YOUTH SNOWRIDER INFORMATION

WELCOME! Thank you for registering for the Snowrider Program. It’s looking like it will be another epic snow season! 
We want everyone to have an enjoyable time so please take a moment and read through this important information with your child.  If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me. The best way is by email: Kim Andrews parkfun@whidbey.com  or call 360-221-5484.

As of today, Wednesday, December 15, we only have 34 participants signed up for the bus. We will be running the bus but ideally need more riders, if you know anyone that would like to join us please pass the word! They can sign up online at www.swparks.org 

Communications: If you have not already, please provide an email address, as this is the easiest way to let you know about updates and information on the program. It’s also important that you check your email prior to trips for any updates or cancellations. 

When: The ski bus starts Saturday, January 8th, and runs through February 12th. We cannot guarantee 6 consecutive weeks, but we do guarantee to provide services within normal ski season January – March. 

Participation: This program is available to all youth, ages 10-17.  Participants must be self sufficient, able to care for themselves and carry their equipment to and from the bus. We recommend the younger kids sign up with a friend and require 12 and under and beginners to take lessons. Remind your child that the chaperones are there to help, if they have any problems or questions just ask any chaperone or Clancys Ski School employee. 

Schedule: 
Departs Coupeville: 5:20am **- Coupeville Elementary School
Departs South Whidbey:  6:15am**- Ken’s Korner parking lot
Ferry: Will catch the 6:30am ferry in the morning, and attempt to catch the 6:30pm ferry in the evening. 
Departs Stevens Pass: 4:30 Promptly or time chaperone states. 
Arrives: South Whidbey: 6:50pm- Coupeville: 7:30pm (approximate times)
**Please be at the buses at least 15 minutes prior to departure. 

Participants will be responsible to be on time when the bus leaves the mountain.  If for some reason they miss the bus, they’ll need to contact CLANCY’S SKI SCHOOL for directions.  Or call KIM at 360-929-1539. The parents will then be contacted to arrange pickup.  
Cancellations: The bus will only be canceled if the Pass is closed or deemed unsafe by the supervisor. If this happens you will be contacted by your chaperone or will be told at pickup point. You can check the highway report at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/stevens

Lift Tickets: Students will purchase tickets on the bus. They MUST bring a check payable to STEVENS PASS for the exact amount of the ticket, we cannot accept cash. Daily ticket prices are $33 for age 12 and under, $43 for ages 13-15, $53 for ages 16+ and up.  This includes a $7 discount group rate and sales tax if tickets are purchased on the bus. If they purchase at the Stevens Pass ticket window they will not get the discount rate! 

Ski School: The Snowrider program will be using CLANCY’S SKI SCHOOL for our lessons this year.  Clancy’s will be located in the Pacific Crest Lodge nearest Kehr’s Chair.  If you have any specific questions for the ski school, you can reach them at 425-348-3622 or www.clanc.com.  We require that beginners and participants 12 and under take instruction. Clancy’s is offering six weeks of lessons this year. If you are taking lessons, you will be told on the bus what your class number is, it will also be posted at the lodge. Your instructor will have a sign with a number on it at the Pacific Crest Lodge at 9:45am.  

Equipment: Each participant must have up to date equipment including, boots, skis or snowboard, poles, ski break device, or leashes, and bindings, which have been specifically adjusted to fit the skiers or boarders boots. All equipment must be in good working condition and checked by a ski shop tech before program starts. Warm ski gear and goggles are a must! A sponsor of our program, Grass Roots Outdoor is a great option for gear, equipment and rentals. They are located in Everett on Everett Mall Way. Plan in advance, equipment is limited! 425-423-0717 www.grosno.com. 
Please mark all your gear. If you lose something contact your chaperone. Snowboards MUST have leashes on them. Participants are responsible for their own gear and any electronics or clothing brought on the bus. 
 
Helmets: For safety reasons we highly recommend ALL participants wear helmets. http://www.lidsonkids.com 

Clothing: Youth should have a ski parka, ski pants, top and bottom thermal underwear, warm shirt, sweater, hat, warm socks, and ski gloves.  We recommend that youth bring an old backpack with their lunch and extra clothing or rain gear.  There is no access to the bus during the day, so they will need to carry everything they need with them to the mountain and use a locker.  Contact Stevens Pass about locker options. 

Chaperones:  Our chaperones on the bus this year are Jon Gabelein, Debbie Hogan. If your child has a problem or question, chaperones can usually be found upstairs in the Granite Peak Lodge throughout the day.  They can also find any Clancy Ski School employee if they need help.  

Emergencies: You will be contacted immediately in the event of an emergency.  Make sure to provide an emergency number where someone can be reached.  In the event of an injury where a participant cannot be transported by other means, you may be required to pick up your child at the mountain. 

Videos: Busses are DVD, VCR & CD equipped.  Participants are welcome to bring PG movies to watch on the bus.  Ski/snowboard movies are a good choice.

