The 'Mineral-Lassen Ski Area'. Wow I can hardly believe that! Explains this long forgotten and deteriorating hotel a few miles west of the CA Hwy 32 & 36 intersection. I'd always assumed it was tourist rentals for Lake Almanor, now I'm sure it was ski area local lodgings.
Badger pass still operates (when the road is open) in Yosemite national park even though there are other ski area alternatives nearby (and more accessible). For some reason the NPS makes an exception for badger.
I started working at Badger Pass in 1989 and I'm still here today (literally. I'm looking ot across the meadow at the Badger Pass Day Lodge as I type this.) Two new replacement lifts in 2008 and 2009, and major repair work on the day lodge in 2013 helped breathe new life into the area. The terrain isn't the type that brings in the extreme skiing type of skirt or snowboarder, but it's a great place to bring the kids without worrying that they're falling off a cliff on the other side of the mountain range. Established with the first ski lift in the western US in 1935, Badger has weathered many storms (and lack of storms) and should be here for many decades to come.
I have an early 90s CA map book that has the Lassen Ski area and the main lift indicated within it; I've always been curious about this ski area. I moved to Susanville in 2004, left in 2010, and am now returning. I had an old supervisor who learned to ski at Lassen, and she skied there often in childhood. One can see how the area once thrived once long ago, so sad but after watching this pretty obvious this resort was never given it's opportunity to shine.
Absolutely, it would probably still be around today had it not been in a National Park. Snowmaking and trail maintenance would have done wonders for the place.
Man, this was great! You should do an episode about "Johnsville Ski Bowl" It's another lost Ski Resort south of Lassen that has a fascinating history. For many years it was the oldest resort in the western hemisphere. They do do traditional Long Board Ski Racing at the same site but the lifts have long since closed.
I used to go to Lassen for backpacking, car camping and fishing. Always wanted to return for skiing. I live in So Cal and the logistics just didn’t work. To bad, it would have been a great memory.
It's such a shame Lassen went under, it has such better terrain than Shasta and generally more reliable natural snowfall. I never had the chance to ride there when it was open but have split board it on a powder day and it is right up there with Tahoe terrain
Well done! I got to ski there one time, back in the day, with the triple. It was a fun little spot- that as has been said below, had lots of potential- all wrapped up in the slow turning wheels of government- 2700 miles away in DC.
My first ski run was at Tillicum Valley in Vernon BC, perhaps it can make it on your list of old ski hills. There was a raceway and other summer activities there as well.
So just south west of marshall mountain which you covered recently, there are cut ski runs and evidence of a lift. I can't find any info on what this was, but it's well preserved. Would you be willing to dig around? Love your content!
@@UselessStunts Have a look at this article I found about this place. Interesting story to say the least: www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2009/10/residents-quietly-rejoice-local-foreclosure/28680/ Edit: Found a Reddit thread from 3 years ago on this place. www.reddit.com/r/missoula/comments/q8rq8g/does_anyone_know_the_story_about_the_ski_hill/
Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic national park is suffering the same death of a thousand cuts by the NPS bureaucracy. Having predated the creation of the park is the only saving grace. While some administrators have been supportive of skiing in the Olympics, many have not. Loosing the lodge to fire a year or so ago has not helped. Pray for POW and the Ridge.
I live in Chico and that was my main ski area from 87 to 93. It was low key and affordable. My crew were all free heel telemarkers. We still ski those runs and the adjacent peaks accessed above Sulfur Works. You have to earn your runs but keeps this senior citizen in shape! BTW I worked Badger Pass many seasons in Yosemite. You butcher the pronunciation of Yosemite; it is pronounced Yosemitee same as Yosemite Sam in Bugs Bunny cartoons 😊 I busted a pair of skis on Hairy Face!
Okay, you give it a try if you think narrating an 18 minute video is an easy thing to do. And by the way, it's corps, not corpse. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civilian_Conservation_Corps
@@wooden5c As I said before, voice narration is not a strong suit for me, especially for an 18 minute video. Maybe you should make a similar video with your own narration before you judge others for one or two words mispronounced.
The 'Mineral-Lassen Ski Area'. Wow I can hardly believe that! Explains this long forgotten and deteriorating hotel a few miles west of the CA Hwy 32 & 36 intersection. I'd always assumed it was tourist rentals for Lake Almanor, now I'm sure it was ski area local lodgings.
Badger pass still operates (when the road is open) in Yosemite national park even though there are other ski area alternatives nearby (and more accessible). For some reason the NPS makes an exception for badger.
I started working at Badger Pass in 1989 and I'm still here today (literally. I'm looking ot across the meadow at the Badger Pass Day Lodge as I type this.) Two new replacement lifts in 2008 and 2009, and major repair work on the day lodge in 2013 helped breathe new life into the area. The terrain isn't the type that brings in the extreme skiing type of skirt or snowboarder, but it's a great place to bring the kids without worrying that they're falling off a cliff on the other side of the mountain range. Established with the first ski lift in the western US in 1935, Badger has weathered many storms (and lack of storms) and should be here for many decades to come.
I lived in Chico back in the 80s and worked at ski area on the weekends from 85 to 92, great little area!
I remember skiing Lassen in the late 80’s as a small girl. Thanks for posting this. I bout forgot about this place.
I learned to ski there in 74. 2 rope tows and a Poma platter. Sturdy gloves were a must.
