Sandpoint trio buys Canadian ski area

SANDPOINT — Three Sandpoint entrepreneurs have purchased the Mount Baldy Ski Area in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley.

The purchase of the ski area by the new owners, Winter Recreation, ULC, was completed today. The corporation was formed by Brent Baker, owner of Baker Construction and Development, Brent Sweezy, former CFO of lifestream Technologies, Inc., and Bob Boyle, CPA.

The acquisition has been in the works for 18 months and includes the ski operation and assets, including all Provincial Crown leases, all of the real estate in the village core and 21 secondary market lots.

Mount Baldy, considered the "diamond in the rough" of South Okanagan, has one of the highest base elevations in British Columbia, rising above Canada's only desert. The ski area is a four-hour drive from Vancouver, British Columbia, and Spokane.

The master plan, already in progress, should be submitted within 90 days, according to Winter Recreation president Brett Sweezy. Over the next few years, the plan will call for increases in skiable terrain and lift capacity from above 1,400 vertical feet and 600 acres to more than 2,000 vertical feet and more than 2,000 skiable acres. Improvements will allow the ski area to tap into the previously untouched summit, Northeast Bowl and Southwest Bowl.

During the acquisition process, a strategic alliance with the Nk'Mip (Osoyoos) Indians Band and Mount Baldy's designation by the British Columbia government as a "Fast Track Project."

The program, which is designed to facilitate new capital investment in the province, designates the project as an economic development priority.

"The BC Liberal government is a big part of our decision to invest in British Columbia," Sweezy said. "By cutting red tap and streamlining otherwise lengthy approval processes, government has created a business climate that welcomes investment."

Not only was the potential of the ski area a big draw, Baker said the region itself has a lot to offer, from a top-notch winery to shopping to golfing.

To test the versatility, Baker said he came for a visit, and in one day, skied through untracked powder, took an early morning mountain bike ride, played nine holes of golf, visited the winery and had a gourmet meal.

"I felt I had experienced Aspen, the Napa Valley and Palm Springs all in one place," he said. "I don't know anywhere else in the world I could have done this."

Information about residential lots or ticket information: brett@skibaldy.com or (250) 498-4059.