Skiing the Waterman Backcountry

[@surfk9836]

I used to ski there in the 70's. There was a lot more snow back then. Thanksgiving to Easter was the norm. One year it opened on November 1, the day after Halloween. Before there was a chair 3 my ski buddy and I would traverse from chair 2 west (left as you look down the face) and ski past Cloudburst to Avalanche chute and the ridgelines beyond. It was steep and challenging. The more snow, the further down the highway we could end up. We then had to hitch a ride back up to the parking lot. The corn snow in the spring was awesome skiing. One day the ranger gave us a ride back. He was an ex B-class pro racer from Colorado who befriended us (we were in high school). He carved it straight down the face like it was nothing. Following him down the face, matching him turn for turn, and seeing exactly how he was turning and emulating it at speed catapulted my skiing to a whole new level. It's as though it was yesterday. I'm 66 now. Thanks for the video.

[@AndyLewicky]

glad I could spark the memories! :)

[@garypark745]

I grew up skiing Mt Waterman in the '80's. It is a challenging and fun place to ski. Thanks for the walk down memory lane!

[@IronRaven11666]

Awesome! Im glad somebody is... SENDING IT !!

[@AndyLewicky]

We definitely showed that fire road who was boss!

[@IronRaven11666]

Used to work there in 98

[@AndyLewicky]

@@IronRaven11666 Bet you got some great days up there -- it's a beautiful area!

[@IronRaven11666]

@@AndyLewicky the bestest ever... I know a lot of bros and I used to drop Avalanche Canyon from the top of Chair 2 regularly into the Backcountry and end up at Hwy 2... Even real late season

[@napndash]

Love your vids, sick

[@georgekarpouzis6108]

Thanks for the upload. Things are definitely firm

[@marilenalatifi1600]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@Keyoff89]

Only been once in 2019 but man, it's truly a gem. Notice you added a drone to your filming arsenal, nice!

[@AndyLewicky]

Yes -- the DJI mini is a new addition. Still learning how to use it but love the unique perspective it offers! :)

[@Mpp31provo]

Thanks for filming this one. I always wanted to know what Waterman was like.

[@TheCactusjack1]

Absolute criminals running this hill. They lie and say they don't have enough snow to operate, yet when I worked there for them they ran it with less at times. You were very wise to stay on the service road and off the face in those bullet- proof conditions.

[@bman11714]

Great video! With this cold storm coming do you think Waterman would be a good bet this week?

[@AndyLewicky]

road likely to be closed for a long time, and probably severe hazard even if you could get there, Plus significant new storm coming early next week...

[@adventurelens9678]

We were up there the day before you- those were my tracks coming down the fire road. Btw, I'm enjoying some new Zero G's. I had emailed you about 6 months ago for your opinion on them.

[@AndyLewicky]

They work well on hard snow, don't they? Gave me more confidence for sure than my Mythics would have. Maybe too much confidence -- we were tempted to try to ski the face. :)

[@adventurelens9678]

@@AndyLewicky definitely better then my old wet noodles AKA Black Diamond Helio 95s from a few years ago

[@austinnchavezz]

Wow why have I never heard about this place. Is the resort closed now?

[@AndyLewicky]

There is considerable debate as to whether or not the current owners still want to be operating a public ski area. They have not opened since I believe 2018-2019. In its prime, this must have been an amazing place to ski--and it's remarkably close to downtown L.A.

[@harveymushman4539]

@@AndyLewicky I used to ski there in the 1970s. When they had snow it was a lot of fun!!!

[@AndyLewicky]

@@harveymushman4539 Wish I could have seen it then!

[@harveymushman4539]

@@AndyLewicky Yeah, I wish I could go back in time and re-visit. It was a different era all together.

[@rfdffpm]

When that storm hit in March and washed out half of Highway 2, I was so bummed out. I sure hope Highway 2 gets fixed for this winter and I am loosing hope in this mountain opening again. I went up during the summer of 2022 and got to ride the chair up when they had a private Disc Game. The owner stated that they had finally gotten the phone line fixed from the last fire and were recruiting for positions, they were serious about opening. Once winter hit early in California a Ski Patrolmen at Mt. High told me that they had load tested Chair #1 and #3 but were unable to load test Chair #2. Some of the Mt. High Ski Patrollers help with Mt. Waterman or at least were planning on it. I believe with Newcomb Bar closed that there is not much incentive for CAL-Trans to clear the road as there isn't much up there anymore that is open in winter. Southern California skiing midweek is not what it once was, I am sure the IKON Pass is pulling the skier's to Big Bear and Snow Valley. Mt. High is low numbers midweek same as Baldy. Not sure if there is enough skier base to get this place going again without snow making and with the lack of beginner runs. Sure miss this place from the 1980's. The Obama Wilderness protection act of 2008 was nail in the coffin for Kratka and Waterman ever joining and becoming one big resort and probably stop snow making efforts. If highway 39 is rebuilt and re-opened at the Islip Saddle, that would be a game changer and add another route up.

[@kiddocarson3968]

How is the 2 right now? And also parking? Lots of people have been talking about getting out there

[@AndyLewicky]

I think the 2 is open to Islip Saddle. Some icy patches in the shade but otherwise ok

[@waltysalamander]

Do you think it'll open for skiing at all this season? I've already been to Mt. Baldy twice this season so far and got some nice slush/powder on the opening day of chair 4 and I really want to get Mt. Waterman too.

[@rfdffpm]

When that storm hit in March and washed out half of Highway 2, I was so bummed out. I sure hope Highway 2 gets fixed for this winter and I am loosing hope in this mountain opening again.

[@waltysalamander]

@@rfdffpm I know, I went backcounty boarding at Waterman about a month after I posted this comment. The snow was slushy, but there was actually plenty of it.