About Salish Snow Sports
Salish Snow Sports is a community-based ski and snowboard program serving youth in East Jefferson County. We coordinate transportation, professional instruction, lift access, optional equipment rentals, meals, and family support to make getting kids to the mountain easier and more affordable.
Salish Snow Sports FAQs
Please review our frequently asked questions below. If you don’t see your question, email us at salishsnowsports@gmail.com.
Who can sign up for Salish Snow Sports?
Salish Snow Sports is open to youth in grades 1–12, ages 7–18, who live in East Jefferson County, Washington. We welcome students from public and private schools, alternative education programs, and homeschool families.
All skill levels are welcome — from kids who have never put on skis or a snowboard to experienced skiers and riders looking to continue building their skills.
Students in grades 1–4 must participate with a parent or guardian who rides with them on our Family Bus. Students in grades 5–12 may ride independently on our Student Bus, supervised by volunteer chaperones.
Children must be at least 7 years old by February 20, 2027 to register directly with Stevens Pass Ski & Ride School. If your child is in 1st grade but turns 7 shortly after February 20, please contact us before registering to discuss whether an exception may be possible.
When does registration open?
Registration opens in the fall. Returning students will have an opportunity to secure their spots before registration opens more broadly.
Our program has limited capacity and we expect it to fill, so we encourage families to register promptly once their registration window opens.
Follow Salish Snow Sports on social media and subscribe to our email updates for registration announcements and deadlines.
Does my child need to know how to ski or snowboard?
Not at all! Beginners are absolutely welcome. In fact, introducing kids to skiing and snowboarding in a safe and supportive environment is a big part of why our program exists.
Students are grouped for lessons based on age, ability, and skiing or snowboarding experience. More experienced students will continue developing their skills with professional instructors.
Does my child have to participate in lessons?
Yes. Professional instruction through Stevens Pass Ski & Ride School is a core part of the Salish Snow Sports program.
All students participate in a two-hour lesson each Saturday morning for the full six-week program. After lessons and lunch, students have additional time to ski or snowboard in the afternoon.
Can we sign up for only a few Saturdays?
No. Salish Snow Sports is a six-week program, not a pick-your-weeks model.
Our transportation, instruction, and other program costs are planned around full-season participation. Families may occasionally need to miss a Saturday because of illness, travel, or another conflict, but registration is for the entire season.
What does my Salish Snow Sports tuition pay for?
Your Salish Snow Sports tuition primarily supports the logistics that make six Saturdays at Stevens Pass possible, including:
· Round-trip school bus transportation from Chimacum
· Ferry transportation
· Meals and snacks
· Program insurance
· Safety and communication equipment
· Administrative and operating expenses
Tuition does not include your child’s Stevens Pass Ski & Ride School lessons, lift access, or optional equipment rentals. Those items are purchased separately.
Why am I making payments to different organizations?
Salish Snow Sports coordinates the overall program, but we do not operate the ski school, lifts, or rental department at Stevens Pass.
Families should expect to make purchases in three places:
1. Salish Snow Sports: Program tuition and transportation
2. Stevens Pass Ski & Ride School: Six-week lesson package
3. Epic Pass/Stevens Pass: Lift tickets or passes and, if needed, equipment rentals
We will provide families with detailed instructions and links so you know exactly what to purchase and when.
Do you offer financial assistance?
Yes. Accessibility is central to our mission.
Our Trailblazer tuition of $250 is available for families who need a subsidized program rate, and we offer a $100 sibling discount for families enrolling multiple children.
We work hard throughout the year to raise donations and sponsorships to help keep program tuition affordable for East Jefferson County families.
Where do lessons take place?
Lessons take place at Stevens Pass Ski Resort through Stevens Pass Ski & Ride School.
Students receive two hours of professional ski or snowboard instruction each Saturday morning.
Does my child need a lift ticket or season pass?
Yes. Every student needs valid lift access for each program Saturday.
Stevens Pass Ski & Ride School offers participating students a special six-day lift ticket bundle for $129, which calculates to about $22 a day. We recommend that most program students wait to purchase this discounted bundle rather than purchasing regular lift tickets through EpicPass.com.
If your child already has a season pass that includes Stevens Pass, they do not need to purchase the six-day student ticket bundle.