Late Bus: If the buses are running late, you will be contacted by one of our chaperones or met at the bus stop. 

Extra riders: We have seats available for one time riders. If someone you know is interested in riding the bus on a Saturday they must pre-register online at SWPRD by the Thursday prior to travel at www.swparks.org.  Riders must be at least 13 years old and experienced on the mountain. The cost is $45 per trip. 
Your seat is transferable- If someone else will be taking your child’s seat on the bus, that person must have a release form signed by their parents in order to ride on the bus, this form is their ticket on the bus. They must be at least 13 years old and experienced on the mountain. If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office 221-5484 or email  parkfun@whidbey.com   
Information and registration can be found on our website ~ www.swparks.org  

Alternate Travel Arrangements: If your child's travel arrangements are altered in any way from those listed as the pickup and drop off locations on their registration form, they MUST have a note signed and dated from their parent, with details on alternate arrangements, including a name of who will pick them up and your phone number.  This includes being dropped off at Mukilteo or staying at pass with a parent or friend.  Parents must accept full responsibility for any alternate arrangements. 

Photos: Throughout the season we may take photos of the participants for our website or new release. If you do not want your child’s photo published please let us know. We encourage the participants to share their photos, if you have any fun photos of the Snowrider program that you would like to share please email them to parkfun@whidbey.com .

Rules: Please take the time to read and fully understand the rules on the following page.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me by email parkfun@whidbey.com,  our office 360-221-5484, or check out our web site for more information. www.swparks.org  For your information, this letter will be posted on our website after the program starts.

Links:
Stevens Pass info and snow report- www.stevenspass.com , Ski School- www.clanc.com 
Weather- www.atmos.washington.edu/data/zone_report.KSEW.html ,
Great deals on gear- www.backcountry.com , www.sierratradingpost.com/ , www.campmor.com, www.grosno.com  

We look forward to another great ski season!

Sincerely,

Kim Andrews
Snowrider Supervisor 

RULES
Please make sure your child reads and understands the rules for the Snowrider program.

We expect to have an excellent year together!  However, for the safety and enjoyment of everyone, there will be some rules and expectations that participants must obey.  Please remember that any misconduct deemed serious enough by the coordinator or head chaperone could result in expulsion from the Snowrider Program without refund, as well as the District’s disciplinary procedures.  

•	Understand that SWPRD and Clancy’s Ski School has a policy of Zero Tolerance for alcohol, tobacco, drug use and inappropriate behavior.  

On the Bus:
•	Please be sensitive to the serious job the bus driver and chaperones have in making your trip as safe as possible.  Without these chaperones and drivers, this program would not be possible.  ALWAYS SHOW RESPECT TO THE DRIVER, CHAPERONES AND FELLOW PASSENGERS. 
•	Youth are not allowed to return to or ENTER the bus while at the Pass until 15 minutes before the announced return time and there is a chaperone present. 
•	Please keep the bus clean.  Youth clean-up groups will be formed by chaperones.
•	For safety reasons, glass containers will not be allowed on the bus.
•	Please remain on the bus while the driver installs or removes chains.
•	No lighters or matches on the bus. 
•	Please remain seated and reasonably quiet while bus is moving.
•	Bus windows are never to be opened at any time.
•	Please keep all windows clear, do not obstruct with gear, signs or your body.
•	To prevent expensive damage, youth are to keep off seat backs and avoid placing or leaning equipment on the seats or against bus.
•	Please keep your skis and poles fastened together when loading.
On the Ferry
•	The ferry is a public environment.  Please do not infringe on the rights of the general public with excessive noise or movement. i.e. running, yelling or climbing across furniture.  WSF can and will limit our access to the upstairs.

Lessons
•	Skiers and boarders are to attend all 6 lessons. They need to be mindful of time and not be late.  Morning classes leave the meeting area at 10am, afternoon classes leave at 1pm. Plan on showing up at the lesson meeting place 10 minutes early. 

On the Mountain
•	Be aware that there is a minimum $1000 fine for rescue attempts in out-of-bounds areas, that you will be responsible for, in the event of a rescue. This includes anything beyond the orange posted signs stating ski area boundary. 

Snow Rider Responsibility Code- KNOW THE CODE, IT’S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
Regardless of whether you ski or snowboard, always show courtesy to others and be aware that there are elements of risk in skiing that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce. 

•	Ski or ride under control and in such a manner that you can stop and avoid other people and objects.
•	When skiing or riding and overtaking another person, avoid the people below you.
•	Do not stop where you obstruct a trail or are not visible from above.
•	When entering a trail or starting downhill, yield to other skiers and snowboarders.
•	All skiers and snowboarders shall use devices to help prevent runaway skis and boards.
•	Stay off closed trails and posted areas and observe all posted signs.
•	Prior to using any lift, you must have knowledge and ability to load, ride and unload safely.