Facebook Discussion

Have any memories of the the Good Ol' Days at BV? Our very own Laurie Miller Dickinson has started collecting these stories on Facebook. So if you have a memory you'd like to share, just do a Facebook search for Buena Vista Ski Area and click on the discussion tab. You can also become a fan to get Laurie's updates. See you there.

Snowmaking!

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Many thanks to the crew that keeps this going 'round the clock!

Why Not? by Sabrina Wille Erickson

I've known for a while now that I prefer the monotony of my office chair to the exhilaration of flying down a snowy hill. I've accepted my complete lack of yearning for adventure. In contrast to my static energy, I've noticed that other people - the younger generation especially - are much more apt to fling themselves through the air than I am. My own teenagers crave the experience, in fact. So it seemed a no-brainer to me that the best way to commemorate BV's 60th Anniversary would be to open up a new and improved Terrain Park.

Surprisingly, snapping my fingers didn't build me a park. And the forecast for such a change was rather bleak at first. Being completely ignorant of all things snowmaking, I asked the dumb question: "Why Not?" And once again I learned that there is more to running a ski hill than meets the eye.

The obvious location for a new Park was the East Face (Formerly known as the Backside. Try marketing THAT!) The...say it with me now..."East Face" has this gloriously wide, gentle slope that just screams TERRAIN PARK! Everyone at BV has known this for years. So WHY didn't the move happen a long time ago?

The right moment...the right PEOPLE...that's what it takes.

Quite by accident I had a conversation with Jack Deleo from No Comply Sports & Apparel early this fall, and I discovered he has a passion for our little ski hill. More specifically, he has a passion for terrain features. After relaying the conversation to our Outdoor Manager and Snowmaker Extraordinaire, John Dickinson, we decided the big move was theoretically possible. But several obstacles needed to be overcome first. John got Suzanne Thomas (BV Owner) on board...Kirby Harmon gave us Ski Patrol insight, and Jack did an informal poll of his customers. We didn't know it at the time, but a small group of key people were starting to form a terrain park team.

Let there be LIGHT.

One of the major shortcomings of the East Face is that it has never had the lighting to support a major feature like a park. Don Thomas and John fixed that problem recently by trenching in a new electrical line and installing a light pole. Warm weather is good for some things.

Smile for the CAMERA.

Jack said that the parents he had talked to wanted to be able to see the cool tricks their kids were doing. One used to have to stand at the bottom of the hill and look upward to see terrain park events. Wasn't that cold? Did parents hoot and holler when their offspring did something fantastic? Did this embarrass the offspring? I'll probably never know the answers to these questions as I stick to the Chalet where it's warm.

Perhaps the new web cam, piping fresh images to a screen, will benefit both ends of the spectrum: Blaze like a comet through the atmosphere and keep the relatives at a distance. Mike Huerbin and John are busy investigating weather-proof cameras to install on one of the towers. The aim is to give folks in the Chalet a bird's eye view of the fun happening in the park. And eventually, this footage will be online for even Grandma in St. Paul to see.

Let's not forget SAFETY.

Our fine hill tends to block communication transmissions. That's why you see people trekking to the far side of the Bunny Hill or standing on tiptoe by the entrance gate on Irvine Avenue. Cell phones and radios don't always cooperate out here, especially if one person is on the East Face and the other is on the West Face. A fancy, technical thing called a repeater is required to transmit across the ridge...or an extra person needs to stand on top of the hill. Guess which one we are hoping to install soon?

And even though no one wants to think about getting hurt, what if someone does get hurt? The Buena Vista Ski Patrol is committed to providing the best immediate care possible. They are mighty, indeed; but I doubt any of them could ski up and over the ridge while pulling a sled. Maybe I should be more diplomatic...let's just say I doubt any of them would want to. Currently, plans are in the works to have a designated snowmobile available to the East Face at all times.