What's the deal with 5th graders riding for free?
Stevens Pass has historically offered a free season pass for enrolled 5th-grade students. If that program is available for the 2026–27 season, we strongly recommend that eligible families take advantage of it rather than purchasing the six-day student lift bundle.
We will send registration information to 5th-grade families when it becomes available.
What equipment does my child need?
Every participant needs:
· Skis and ski boots OR a snowboard and snowboard boots
· A snow-sports-approved helmet
· Goggles
· Waterproof jacket and snow pants
· Warm gloves or mittens
· Appropriate base layers and warm clothing
Helmets are required for every Salish Snow Sports participant.
Does Salish Snow Sports offer equipment rentals?
Families who need equipment may purchase a discounted seasonal rental package through Stevens Pass Resort Rentals. The anticipated student rental package is approximately $230 for the season.
Families are also welcome to rent equipment elsewhere. Seasonal rentals from local or regional ski shops may be a good option, particularly if your family plans to ski outside of the six Salish Snow Sports Saturdays.
Do you have used equipment or clothing available?
We plan to host our annual Gear Swap on October 17, 2026, where families can find free and affordable winter clothing and equipment.
Because of safety and liability concerns, we encourage families to purchase a quality snow-sports helmet rather than relying on a used helmet of unknown history.
What is the Family Bus?
Our Family Bus allows younger students to participate in Salish Snow Sports with a parent or guardian.
Students in grades 1–4 must have a parent or guardian accompany them for the day. The adult rides the bus with their child and is responsible for helping them with gear, transitions, lunch, and other needs outside of their professional lesson. Family Bus Passengers may supervise up to 3 children.
Is there a fee for parents to ride the Family Bus?
No! Family Bus adults ride for free for the 2026–27 season.
Parents are still responsible for purchasing their own lift access if they plan to ski or snowboard while at Stevens Pass
Does a Family Bus parent have to ski or snowboard?
No. You are welcome to spend the day at the lodge while your child participates.
If you do want to ski or snowboard, you will need your own valid Stevens Pass lift ticket or Epic Pass.
Can different parents or guardians accompany our child on different Saturdays?
Yes. Families may rotate which parent or guardian accompanies their child from week to week.
Please make sure Salish Snow Sports knows which adult will be riding each Saturday so our passenger lists and emergency information are accurate.
Can my child in grades 1–4 ride without a parent?
No. Students in grades 1–4 must have a designated parent or guardian participating with them on the Family Bus. This can be a friend, relative, or any trusted adult that will be responsible for your child.
Do you provide transportation?
Yes! Round-trip transportation from Chimacum High School to Stevens Pass is included in Salish Snow Sports tuition.
We travel by school bus, including the Kingston–Edmonds ferry crossing.
What does a typical Saturday look like?
Our anticipated schedule is:
4:45 AM: Students arrive and load at Chimacum High School
5:00 AM: Buses depart
Morning: Kingston–Edmonds ferry crossing
Approximately 9:00–9:30 AM: Arrive at Stevens Pass and gear up
10:00 AM–12:00 PM: Professional group lessons
12:00–12:45 PM: Lunch and rest
Approximately 12:45–2:30 PM: Afternoon skiing and snowboarding
3:00 PM: Depart Stevens Pass
Approximately 7:00 PM: Return to Chimacum
Times are approximate and may change based on ferry schedules, traffic, weather, and driving conditions. Families will receive updates if significant delays occur.
When does the 2027 season run?
Our six program Saturdays are:
February 20, February 27, March 6, March 13, March 20, and March 27, 2027.
We have also requested Saturday, April 3 as a make-up day if a program Saturday must be canceled.
Late-season dates provide more daylight for our long travel days and generally give us an established mountain snowpack. Weather and mountain conditions, however, can never be guaranteed.
What happens if a Saturday is canceled?
Safety comes first.
Our school district transportation partners determine whether buses can safely make the trip based on road conditions, weather, staffing, and other transportation considerations. If the transportation team determines that travel is unsafe, Salish Snow Sports will cancel that Saturday’s trip.
We have requested April 3 as a make-up date for the 2027 season if a cancellation occurs.
What if my child has to miss a Saturday?
We understand that kids get sick and family conflicts happen. However, attendance is especially important during the first two Saturdays of the program, particularly for beginner skiers and snowboarders.