You probably remember then trying as hard as possible to hang on to the rope to cross the road on the intermediate tow.
I grew up skiing lassen.loved it, and my grandparents would take us, and they would also ski.
I have an early 90s CA map book that has the Lassen Ski area and the main lift indicated within it; I've always been curious about this ski area. I moved to Susanville in 2004, left in 2010, and am now returning. I had an old supervisor who learned to ski at Lassen, and she skied there often in childhood. One can see how the area once thrived once long ago, so sad but after watching this pretty obvious this resort was never given it's opportunity to shine.
Absolutely, it would probably still be around today had it not been in a National Park. Snowmaking and trail maintenance would have done wonders for the place.
@@Skier72 Indeed such lost potential
All your videos are addictive, I have fond memories of skiing through the 70s and 80s thanks for the trip down memory lane
Love the vids, keep it up. I can offer lots of info and history about the California resorts and the surrounding states.
Man, this was great! You should do an episode about "Johnsville Ski Bowl" It's another lost Ski Resort south of Lassen that has a fascinating history. For many years it was the oldest resort in the western hemisphere. They do do traditional Long Board Ski Racing at the same site but the lifts have long since closed.
You put some legwork into these videos and it shows! So cool.
@@berrybeastjdb It’s true😂, at least 9-12 hours per video. Glad you enjoyed!
I used to go to Lassen for backpacking, car camping and fishing. Always wanted to return for skiing. I live in So Cal and the logistics just didn’t work. To bad, it would have been a great memory.
It's such a shame Lassen went under, it has such better terrain than Shasta and generally more reliable natural snowfall. I never had the chance to ride there when it was open but have split board it on a powder day and it is right up there with Tahoe terrain
great job on this series!
Well done! I got to ski there one time, back in the day, with the triple. It was a fun little spot- that as has been said below, had lots of potential- all wrapped up in the slow turning wheels of government- 2700 miles away in DC.
Did the guy really just say “yo seh might?!” For Yosemite?! Funny.
@@monicacoulson244 yes I did ,😆and it was completely unintentional
@@Skier72 Haha thanks for responding! My family calls it that too. In a lame attempt at humor :)
@@monicacoulson244 It's the Canadian accent I guess
My first ski run was at Tillicum Valley in Vernon BC, perhaps it can make it on your list of old ski hills. There was a raceway and other summer activities there as well.
Probably will cover Tillicum in due time. Silver Summit, Alberta is my next lost resort video :)
Another great video
The best channel on UA-cam!
Appreciate it!
So just south west of marshall mountain which you covered recently, there are cut ski runs and evidence of a lift. I can't find any info on what this was, but it's well preserved. Would you be willing to dig around? Love your content!
Sorry got this wrong. It's actually SW of Lolo, MT. Very obvious ski area tree cutting.
@@UselessStunts Have a look at this article I found about this place. Interesting story to say the least:
www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2009/10/residents-quietly-rejoice-local-foreclosure/28680/
Edit: Found a Reddit thread from 3 years ago on this place.
www.reddit.com/r/missoula/comments/q8rq8g/does_anyone_know_the_story_about_the_ski_hill/
Thank you!!
ahhah Yoehs-eee-might
@@robcarlmark1949 yup… this is what happens when a Canadian tried to pronounce American names 😆
@@Skier72 all good your videos are great we appreciate you!
Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic national park is suffering the same death of a thousand cuts by the NPS bureaucracy. Having predated the creation of the park is the only saving grace. While some administrators have been supportive of skiing in the Olympics, many have not. Loosing the lodge to fire a year or so ago has not helped. Pray for POW and the Ridge.
@@skibum4u2 Yeah that fire was awful to say the least. Hopefully they can continue to operate. It’s definitely not easy within a national park.
Wait. you said yo-sa-mite
its Yo-sem-mitty
@@reedjacksonmaccom Hey dude. I’m Canadian. Cut me some slack.
Ya but yo suh mite is more fun
Was the platter a Doppelmayr?
What is “YOZE-MYTE”
@@nickradner5325 lol
Yoh suh might
@@Geoplanetjane Thanks for rubbing it in 😂
I live in Chico and that was my main ski area from 87 to 93. It was low key and affordable. My crew were all free heel telemarkers. We still ski those runs and the adjacent peaks accessed above Sulfur Works. You have to earn your runs but keeps this senior citizen in shape!
BTW I worked Badger Pass many seasons in Yosemite. You butcher the pronunciation of Yosemite; it is pronounced Yosemitee same as Yosemite Sam in Bugs Bunny cartoons 😊
I busted a pair of skis on Hairy Face!
@@AndyTomaselli Yup, I gathered 😆, at least I figured out how to pronounce cuyahoga though
I put in many miles up the road through Sulfur Works and on up to Lake Helen back in the 80s. Good times.
Civil Conservation Corpse? What is Barack narrating this??
Okay, you give it a try if you think narrating an 18 minute video is an easy thing to do. And by the way, it's corps, not corpse.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civilian_Conservation_Corps
@@Skier72 You phonetically said corpse - like twice. That is the gist of my comment. Yes, spelled corps ... But silent "p".
@@wooden5c As I said before, voice narration is not a strong suit for me, especially for an 18 minute video. Maybe you should make a similar video with your own narration before you judge others for one or two words mispronounced.
I had to stop the. Idea when “Yosemite” was mispronounced
That should be the only mispronounced word though 😂