Buckhorn Ski Club
Encyclopedia
Buckhorn Ski and Snowboard Club is located roughly 40 mi (64.4 km) north of Los Angeles
in the Angeles National Forest
. The U.S. Department of Agriculture owns the land and the United States Forest Service
administers the area. It is a cooperative club with nominal dues but all members are expected to contribute time to maintenance.
, skiing as a group operation began with the assembly of neighborhood ski clubs. These clubs constructed rope tows and warming huts. Buckhorn Ski Club is the last remaining club-owned self operated ski facility in California
. In 1948, the Santa Monica Ski Club and the G. Pepperdine Ski Club obtained permits to build two rope tows and rope tow sheds. A few years later, the same group built the lodge and the out house. In 1958, the club incorporated as the Whittier Ski Club and combined with the Santa Monica Ski Club. In 1984, the club changed its name to Buckhorn Ski Club and later to Buckhorn Ski and Snowboard Club.
In February 2005, a huge snow storm dropped 8 ft (2.4 m) of snow. This resulted in the lodge's roof collapsing. The club members rallied to shovel the snow off the roof and protect the lodge. Over the summer the club members re-built the roof to current construction standards.
is the central focus with over 40 acre (16.2 ha) of terrain with a 680 ft (207.3 m) vertical drop. Snowboarding
is also allowed on both the Big Hill and the Bunny Hill. Snowboarders usually find it harder than skiers to use the rope tows because it is harder to maintain balance. Skis, for cross-country skiing
, and snowshoes are available for use at the lodge.
The club has several annual on-hill and off-hill events. A popular "Wine in the Pines" wine tasting event is held in September and the club goes white water rafting on the Kern River
in June.
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
in the Angeles National Forest
Angeles National Forest
The Angeles National Forest of the U.S. National Forest Service is located in the San Gabriel Mountains of Los Angeles County, southern California. It was established on July 1, 1908, incorporating the first San Bernardino National Forest and parts of the former Santa Barbara and San Gabriel...
. The U.S. Department of Agriculture owns the land and the United States Forest Service
United States Forest Service
The United States Forest Service is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture that administers the nation's 155 national forests and 20 national grasslands, which encompass...
administers the area. It is a cooperative club with nominal dues but all members are expected to contribute time to maintenance.
History
After World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, skiing as a group operation began with the assembly of neighborhood ski clubs. These clubs constructed rope tows and warming huts. Buckhorn Ski Club is the last remaining club-owned self operated ski facility in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. In 1948, the Santa Monica Ski Club and the G. Pepperdine Ski Club obtained permits to build two rope tows and rope tow sheds. A few years later, the same group built the lodge and the out house. In 1958, the club incorporated as the Whittier Ski Club and combined with the Santa Monica Ski Club. In 1984, the club changed its name to Buckhorn Ski Club and later to Buckhorn Ski and Snowboard Club.
In February 2005, a huge snow storm dropped 8 ft (2.4 m) of snow. This resulted in the lodge's roof collapsing. The club members rallied to shovel the snow off the roof and protect the lodge. Over the summer the club members re-built the roof to current construction standards.
Facilities
The lodge itself is intact after being built in the early 1950’s. It is Alpine style with a gable roof and encompasses about 800 sq ft (74.3 m²). The wood frame lodge has shiplap siding and a deck with custom balcony trim. The interior includes a great room with a chimney, kitchen, pantry, and utility room. The rope tows and drive apparatus are still operating with a Chrysler Spitfire truck engine and a Waukesha tractor engine.Activities
Downhill skiingSkiing
Skiing is a recreational activity using skis as equipment for traveling over snow. Skis are used in conjunction with boots that connect to the ski with use of a binding....
is the central focus with over 40 acre (16.2 ha) of terrain with a 680 ft (207.3 m) vertical drop. Snowboarding
Snowboarding
Snowboarding is a sport that involves descending a slope that is covered with snow on a snowboard attached to a rider's feet using a special boot set onto mounted binding. The development of snowboarding was inspired by skateboarding, sledding, surfing and skiing. It was developed in the U.S.A...
is also allowed on both the Big Hill and the Bunny Hill. Snowboarders usually find it harder than skiers to use the rope tows because it is harder to maintain balance. Skis, for cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing is a winter sport in which participants propel themselves across snow-covered terrain using skis and poles...
, and snowshoes are available for use at the lodge.
The club has several annual on-hill and off-hill events. A popular "Wine in the Pines" wine tasting event is held in September and the club goes white water rafting on the Kern River
Kern River
The Kern River is a river in the U.S. state of California, approximately long. It drains an area of the southern Sierra Nevada mountains northeast of Bakersfield. Fed by snowmelt near Mount Whitney, the river passes through scenic canyons in the mountains and is a popular destination for...
in June.