Parent-Sponsored ALL SCHOOL Family Ski Weekend

February 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, and 24th, 2008 — the 2nd weekend of midwinter break  

If you haven’t tried this TOPS tradition before, try it this winter.   The latter part of our mid-winter break leaves the Mission Ridge slopes with plenty of dry snow, bright sun, and a smashing view of the Columbia River.  It’s easy to caravan or carpool with other families.  Bring a student friend or two.  Some families arrive as early as Wednesday, some not until Friday or Saturday. Mission Ridge is a great family mountain with gentle terrain for the young skier, steeper drops and bowls for the thrill seeker and even an airplane wing monument to a bomber plane wreck that occurred half a century ago. And the amazing thing is, there aren’t any lines!!!  

The Mission Ridge ski area, only twelve miles from Wenatchee, offers a wide range of terrain to satisfy all types of skiers.  Cross-country skiing is nearby. Non-skiers have also found snowshoeing is great fun on trails alongside ski slopes.   Go to http://www.missionridge.com for more information.

The Cedars Inn has set aside a block of rooms for TOPS families at the rate of $75.95 + tax for a room with two (2) queen beds. The Cedars Inn is in East Wenatchee at 80 9th St NE, just 20 minutes from the ski area and across the road from the Columbia River trail.   They offer a continental breakfast with a waffle maker and an espresso machine, an indoor pool and an outdoor hot tub.

Reservations are available Toll free: 800-358-2074 or via 509-886-8000.  Just be sure to mention that you are with the TOPS Ski Group.  The deadline for reservations is February 6th, 2008.  This is a first come / first serve reservation.  The group rate will be held through this date, as will the allocation of rooms available for the TOPS Ski Group.  After this date, if all of the rooms have not been reserved, they will be released to the general public.

Traditionally we have held a family potluck Friday night (6:30 pm) in a banquet room the Cedars Inn provides.  Plan to bring a dish for 6 – 8 people and a beverage to share.  

There are several ways to keep the cost down:

• The 3.0 club is a good deal for students 13 and over, offering a great per day discount ticket.  Please visit Mission Ridge’s website for more details and information.  You’ll need to bring report card and student ID. 
• Groups of 15 or more adults can buy daily tickets for a discount as well.  But you’ll need to pay together and in advance.  If someone would like to organize a group purchase, find details on the Mission Ridge website, and let me know that you would like to lead this group purchase effort.
• If you’re a complete beginner, you can arrange for three days of lift tickets, three group lessons, and three days of equipment rental for a very sizable discount. 
• In some past years, Texaco stations have offered a 2 for 1 coupon that were valid on Thursday or Friday.  If you hear about this (or any other good discounts), pass the word around.

Any questions, contact Ron White at therwhitehouse@comcast.net.

This is a parent-sponsored event that has been ongoing for seventeen or eighteen years now!