Now you have a glimpse of the hurdles my little question unearthed. I ardently admire the enthusiasm and dedication the Terrain Park Team has brought to this endeavor. So what are you going to notice when you get here and head on up the hill? At least 5 new features and a completely new vibe...a park that has been designed for cool stunts by people that like to do cool stunts. I'm keeping my own feet on solid ground, but to the rest of you..."enjoy the air!"

Season Passes on Sale Now!

Unlimited Season Lift Pass Buy Now!

Youth 6-15 years old $160 + 11.00tax = $171.00

Student 16-18 years old $180 + 12.38tax = $192.38

College: Photo ID & Fee Statement showing12 or more credits required $180 + 12.38tax = $192.38

Senior 62+ years $160 + 11.00tax = $171.00

Adult 18+ years $220 + 15.13tax = $235.13

Family of 2 $410 + 28.19tax = $438.19
Family of 3 $520 + 35.75tax = $555.75
Family of 4 $560 + 38.50tax = $598.50
Family of 5 $595 + 40.91tax = $635.91
Family of 6 $630 + 43.31tax = $673.31
Family of 7 or more add 37.41(tax included) per person

Immediate Family Members Only for Family Season Passes
Season Pass Sales are final – No refunds

Unlimited Season Rentals

Buy Now!

First Timer Rental
Ski / Board pkg Rental. For new pass holders and members returning after 3 or more years

$65 + 4.47tax = $69.47

Ski Rental Full ski package

$85 + 5.84tax = $90.84

All Rental Full ski & board package

$125 + 8.59tax = $133.59

5 year old & under pkg

$50 + 3.44tax = $53.44

Season Lockers Buy Now!

$65 + 4.47tax = $69.47

Benefits
10% off items in the Buena Vista Ski Shop

10% off selected items at No Comply in Bemidji
10% off selected accessories at The Home Place in Bemidji
10% off snowboards at Play-It-Again Sports in Bemidji

Skiing and Boarding Discounts
All pass holders will be entitled to skiing discounts at the following resorts

Andes Tower, Alexandria, MN - $5.00 off a lift ticket
Powder Ridge Ski Area, Kimball, MN - $5.00 off a lift ticket
Red Lodge Mountain Resort, Red Lodge, MT – ½ day rate on all day lift ticket
Spirit Mountain, Duluth, MN - $10.00 off adult extended ticket (full day) $7.00 off child extended ticket (full day)

Scout 4H Days

Buena Vista Ski Area

Scout 4H Days

Saturday & Sunday

December 12 & 13, 2009

Skiing & Boarding 10am – 5pm

No Minimum number required!
Check-in on 3rd Floor

$12 Lift Ticket (any age)

$10 Ski Package

$20 Board/Ski Combo Package

This day is for all 4H and SCOUT Members and their Families
Children 5 & under receive free lift ticket with paying adult


Bemidji, MN
218-243-2231 groups@bvskiarea.com

Are You New?

Buena Vista wants you to

LOVE

skiing or snowboarding.

But maybe you are new to this whole "down hill" experience?

Maybe you want to try both sports to see which one you like best.

Or maybe buying unfamiliar equipment seems daunting.

Perhaps your youngster is going to be needing different sized equipment every year while she is still growing.

Or maybe your kid is growing so fast you're worried that his shoes aren't going to fit him next month!

Perhaps this just isn't the best time for you to invest in personal snow gear...

Then take advantage of our

FIRST TIMER SPECIAL!

This is a season-long, unlimited rental agreement that gives you the option of trying skis one day and a snowboard the next.

Figure out what you like about down hill sports and the required gear.

Grow all you want to! Our rental shop always has the next biggest size.

Make things easy for your pocketbook until you are ready to invest in your sport.

It makes sense.

You just want fun...without the hassle.

You got it!

cu@bv

This offer is available to persons that have never been a member of Buena Vista Ski Area or who have not been members in 3 or more years.