Winter Park Ski Trip

Each year the troop takes a trip to Winter Park, Colorado to snow ski over the Presidents’ Day Weekend.  Travel is by commercial airlines to Denver and by charter bus to Winter Park.  Lodging and evening/breakfast meals are provided at the YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch.  Scouts can take this trip at no cost if they sell the required number of Christmas wreaths. This is a great experience for the scouts and we encourage all scouts to participate. Parents are also encouraged to go on the ski trip.  Parents can either sell the required number of Christmas wreaths or can write a check to pay for the trip.  Those scouts who do not go skiing are still required to sell a minimum number of wreaths. It is the sale of wreaths that supports the activities of the troop and the purchase and maintenance of our camping equipment.

Everyone on the trip will enjoy three days of skiing, with great ski conditions and beautiful Rocky Mountain scenery.   Activities on the slopes include timed skills racing which is fun for all scouts and parents!   The village of Winter Park offers a variety of shopping and dining as well as the popular after skiing cup of hot chocolate at the Balcony House or a slice at the Pizza Peddler.  Evening activities include nightly troop meetings, movies, games and Saturday evening mass with Fr. Chris.

New scout parents are encouraged to review the Ski Trip Documents, which help explain the logistics, expectations and health/safety precautions for the ski trip.  A full day Winter Park Ski School lesson is provided for all “first year on the ski trip” scouts and adults.  There are a variety of slopes and trails for skiers of all experience levels.  Even if they have never skied before, most scouts will come home from this trip as very competent skiers eager to return for more!  All scouts also have the option to earn the Snow Sports Merit Badge as a part of the trip.  Please feel free to contact Mr. Kacius or Mr. Otte with any questions that you may have regarding the ski trip.

The ski trip is limited to scouts and one parent per scout, and ski trip leadership.

Each person attending must submit…

  • One Online Ski Trip Reservation Form:  Everyone must submit an online form for the 2025 trip, or returning skiers should update and submit the link from last year.
  • Your Payment:  Scouts selling 120 wreaths have no additional payment due.  Scouts selling wreaths for a parent require an adult payment of $100.  Adults paying for the trip require a payment of $1375.   See Troop policies below.  If this is your first year on the ski trip, a scout can sell 110 wreath points to go on the ski trip.
  • Locker Fees (Optional):  You can prepay $75 (include with ski payment) for a full-size ski locker.  Most families do get a locker with fits equipment for two skiers.
  • Ski Package Upgrade fees (Optional):  You can prepay $10 per day for a Performance Package upgrade or $20 per day for a Demo Package upgrade.  Sales tax will be added to your upgrade.  You can also purchase damage insurance.
  • Online Lift Ticket Release Form: Each adult must submit an online waiver at www.ezwaiver.com/wp/   Forward the email confirmation with attachment to skitrip@bsa174.com  Scouts shall be listed under the parent account.
  • BSA Membership:  All adult (18 and over) ski trip participants shall be BSA registered, which includes the BSA membership form, a BSA membership fee, BSA online youth protection training, Archdiocese Safe Parish training, BSA Health Form Parts A and B, your insurance card, and one BSA Health Form, Part C.  Coordinate membership with our troop registrar, Joe Todd.
  • Troop doctors will provide Part C physicals before the first two meetings in January.
“Ski Trip Documents” link can be found in your wreath reply emails or ski trip emails

2025 Ski Trip Critical Dates

  • October 7, 2024 – Ski Trip Online Registration available.
  • October 7 – November 18, 2024 – Do Ski Trip Forms Online and turn in Payments at Monday meetings.

    • Full payment of $1375 is due for adults/non-scout participants purchasing trip.
    • $100 is due for adults/non-scout participants selling wreaths.
    • Coordinate required BSA membership with Joe Todd.
    • E-mail Jim Kacius skitrip@bsa174.com with any questions.
  • November 18, 2024 – Late ski trip registration date.  Spots subject to availability. Final Payments are due.
  • November 25, 2024 – Deadline for cancellation of trip reservations for scouts, adults and family members(*)
  • January 6 and 20, 2025 – Part C physicals (6:00 PM to 8:00 PM – IHM Gym)
  • February 3, 2025 – Ski Equipment presentation at weekly meeting (7:00 PM – IHM Gym)
  • February 10, 2025 – Mandatory Ski Trip Meeting for ALL participants and parents (7:00 PM – IHM Gym)
  • February 12, 2025 – Snow Sports Merit Badge written portion due.
  • February 13-17, 2025 – Ski Trip Dates / Depart Thursday and Return Monday
  • February 13, 2025 (Depart) – Southwest Airlines:  Two flights.  Meet at the Southwest Airlines ticket counter no later than 2 hours before scheduled take off.
  • February 17, 2025 (Return) – Southwest Airlines:  Parents will typically meet the group in the baggage claim area on ground level.
Troop Policies to Note
Ski Trip Information
Troop Policies to Note
  1. All scouts and adults must remain with the group for the entire trip and will be required to sleep at Snow Mountain Ranch each night of the trip. If you wish to visit/dine with friends or family members residing in the Denver/Winter Park area we encourage you to do so at the slope or at the Ranch. Special exceptions only may be granted by the Scoutmaster or Ski Trip Coordinator. There will be no exceptions for overnight stays off the Ranch.
  2. The troop will rent one vehicle for emergency use only. Adults may NOT rent vehicles for use on the trip.
  3. The use of helmets is required for all participants engaged in downhill skiing in accordance with the BSA Guide to Safe Scouting.
  4. Snowboarding is available only to experienced advanced snowboarders with the approval of the scoutmaster.
  5. Scouts must sell the required number of wreaths to earn a spot on the ski trip.
  6. Our group travel itinerary is non flexible and nonrefundable.  Any changes needed or additional costs incurred are the responsibility of the individual.
  7.  Scouts and one parent of that scout are always guaranteed a spot on the ski trip at the current cost (or wreath points) provided they sign up by the final ski trip registration date.  See Mr. Kacius for possible additional availability.
  8. Selling 120 wreath points earns a scout one high adventure / ski trip credit and has no other cash value.
Ski Trip Information

(*) Cancellation penalties apply after this date