Get on the Ski Bus

Skiers return to the Santa Rosa-bound bus after a day of skiing in 2006. (PD File)

Although this year’s snow conditions have been less than ideal, the stoked diehards who make the trip up to Tahoe have found that the snow there really isn’t so bad.

“Northstar is the best bet,” said Carole Holley, owner of Santa Rosa Ski & Sports. “It’s open from top to bottom, front to back, with 18 to 24 inches of snow.”

The other good news is that Santa Rosa Ski & Sports will once again offer its affordable, one-day bus trips through April 15.
“Destinations will be determined by the snow conditions,” Holley said. “It’s been 86 years since it’s been this dry.”

The bus trips are ideal for teenagers too young to drive themselves but with enough sense to handle a day on the slopes on their own, with chaperones taking the place of their parents.

“Once they do one bus, they usually do all of them,” Holley said. “It’s a rite of passage.”

The front of the bus is an adults-only zone, but that still leaves plenty of space in the back for the young adults to spread out and relax. Movies are shown on both legs of the trip.

“The kids come in their jammies and slippers, with a backpack for all their ski clothes,” Holley said. “It’s like a slumber party.”

Prices are $90 for youths ages 13-21; $100 for adults; $50 for the bus only. The price includes juice and snack for breakfast, lift tickets, a T-shirt and bus transportation.

Buses depart at 5 a.m. from the Sonoma County Veterans Building and go directly to the ski area. The buses leave the ski resorts at 4 p.m. sharp and return to Santa Rosa around 8:30 p.m., depending on road conditions. The bus makes a stop in Auburn for dinner on the way home, but the meal is not included in the fare.

Here are the planned trips, subject to change:

Jan. 21: Sugar Bowl
Feb. 4: Alpine Meadows
Feb. 18: Sugar Bowl
March 3: Sugar Bowl
March 17: Sierra at Tahoe (tentative)
March 31: Sugar Bowl

For more information: 578-4754 or santarosaskiandsports.com.