For Sale: Skiing a Lost Ski Area - Mt Waterman

Just announced, Mt. Waterman is for sale for only 3.275 Million.

Who wants to own their own ski area?

Another ski area I was able to ski in my earlier years was Mt. Waterman in Southern California. Skiing at Mt. Waterman was unlike almost any other Southern California ski experience. Regulars often described it as feeling more like a hidden mountain in the Sierra than a typical Southern California resort.

Here are some of the characteristics that made it special:

• Natural snow only. Mt. Waterman never had snowmaking, so every season depended entirely on Pacific storms. In good winters, it offered surprisingly deep powder. In dry years, it might not open at all. That unpredictability became part of its identity.

• A skier's mountain. With about 140 acres, a 1,000-foot vertical drop, and terrain that leaned toward intermediate and advanced skiers, it attracted people who enjoyed varied, natural runs rather than perfectly groomed trails. Much of the mountain was left in a more natural state than larger resorts.

• Tree skiing. One of Waterman's hallmarks was its glades. After a fresh snowfall, locals prized the mountain for its tree skiing—something that's relatively uncommon at Southern California resorts.

• No crowds. Even on weekends, lift lines were often short or nonexistent. Many skiers remember being able to lap runs all day without waiting.

• Old-school atmosphere. The lifts were slow fixed-grip chairs, the lodge was simple, and there was little emphasis on luxury amenities. The focus was on skiing rather than resort activities.

• A dedicated local community. Waterman developed a loyal following, and I was one of them. Many were repeat skiers who appreciated its relaxed pace and were willing to wait through lean winters for the chance to ski there again.

The mountain was popular with backcountry skiers. Because the surrounding terrain in the San Gabriel Mountains holds snow well after storms, experienced skiers often explored beyond the lift-served runs.

The biggest challenge for Mt. Waterman has always been reliability. Southern California's variable snowfall, combined with wildfire damage, road closures on the Angeles Crest Highway, and aging infrastructure, has meant long periods when the area couldn't operate. For many years, whether Waterman would open each winter depended as much on weather and access as on the ski area itself.

But when the snow was good the skiing was really good. I had some great ski days there and I loved the atmosphere. The out of bounds skiing was really good and could be challenging. There was about 1400 feet of vertical trees where you ended up back at the highway about a mile from the ski area. You then had to catch a ride back.

People who skied there often compare it to stepping back in time. Instead of high-speed lifts and bustling base villages, you found a quiet mountain where you could hear the wind in the pines, chat with lift operators who knew many guests by name, and spend the day skiing uncrowded, natural terrain. I felt it was one of Southern California's best-kept skiing secrets— not because it was the biggest resort, but because of its distinctive character and devoted community.