Frequently Asked Questions

  • Do I have to know how to ski or snowboard in order to join?
    No.  Many students join who have never been on skis before.  Novice skiers/snowboarders must sign up for lessons, however.  Stevens Pass Ski School has well-qualified instructors with a student/teacher ratio of about 6:1.
  • May I cancel ski lessons if I decide I don’t want them later in the season?
    In general, no, except in the event of an injury that a doctor says will exclude you from participating.  Attendance will be taken each lesson.
  • Is the program well chaperoned?
    Yes.  Faculty and staff, adult alumni, parents and their friends all serve as chaperones.  In addition, we also have an emergency vehicle available each trip.  A chaperone is on call at all times at a designated location should any emergency arise.
  • May I come up for only one or two times if I am unable to sign up for the entire season?
    Yes.  Just sign up for the days you can attend.  If you don't know which dates you can attend, you can participate as a one-time participant.  There will be some spaces reserved for one timers on a first come, first served basis.  Reservations must be given to Ms. Yara by Wednesday before each trip.  You will need to (a) pay $40 for the bus ride before or upon boarding the bus, and (b) turn in a parent/student signed Release of Liability form (just one for the season) prior to boarding the bus.  These forms will be in the Main Office.  One-timers purchase their own lift tickets at the ticket office window at Stevens.  Or they may purchase them from students who are selling them.  Check the Ski bulletin board in the gym hallway for postings of tickets for sale by students.  Note: The Ski Program is not responsible for any transactions between students.
  • If I sign up for the season but am unable to come for one trip, can I sell my bus seat and lift ticket or get a refund?
    If you know you will only be going up on a certain amount of days, then prepurchase tickets for ONLY those days.  Once the season has started, there are no refunds given (only exceptional valid reasons will be taken into consideration).  Check the dates carefully and plan ahead.  It can save you the headache of having to sell or risk wasting the ticket.  If you need to cancel, however, and wish to sell your ticket, you must make the arrangements yourself and notify Ms. Yara as to who will be your replacement.  We will not sell your ticket for you.  You may use the bulletin board in the gym to post messages to sell or buy tickets. 
  • How, When and Where do we bring ski gear?
    On Friday mornings, students will be responsible for bringing all of their gear for that evening.  We will store skis and snowboards in the hallway just inside the Pumadome.  Ski bags and boots will be locked in the unused bathrooms in the same location.  Equipment may not be stored for longer periods of time unless we have to suddenly cancel a trip due to poor conditions.  No gear is to be left outside or in any other location (except locked cars). 
  • Are there financial aid dollars available for this program?
    Yes.  The student must be a current University Prep student and their family must already qualify for and receive financial aid.  Contact Tee-Ta Walker in the Admission Office for details.
  • Can I be picked up at Steven’s?
    In general, these situations are prearranged by the parents/guardians prior to the trip departure and are approved depending on the situation.  Please notify Ms. Yara as soon as possible so that your situation can be evaluated.  Have your parents/guardians sign you out at the chaperones' table in Granite Peaks Lodge.  Bottom line is the school needs to be released of any responsibility and liability.   However, we will NOT leave any student behind alone.  If no adult is there to pick you up, you are returning on the bus.
  • If I miss a ski trip, can I get a refund for my lift ticket?
    Unfortunately, there are no refunds for missing a ski trip due to the prepaid tickets issued.  However, I would encourage you to try and sell your lift ticket to a “one timer."  It would solve both problems.  Chaperones will use the extra tickets.  If you know in advance that you will not be able to attend a ski date in which you paid for a lift ticket, you can sell your lift ticket by posting a note on the bulletin board in the gym hallway.
  • If I didn’t sign up for rentals, can I still rent from Steven’s?
    Since we prepaid for everything at the beginning of the season, you will need to arrange any rental of equipment directly from Stevens as a self-pay.  The number is 206.812.4510. 
  • When do I change into my Ski clothes and boots?
    Change into only your long underwear prior to boarding the bus.  You will not have time to change into your ski gear before we depart.  When we arrive at Stevens, you may change into your ski/snowboarding gear.
  • What about my school backpack?
    Leave your backpacks in the Commons before we depart for Stevens.  Upon our arrival, the Commons will be opened to let everyone get their school bags and to use the restroom.
  • Where is the Bellevue Pick-up?
    The Bellevue drop-off site is an optional drop-off site for those living on the Eastside.  You need to be present at the Bellevue site when the buses arrive.  If you are late, the bus will take your son/daughter back to school.  Buses will arrive at approximately 11:30 p.m.

    Bellevue Drop Site is South Kirkland Metro Park & Ride.  The address is 10610 NE 38th Pl.  

    Directions:  From 520, take the 108th exit and you'll see the parking lot off of the exit.
  • Can I chaperone?
    Of course!  We have never turned down any chaperone.  Chaperones are provided a free lift ticket in return for their services, which include taking attendance on the bus, keeping the bus ride orderly and clean, and taking turns being on-call in the lodge for emergencies.  Contact Laura Caldwell if you are interested in volunteering.
  • What time does the bus leave and return to the school?

    Date                                      Depart                Return

    January 8                           3 p.m.               Midnight

    January  15                        3 p.m.               Midnight

    January 22(Day trip)        1:30 p.m.        Midnight   

    January 29                          3 p.m.                Midnight

    February 5                        3 p.m.                Midnight

    February 26                        3 p.m.                Midnight      

    March  5                         3 p.m.                Midnight     


     

  • Can I invite a guest or family member that is not a University Prep student?
    Yes, you can.  They need to fill out the required forms as well.  If they are old enough to ski/snowboard unsupervised, they need to have a "ski buddy." If they are younger in age, they need to be supervised by a parent/guardian.  The chaperones are not responsible for supervising young children.  It is usually easier for parents/guardians in these situations to be chaperones, which will cover their bus and lift tickets for the night, since the majority of the duties are required on the bus ride.
  • For students who will be droped off at Bellevue, do they bring their school backpacks on the bus?
    Yes, they bring their backpacks with them on the bus and they can be stored in the bus during the ski trip.  The bus will be locked the entire time it is at Stevens until the driver returns to open it up at 9:30 p.m.
  • What do I do with the Rental equipment?
    For renters, they have to bring all equipment back with them.  Stevens issues the rental equipment for the duration of the entire Ski Program scheduled dates.  So all renters are responsible for bringing their equipment home after each trip.  Of course on the last trip, they will leave them there.  They just need to remember to bring some shoes to walk back to the bus with at the end of the last evening.
  • The make-up date is only to make up if one of the scheduled ski day is cancelled, not for someone to make up if they missed a ski day. Right?

    This year we do not have a make-up day available to us due to a conflict with Middle School sports. 

  • What time do the lessons start on the day trip?
    The lessons start at 6 p.m. on all days, including the day trip.