It is going to be much easier for Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB) members to hit the slopes this year.
A new benefits agreement is set to expand access to the Mount Baldy Ski Area, providing season lift passes for all OIB members, as well as access to rental equipment and increased availability of ski and snowboard lesson.
The agreement also provides for an annual lease payment by Baldy Capital Corporation for land on the hill, owned by the OIB.
There is an option in the agreement for Baldy Capital Corporation to purchase this land or trade for a different land parcel in the future. The OIB will also receive an ownership interest in Baldy Capital Corporation, which will facilitate the planning of future development in a cooperative and consultative manner between the two partners.
“Our support for the continued operation and development of Mt. Baldy has helped bring the Mount Baldy Ski Area back to life this past season and we look forward to working with Baldy Capital Corporation in their efforts to create a new operating model to sustain and grow the ski resort in the future. We have confidence in the management team within Baldy Capital Corporation and want to work in partnership with them to bring back Mount Baldy Ski Area to the success it once had,” said OIB Chief Clarence Louie in a press release.
“We appreciate the working relationship which we are building with the Osoyoos Indian Band. Without their co-operation and support we would not have been able to open the hill successfully this past season,” said Fred Johnston of the Baldy Capital Corporation in a press release.