Buckhorn Ski Club

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The Buckhorn Ski and Snowboard Club is located roughly 40 miles 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.

Contents 1 History 2 Location 3 Facilities 4 Activities 5 References

[edit] History

After World War II, skiing as a group operation began with the assembly of neighborhood ski clubs. These clubs constructed rope tows and warming huts. The 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 the Buckhorn Ski Club and later to the Buckhorn Ski and Snowboard Club.

[edit] Location

Buckhorn lies on about 60 acres of U.S. Government land located approximately 40 miles north of Los Angeles in the Angeles National Forest, off Angeles Crest Highway (SR2) with a base elevation at 6,100 feet, 0.9 mile east of Mt. Waterman, 1.5 miles west of Kratka Ridge. To get to Buckhorn, travel north on the 5 freeway. You will pass the junction of the 5, 101, and 10 freeways, but stay on the 5. Next you will pass the Harbor freeway 110. At this point, start looking for the 2 Freeway to Glendale & La Canada. Go north on the 2 Freeway nearly to the end until it meets the 210 Freeway. Travel east on the 210 freeway and exit at Angeles Crest Highway. Turn left onto the Angeles Crest Highway. Angeles Crest Highway is a 4 lane road at this point, but soon narrows to a two lane winding mountain road; take your time. The Lodge is about 37 miles from this point. When you pass the Newcomb Ranch restaurant/bar, you have about 7.6 miles to go. Next, watch for the sign marking Cloud Burst Summit, elevation 7018 feet and you'll be 1.3 miles away. Start looking for the Buckhorn Campground sign. At this point, you're ¼ mile away. Now look for the Buckhorn Ski Club sign on your right. If it's summer, drive through the gate. If there's a fair amount of snow on the ground, park across the street in the parking strip. Remember, Buckhorn is between Mt. Waterman and Kratka Ridge. Just some more help: look at the small white highway signs, placed every couple of hundred feet on both sides of the road -- the ones with the little reflectors. The Lodge is just past the 58.33 mile marker. If you get to any sign higher than 58.45, you have passed it. If you're coming from the Riverside area, please note that the road from Mountain High is closed when the snow gets too deep.

[edit] 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 square feet. 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.

[edit] Activities

Downhill skiing is the central focus with over 40 acres of terrain with a 600-foot vertical drop. Snowboarding is also allowed on the Bunny Hill. Skis, for cross-country skiing, and snowshoes are available for use at the lodge.

[edit] References

Los Angeles County Assessors Office [1]

The Buckhorn Ski and Snowboard Club website [2]