com.
— Benoit Lebourgeois, Special to the Los Angeles Times
Related:
The best SoCal ski spots for newbies
[Photo: Mt. Waterman, circa 2000; Myung J. Chung / Los Angeles Times]
10 Comments on “Mt. Waterman ski resort to open Saturday”
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February 14th, 2008 at 2:03 am
what memories. I learned to ski there in 1948. Lived in Glendale and we would drive up and back in a few hours. What a joy!.
February 14th, 2008 at 7:30 am
do they really have a 7-8′ base? I have driven by the place on occasion and it appears to be in a north facing bowl which makes for heavy snowfall.
good luck to you brave souls. I hope someone can make a go of this as it sounds like a Southern California treasure.
February 14th, 2008 at 10:44 am
Glad to hear this local treasure has been rescued. I have many fond memories of Mt. Waterman - can’t wait to go back!
February 17th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
I was just up there today for the Sunday of opening weekend. We actually got lost on a trail and ended up in some pretty thick backcountry… Then later jumped off the lift because it was broken down. Cool little gem overall. I’ll be back after the next big snow, lets hope the roads are open.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
I’m thrilled to hear that Mt. Waterman is open again! So much of my family’s history is there. My dad (Ren Newcomb) and my Uncle Lynn built Waterman with thier Dad so many years ago, and Lynn devoted so many years to keeping things going after their dad passed away. My favorite memories are of ditching a school day during jr. hi to go up and ski with my dad…and then later on taking my husband and little boys up there every Thanksgiving Day, when no one but the extended Newcomb family and a few others were there. Those were magical times. Kudos to the new owners–I’m sure your love for the mountain and your hard work will bring success!
February 18th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
There is a God,
I’ve been skiing Waterman for over 30 years and was down right broken hearted when it shut down 5 yrs ago. Every year I would search the internet looking for news about the Mt. with no luck. Then Roberto sent out the invite for this weekend and I just got back from skiing the hill a few hours ago and it’s in the best shape I’ve ever seen it in. The chair is now a slow jog compared to the crawl it use to be but after blasting the face you need a good rest, at least the old timers do. The new owners are real good people and really make you feel like family. I encourage everyone to visit this wonderful piece of history. For those who haven’t skied here, the face is a true black diamond, and double when the bumps get big which is usually the case. The top is probably the best place for someone who’s never skied to learn, very non threatening. So you have the best of both worlds and it never has the crazy crowds and out of control people. Family is the word that sums it up, quality people. So, if you’re up for a good day only an hour away, get up there!
February 19th, 2008 at 10:33 am
Been skiing Waterman since 1974, and had a blast Sunday! First paying customer on lift #1 and skied until these old legs couldn’t anymore. Robin’s Run really takes it’s toll. Looking foreward to returning soon. I wish Rick and and his partners well. Very nice guy! Spoke with him while waiting for the lift to open.
February 19th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
My boyfriend Matthew and I hit Waterman for the first time on Saturday and couldn’t believe we had been missing out on this historic spot. The skiing was truly challenging and had a back-country feel. It was like stepping back in time and entering a true ski community. Thanks to everyone who made us feel so welcome! Can’t wait to go next weekend!
February 22nd, 2008 at 10:26 am
I went up thurs. 2/21 but closed?
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:10 pm
it better not suck