Wednesday, February 9, 2005
Contrary to what a lot of students may think, a snowboarding and skiing facility exists less than 90 minutes away. Snow Creek, in Weston, Mo., provides easy access for snowboarders and skiers who are unable to make the drive to the Rocky Mountains.
Granted, it is a little lacking in comparison to Colorado, but Snow Creek offers an inexpensive opportunity to hone the skills needed to rip it up in Breckenridge or Vail. The mountain will remain open as long as possible, usually early or mid-March.
Stacey Archambault, a KU student from Colorado who has been a snowboard instructor at Snow Creek for three years, is frustrated by the bad rap Snow Creek gets being compared to bigger mountains.
“I always hear people on campus talking about what a great snowboarder or skier they are, and how many times they get out to Colorado each year. Then I ask how many times they get out to the Creek and they’ll say something like, ‘whatever, that place sucks,’” she said. “I grew up in Colorado. Like it or not, it’s the Midwest. At least we have something.”
For those who like to snowboard or ski, Colorado is only an option during extended breaks. On top of that, money is always an issue, and a Colorado trip will set skiers or snowboarders back at least a couple hundred dollars. Lift tickets at Snow Creek are $45 ($58 total if you’re renting a snowboard).
Archambault said the conditions in Weston are good right now, with Snow Creek advertising a 72” base of snow. Typically, the morning and night hours offer a much more compact snow as opposed to the slush that accumulates through the day when the snow is melting, she said.
Omar Lindt, Kingman senior, said he visited Snow Creek last year and was impressed by a snowboard run so close to Lawrence.
“They have pretty good jumps, but on a given run you can only hit one or two of the jumps before getting back on the lift and going back to the top. Still, it’s pretty good practice for going to bigger mountains.”
He said it took a little less than 1 minute to complete a run and 2 or 3 minutes to take the lift back to the top.
The quickest way to get to Snow Creek, Archambault said, is through Leavenworth. Take U.S. Highway 92 through Leavenworth and head north on U.S. Highway 45. That highway runs right by Snow Creek. For up-to-the-hour conditions, visit www.skisnowcreek.com.
Snow Creek’s hours are Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sundays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Monday through Friday from noon to 9 p.m., with midnight sessions starting at 10 p.m. and lasting until 2 in the morning.
Edited by Jennifer Voldness
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