Southern California Ski Area Offering Half-Off Season Passes Following Wildfire

Mt. Baldy Resort needs our help. For the next week, the small ski area near Los Angeles, California, is selling steeply discounted season passes amidst a summer rife with fire-related closures.

Adult passes currently cost $399 . Normally, they cost $799. Mt. Baldy GM Robby Ellingson describes the situation in the video below.

Merch and gift cards are also available as a means to support Mt. Baldy. The ski area’s website includes a link to the Mt. Baldy Fire Relief Fund , which will assist residents with financial and property damage losses.

Mt. Baldy first closed in July as the Vista Fire burned near its boundaries. Then, this month, the ski area closed again as the 50,000-plus acre Bridge Fire—which has impacted other resorts —spread in Southern California. While the Bridge Fire hasn’t affected Mt. Baldy’s infrastructure, it is unclear when the ski area will be able to re-open in the near future. Despite this lack of clarity, Mt. Baldy noted in a previous update that it plans to open in time for the skiing and riding season.

The ski area relies heavily on summer-time revenue to meet timely opening dates during the winter—the previous and ongoing fire closures are expected to halve this pre-season revenue. The pass sale could provide a much-needed financial boost.

According to a release published by government agencies this morning, the Bridge Fire destroyed 73 structures and was 37% contained. Over 2,500 personnel are assigned to the fire, and several evacuation orders and warnings remain in effect. Four individuals have been injured.

Last week, rumors swirled that Mountain High, another Californian ski area, had been destroyed by the Bridge Fire. Those rumors may have been spurred by a webcam video from the resort that showed massive plumes of flame licking the upper terminal of one of Mountain High’s lifts. However, the ski area wrote on Instagram that “all the main lifts and buildings survived with little to no damage.”

In a news release, Mountain High noted, "The resort is still assessing the situation but anticipates opening on time for the upcoming season.”

Related: Storm Dispatch: Mt. Baldy, California

Be the first to read breaking ski news with POWDER. Subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of skiing. From ski resort news to profiles of the world’s best skiers, we are committed to keeping you informed.

Submit your best clips for a chance to be featured on POWDER. Tune in and watch handpicked, high-quality ski videos streaming all day long on POWDER TV , and subscribe to our YouTube channel .