The Ladue Ski Club has a new opportunity this year. It allows students to purchase a discounted pass to ski and snowboard at Hidden Valley Resort.
“Kids have been asking me for many years why we did not have a high school program,” program director and middle school Industrial Technology teacher Mark Biernbaum said. “I tried to get a high school sponsor for several years ago with no luck.”
After some time, he realized that implementing the ski club at the high school was up to him. This year, he began taking the necessary steps to expand the program.
“ Now that I have finished building our house and my daughter is at the high school, I thought I would go ahead and talk with the high school administration myself about getting something started,” Biernbaum said. “They were okay with the idea, as it is being offered.”
High school students have two options to purchase a discounted ski pass through the new program. For $99, they can buy a “Pick a Day” pass that may be used once a week from Monday through Thursday, but not on the weekend.
The other option is a Friday only pass for $150 that allows students to ski any Friday that Hidden Valley is open. Both passes include ski and snowboard rental.
“Once we understood the liability issues [associated with the program] there were no concerns,” principal Bridget Hermann said. “We try to accommodate all student interests.”
Since Hidden Valley will open Dec. 17, some students are concerned about a season pass’s costs. Many students have expressed interest in the club.
“I didn’t even know the program was being offered, but I am most definitely going to sign up now,” senior Mike Walden said.
A regular season pass to Hidden Valley, including rental, costs $425. A “Pick a Day” pass including rental costs $355. By taking advantage of the Ladue Ski Club discount, skiers can save over $200 regardless of which pass they choose to purchase.
The reduced cost of a season pass is not the only
reason students are attracted to the high school program. Many students want a chance to relive their favorite moments of the middle school Ski Club.
“Racing down the slopes while sitting on the snowboard was definitely one of the best parts of my middle school Ski Club experience,” sophomore Matthew Hooper said. “It’s hard to choose any one moment in particular because I had so many great times.”
The Ski Club does not offer high school students a way to get to Hidden Valley. Busses are provided for middle school students but this creates a need for teacher chaperones. Replicating this program at the high school was not possible, so Biernbaum and administrators decided to simply sell the discounted passes. Due to bus congestion and issues regarding chaperones, high school participants need their own ride to Hidden Valley.
“I have not spoken to any parents about [the Ski Club] yet, but I have talked with a few kids and they said they were thrilled for the opportunity,” Biernbaum said. #
