More snow typically means more fun for Alaska kids and many adults as well. Just look up toward the hills and you can almost feel the excitement as skiers hit the slopes. Hilltop opened Tuesday for the season.
We’ll take a look at some new costs and new services for when you head to the hills.
“I'm really excited. I can't wait; I've been waiting since all summer,” Zachary Byrd said. He’s glad that he lives about a minute away from the ski slopes.
Hilltop Ski Area is now open for the season with some changes in price and services offered.
Lift tickets are up $2 across the board: Adults at $30 bucks for a weekend rate, students at $28.
Some parents say a day of skiing is still a great deal when the slopes are practically in their backyard.
“It's like going to the grocery store, and it's cheaper than a movie. Sometimes you get four or five children going to the movie, it's over $100… and they spend a lot more time here having fun,” said Charlie Bates.
It's what parents and their young skiers will now find inside that gives a more economical option.
Rental supervisor Rachel Beitter says the ski area will have about 100 sets of skis available for seasonal rental, not just day rental.
“(With the) day-to-day rental program you get different skis every day. You have to stand in line. This way, kids come up, put skis on (and) he's out on the hill while everyone else is waiting in line. If it's a busy day, the lines can be quite long sometimes,” Beitter said.
The seasonal plan allows young skiers to have the same gear all season. They can even take them to other ski areas.
That should save the parents of growing kids $300-$500 a year on new gear.
“It's a good way when kids are growing, they're going to grow out of skis and boots, so next year you get another lease and they’re in good gear each year but minimal impact to parents,” Rick Cramer, Hilltop’s general operations manager said.
“It saves you a lot of money. They're not as cheap as in the old days. They've gotten quite expensive over the years,” Bates said.
Season passes this year are $550 for adults and $525 for students.
Hilltop's terrain area for snowboarders is not open yet – they need more snow, but Hilltop says snowboarders will find some fun changes.
Contact Maria Downey at mdowney@ktuu.com
