The last of a brief season with good weather and snow
Many of our kids have the opportunity to ski during vacation. When you come back, let us know where you have been and what kind of runs you skied or boarded. A reclassification may be in order if you took lessons or had some instruction while on that trip.
The Bus START TIMES for Saturday, March 12th - changes this week. Bus return times can be found on the website under the "More Info" tab. All members on buses are asked to call or text their parents 20-30 minutes before we get to their stop. We loan our phones for that purpose. Make certain you also convey that message to your child.
Lincoln Park - 7 AM. There are two buses leaving from Lincoln Park at 7AM.
River Forest - 7 AM. There is one bus leaving from River Forest.
Hyde Park - 7 AM, Hyde Park needs to leave on time at 7 AM as it is picking up at Winnemac Park
Winnemac Park - 7:30 AM. Bus leaving from Winnemac
Oak Brook - 7:30 AM. Bus coming from River Forest
Old Orchard/Skokie - No one scheduled from Old Orchard
Schaumburg - 8:10 AM bus is coming from Oak Brook
Park Ridge/Des Plaines - 7:45 AM. Bus is coming from Lincoln Park
Half Day Rd/Bannockburn - 7:50 AM. Bus is coming from Lincoln Park
This schedule is specific to the Week 13 trip. Times may be adjusted over the season as the routes may vary. The routes change each week depending on the membership.
Please ensure your child(ren) have not been exposed to Covid prior to the trip and remain in a 5-day quarantine as directed by the CDC and CDPH (Chicago Department of Public Health). Face Masks are required on the bus and in communal indoor areas. This will be strictly enforced.
All equipment should be labeled. All kids need helmets, skiers must have poles, and snowboarders need a safety leash. Kids should have enough money for lunch, or bring a lunch. No large bags - just what they need for the day like gloves, pants, jacket, gaiter or balaclava, Covid face masks, and goggles. Wear the clothing you are going to ski or board in.
DRIVING UP
If you are driving up, you must check in at the Blizzard Desk to receive your lift ticket and your Blizzard Membership card (if you don’t already have it.) The Blizzard desk is in the FairView bldg to the far right of all the buildings as you face the slopes. If your child needs to be classified (first time with Blizzard and not a rank beginner) you must be there around 9 AM. You are not required to sign out your child if you drove them to Alpine, but do arrange to pick up any personal belongings you leave in the Blizzard area before we leave and do our sweep of the area.
"Can I pick up my kid and their friends from Wilmot or Alpine?" (Taken from the FAQ section on the website)
If you are picking up your child or anyone else's child from Wilmot or Alpine, we need two things. One, is a note that is given to the Bus Captain of the originating bus, from each parent on the morning of the trip. Second, you need to be at the area prior to our departure at 2:45 PM so we can ensure that you have coordinated with your child and whomever is leaving with you. Please arrange to meet your kid(s) at the Blizzard area prior to 2:30 PM, share your ID with us, and sign out the departing members. This is a liability issue for us and we will hold up the departure of the entire club if someone is missing, delayed, or has been taken without our knowledge. If you do not sign out your child(ren), it holds up the entire club from departing.
LOST & FOUND - PLEASE ASK TO SEE WHAT WE HAVE. Pictures help immensely
The Lost & Found generally travels with the club up to Alpine each week. We are working on pictures of items we have. While we have gloves and hats and accessories, we know that kids have swapped ski poles and are missing poles. These are the more critical items as ski poles are mandatory for lessons. Please share with me any missing poles or swapped poles so I can investigate. Alpine has a Lost & Found area as well, but they will not do a comprehensive search for missing items. This weekend we will undertake an extensive search through their stash to see if any of our missing property can be located. If you are missing skis and poles, I need a detailed description, even a picture, of the missing item to assist our search.
GET A JUMP ON EQUIPMENT
You may not realize this, but much of our ski equipment is manufactured in Europe - specifically eastern Europe. I've been warned that allotments for new equipment will close in April, so shops are ordering now for next winter. Here's one savvy shop that is trying to win our business
The Arc'teryx Bucktown Outlet location is formally inviting Blizzard to our end of season ski sale that will be held at the shop March 25th - 27th . We are giving ski and snowboard clubs an additional 20% off any purchase, excluding our clearance and Veilance section in the shop.
We are going to do more about boot, ski and equipment swaps later this summer, as many members have both outgrown, and seldomly used equipment to pass to the next enthusiast.
