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Missouri's two ski areas, Hidden Valley in Wildwood near St. Louis, and Snow Creek in Weston, north of Kansas City, are now fully open for the 2012 season.
The state's ski resorts rely almost entirely on machine-made snow.
Hidden Valley opened Wednesday — one of the latest opening dates in its 29 years — and plans to operate into March.
Snow Creek was able to partially open on schedule in December, and now has all runs open.
Hidden Valley, one of the southern-most ski areas in the nation, generally experiences a greater variance in temperature swings than does Snow Creek and had to delay opening this season.
Colder temperatures in recent days have allowed both resorts to operate extensive, high efficiency snow-making systems non-stop.
Ideal snow-making conditions consist of temperatures in the 20s and low humidity.
Hidden Valley is the older of the two ski areas marking its 29th season, while Snow Creek is enjoying its 26th year.
While skiers and snow boarders from multiple states visit Missouri's ski areas, a newer attraction snow "tubing" is attracting a new clientele - no skills required.
Hidden Valley and Snow Creek operate separate snow tubing areas where people one tube at the time can enjoy plunging downhill in a large 41-inch canvass-covered tube.
"Polar Plunge" at Hidden Valley has runs 650 feet top to bottom.
Today many visitors to ski areas prefer snow "boarding."
Hidden Valley and Snow Creek create "terrain parks" for this mostly younger crowed, with jumps and challenging features that equal those found at larger resorts.
Hidden Valley and Snow Creek also offer on-going classes.
More than 10,000 elementary and junior high school students representing approximately 200 private and public schools in Missouri, Kansas and Illinois participate in an introductory skiing field trip program.
Both ski areas also offer programs for disabled skiers.
With the help of dedicated coaches, disabled athletes including returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan enjoy the slopes each season.
Skiers can check out snow reports and get rate information for each ski area online at www.skipeaks.com.
Information also is available by calling Hidden Valley at (636) 938-5373 and Snow Creek at (816) 640-2200
Both ski areas also are on Facebook and Twitter.
Hidden Valley and Snow Creek are part of Peak Resorts headquartered in St. Louis.
Peak Resorts operates 12 ski areas scattered around the East and the Midwest.
Missouri's two ski areas, Hidden Valley in Wildwood near St. Louis, and Snow Creek in Weston, north of Kansas City, are now fully open for the 2012 season.
The state's ski resorts rely almost entirely on machine-made snow.
Hidden Valley opened Wednesday — one of the latest opening dates in its 29 years — and plans to operate into March.
Snow Creek was able to partially open on schedule in December, and now has all runs open.
Hidden Valley, one of the southern-most ski areas in the nation, generally experiences a greater variance in temperature swings than does Snow Creek and had to delay opening this season.
Colder temperatures in recent days have allowed both resorts to operate extensive, high efficiency snow-making systems non-stop.
Ideal snow-making conditions consist of temperatures in the 20s and low humidity.
Hidden Valley is the older of the two ski areas marking its 29th season, while Snow Creek is enjoying its 26th year.
While skiers and snow boarders from multiple states visit Missouri's ski areas, a newer attraction snow "tubing" is attracting a new clientele - no skills required.
Hidden Valley and Snow Creek operate separate snow tubing areas where people one tube at the time can enjoy plunging downhill in a large 41-inch canvass-covered tube.
"Polar Plunge" at Hidden Valley has runs 650 feet top to bottom.
Today many visitors to ski areas prefer snow "boarding."
Hidden Valley and Snow Creek create "terrain parks" for this mostly younger crowed, with jumps and challenging features that equal those found at larger resorts.
Hidden Valley and Snow Creek also offer on-going classes.
More than 10,000 elementary and junior high school students representing approximately 200 private and public schools in Missouri, Kansas and Illinois participate in an introductory skiing field trip program.
Both ski areas also offer programs for disabled skiers.
With the help of dedicated coaches, disabled athletes including returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan enjoy the slopes each season.
Skiers can check out snow reports and get rate information for each ski area online at www.skipeaks.com.
Information also is available by calling Hidden Valley at (636) 938-5373 and Snow Creek at (816) 640-2200
Both ski areas also are on Facebook and Twitter.
Hidden Valley and Snow Creek are part of Peak Resorts headquartered in St. Louis.
Peak Resorts operates 12 ski areas scattered around the East and the Midwest.
