Dear Snow Sport Enthusiast:

 

Included:
Confirmation Information
COVID-19 Protocols
Discount Ski Pass Information
Class Schedule
Cancellation Policies
Maps
Best Practices for Winter Sports

Confirmation Information:
Your receipt was your confirmation when you registered electronically.
Please contact SKIBACS at info@skibacs.org or (206) 400-7542 if you did not receive it.

COVID PROTOCOLS:

 

 

Cancellation of Lessons
The weather conditions in the mountains may force us to cancel class. If we have enough advanced notice we will try to post lesson cancellations recorded on the SKIBACS receptionist line, 206-400-7542 or sign up to receive SMS notices on your mobile phone. Please call before leaving, even if the weather looks good down in town. Cancelled classes will be made up the week following our last normally scheduled class. Also, do not ‘assume’ classes are cancelled, if it is raining and storming in town. Often, it may be coming down as snow at the mountain, and we love skiing while it’s snowing. Again, simply call beforehand or sign up to use our SMS system. At times, the road closes, or conditions change too close to the lesson start time for us to get notice out. We apologize in advance for not being able to notify you in these cases, but be forewarned that this is a mountain sport, and that unfortunate circumstance comes with the territory.

SMS System
This is a great, easy to use service, where we can send the quickest status for lesson changes to your cell phone. See the information box on the bottom of our home page to sign up. www.skibacs.org

 

Location
To be clear, SKIBACS operates out of Summit at Snoqualmie CENTRAL.
Snoqualmie ski area is actually several ski areas that are apart from each other. Each year, some folks go to the wrong area, usually Summit, West. So if you see a gas station nearby, or a hotel, those are over by Summit, West. Keep driving south/east on the Route 906 access road for another mile or so, and you’ll come up on Central.

Look for CENTRAL sign.
Maps & Directions:
Summit Central is located on Snoqualmie Pass. Take Exit 53 off of I-90; turn west (right) to a “T” intersection, then turn south (left).

Best Practices for Winter Sports Activities in the Mountains:
General Clothing Principles

Weather in the mountains changes quickly, so always be prepared. Keep in mind that the weather can range from below zero to very warm, from sunshine to snow or rain, thus dressing in layers allows the best flexibility. Cotton clothing should be avoided, and in no case should anyone wear cotton gloves, hats or socks.

Yes, this is the Pacific Northwest and we’ll ski/ride even if it’s a light rain.

Suggestions:
Base Layer: thermal, long sleeved underwear; fabrics that wick sweat away from the body is best.
Insulating Layer: turtleneck or sweater with lofting properties like wool or polypro fleece.
Outer Layer: wind- and rain-proof pants and parka (consider carrying an additional cheap rain slicker if it’s really soggy).
Extremities: water resistant gloves or mittens, wool hat and socks, well-fitting goggles and a face mask!
Bring: Sun-block and sunglasses.
Parents – the little ones lose heat much faster than adults, therefore well-covered extremities (head and hands – NO cotton gloves) are essential to keeping them warm overall. Generally, layering is the key for everyone.

Equipment
We expect students to come to class with properly selected and adjusted equipment. Your instructor will teach students, particularly beginners, how to put on the skis and snowboards. However, your instructor will not be equipped to make adjustments to your equipment. This is particularly true of binding adjustments. If you have a persistent problem, your instructor will send you to the area shop. The shop will probably charge a modest fee. If your skis or snowboard have not been tuned (bases waxed or edges sharpened) for a long while, this can, depending on the conditions, seriously hamper your success on snow. Please make an effort to visit a shop to have this taken care of. It can also be a good time to have your bindings properly checked and adjusted if you have not done so recently.
Snowboarders – please be sure to check that you have a leash (all boards must have a board runaway preventive device) with you board and/or boots. Also, a stomp pad (a small piece of rubber glued onto the board right in front of the back binding) is a necessity. Do not leave the shop without one mounted to your board.
Some studies have correlated a reduction in number and severity of wrist injuries while snowboarding with wearing wrist guards. Although not required for lessons, it’s left to the individual to decide upon this level of protection.
Parents – we allow children to use ski poles in our lessons, although the instructor may have the poles set aside at certain times so that the children do not improperly rely on them.
Helmets – we encourage the use of helmets. Although not a requirement for lesson, falls and collisions are a reality of our mountain sport, and reducing the chances of a concussion is an unarguably good thing. Besides, ski/snowboard helmets take the place of ski hats, keeping heads warm and dry on snowy days.