Are you ready for a ski trip, but don't have the time or the money to fly to Colorado, Vermont or the Swiss Alps?
The solution is right here in the Show Me state.
Never give skiing a passing thought? Maybe you should.
Believe it or not skiing in Missouri is not an oxymoron. In fact, the sport is fairly popular.
Now in its 17th season, Hidden Valley ski resort offers several snowy slopes for skiers and a special "Jurassic Snowpark" full of jumps and bumps for snowboard enthusiasts.
Nestled in Rockwood forest, 20 minutes west of St. Louis, the ski lodge is popular with the locals, offering five intermediate and three beginner slopes.
Even on a near-balmy day last week there was plenty of snow to keep the slopes busy with skiers.
But skiing in Missouri?
How does a state not generally known for its winter sports attract people to here to ski?
"It's difficult to get people to go south to ski," Hidden Valley manager Kent Graham admitted, but he said plenty of clients are willing to head north from Oklahoma, Arkansas and Tennessee to hit Missouri slopes.
Graham describes Hidden Valley ski resort as a "neighborhood" ski slope, drawing its regulars from a 100-mile radius.
Hidden Valley is one of three ski areas which make up Peak Resorts, nicknamed "the ring of fire" because the trio make snow and survive in temperatures that would melt other ski lodges.
Sister resorts are Snow Creek, near Kansas City, and Paoli Peaks in Paoli, Ind.
Graham said the goal is to stay open mid-December through mid March, but the resort's schedule is at the mercy of Mother Nature.
So far this winter has been pretty good.
Last season was the third shortest season ever at Hidden Valley, but its sister resort in Kansas City, Snow Creek, had its best season ever.
"It's very much like being a farmer, we rely on the weather," Graham said. He said Hidden Valley doesn't rely on natural snow, instead uses more than 40 snow-making towers to keep the slopes covered.
The snow "cannons" are capable of making enough snow to cover dry slopes to operate the resort in just 36 hours.
Graham said all major ski resorts make their own snow.
After-school programs keep the hills filled with area students on winter field trips as the resort continues to expand its school program.
This season, more than 5,000 students from grades 5-8 in more than 100 Missouri and Illinois schools will participate.
The ski resort also includes a private, year-round golf club. Membership in the club also includes free ski passes.
"On weekends we often have people who ski in the mornings then turn around and shoot a round of golf in the afternoon," Graham said.
The resort has a 90-member ski patrol, many of whom also work as emergency medical technicians and firefighters.
The increasing popularity of snowboarding prompted the resort to offer snowboard lessons about three years ago.
"Now the percentage of snowboard students is similar to those on skis," said Merle Millar, director of the ski school.
Some 75 certified ski instructors offer ski and snowboard lessons for students of all abilities.
A new type of ski is helping beginners learn to ski more quickly and experienced skiers perform even better. Hidden Valley's rental shop keeps 1,000 new pair of the newer "hourglass" skis that help skiers attain greater maneuverability. The shaped skis are quickly becoming the skiing industry standard.
Hours and rates
Snow pass rates are $19 weekdays, $29 weekends and holidays; with ski equipment rental $40 weekdays and $50 weekends.
To reach Hidden Valley, exit off Interstate 44 southwest of St. Louis at Highway 109 in Eureka. The resort opens from 1 to 10 p.m. weekdays, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. The slopes are open from midnight to 6 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Details about conditions can be obtained by calling the snow report Line at 314-938-6999, or visit the Web site at www.hiddenvalleyski.com
Skier's and Snowboarder's responsiblity code:
-- Always stay in control and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.
-- People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
-- Don't stop where you obstruct a trail or are not visible from above.
-- When starting downhill or merging into a trail, look uphill and yield to others.
-- Observe all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
-- Prior to using a lift, make sure you know how to get on and off safely.
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