Our six-week lesson program is designed to build skills progressively from week to week. If a beginner misses the first Saturday — or especially the first two Saturdays — they may have difficulty catching up with their lesson group. Stevens Pass typically does not allow students to simply join an ongoing multi-week lesson program after missing the first day or two.
Depending on the student's ability level and how much instruction they have missed, a family may need to purchase an individual lesson through Stevens Pass to help their child catch up before rejoining their assigned group. Any additional lesson would be the family's responsibility.
For experienced skiers and riders, missing an early lesson is generally less of an issue because they already have the foundational skills needed to rejoin their ability group.
If your child needs to miss a Saturday, please let us know as soon as possible so we can help determine the best path for their return.
We cannot offer refunds for missed Saturdays because buses, instructors, and other program expenses are reserved and paid for in advance.
What should students bring on the bus?
Students should bring their snow gear, water bottle, and anything they want for the long bus ride.
Books, magazines, a small pillow, blanket, headphones, and extra snacks are all great options.
We also strongly recommend packing warm, dry clothes for the ride home
Skis and snowboards are stored in the bus cargo area. Students should keep boots, helmets, outerwear, and personal belongings with them.
What about food?
Thanks to our generous community sponsors, Salish Snow Sports provides lunch and snacks for all participating kids.
We provide meals to everyone so there is no distinction between students who need a provided meal and those who don’t.
Students should bring a water bottle and are welcome to pack additional food or snacks.
Food is also available for purchase at Stevens Pass. The resort is generally cashless, so students purchasing additional food should have an appropriate card or digital payment method.
Are helmets required?
Yes. Helmets are required for every Salish Snow Sports participant while skiing or snowboarding.
Please make sure your child’s helmet is designed for skiing or snowboarding, fits correctly, and has not been involved in a significant impact.
How are students supervised?
Students receive professional supervision from Stevens Pass Ski & Ride School instructors during their morning lessons.
Outside of lessons, our volunteer chaperones help with attendance, safety checks, lunch, transitions, communication, and afternoon skiing and snowboarding.
Students are expected to follow program rules, remain within approved areas, participate in required check-ins, and follow instructions from Salish Snow Sports staff and volunteers.
Is there a student code of conduct?
Yes. All participating families attend a mandatory pre-season orientation covering transportation rules, mountain safety, emergency procedures, behavioral expectations, and our student code of conduct.
Students and families must agree to follow these expectations.
Behavior that compromises the safety or experience of other students, volunteers, bus drivers, or resort staff may result in disciplinary action or removal from program transportation.
How can I contact my child in an emergency?
Cell service is generally available at Stevens Pass, although coverage can vary around the mountain.
Families will receive program emergency contact information before the season begins. Our chaperones also carry communication equipment to help us stay connected throughout the day.
If there is an emergency involving your child, Salish Snow Sports will contact you directly.
Is there a fee to chaperone?
No. Volunteer chaperones ride the bus for free and receive a complimentary lift ticket for the Saturday they volunteer.
We plan to have approximately eight volunteer chaperones each week supporting our two buses and students.
Can chaperones ski while at the mountain?
Yes! Chaperones may ski or snowboard during portions of the day as long as their assigned responsibilities are fulfilled.
Chaperoning isn’t simply a free ride to the mountain. Volunteers help with attendance, bus supervision, gear, lunch, student check-ins, safety, and other needs throughout our very long day.
We provide training before the season so everyone understands their responsibilities.
How can I volunteer?
We would love your help!
Salish Snow Sports is a volunteer-driven nonprofit program, and community support makes the season possible. We need chaperones as well as volunteers for fundraising, events, food preparation, our Gear Swap, and other program needs.
Email salishsnowsports@gmail.com if you’d like to get involved.
How can I support Salish Snow Sports if my family isn’t participating?
We are always looking for community sponsors and donors who believe East Jefferson County kids should have access to outdoor recreation.
Donations help us provide subsidized tuition, sibling discounts, transportation, meals, safety equipment, and other program expenses that keep the cost to families as low as possible.
Businesses, service organizations, foundations, and individual community members are all welcome to support the program. You can also help simply by sharing Salish Snow Sports with your community.
Every contribution helps us make it easier for another local kid to get to the mountain.