Are you looking for a place to go skiing that's not too far from home, and yet doesn't take hours battling traffic to actually get there and get back safely?  One can search through mountains high and past big bears to find such a sweet spot, to no avail.  One longs for the proverbial swimming hole of ski resorts; a little-known place secret to most everyone except the locals, and, like Jackson, Wyoming, the standard practice to tell others about the place is to say, "that place was terrible," when in reality, it's actually great, and especially so since so few people go.

Well, today is your fortunate day.

During the ski season, if you notice a day where it is very rainy, and cold enough to snow in the mountains, get ready! Early the next morning, do like I did and head up to Mt. Baldy. Put some chains in your car, and, from our part of town, take Imperial to the 57 north, to the 210 east, and exit the freeway on Mills Avenue heading north, which turns into the aptly-named Mt. Baldy Road.  You'll know you've found the place when you see a smallish parking lot and a simple shack.  Bust out whatever you use to carve up the white stuff, and head on up the ski lift for a great day of moderate to difficult runs.  Take a break at the little lodge near the top of the first mountain lift; you'll find plenty of old-school character: simple grub, a super-hot stove to dry off your duds, and a great place to hang out with friends.  Hit the slopes again, and be back at home before dinner.  Seriously, the drive there and back is super-easy compared to some of the other ski resorts available to us.

It doesn't snow often on Baldy, but when it does, head on out for a day you won't forget for a long time. Don't forget, "Mt. Baldy sucks."