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GLADSTONE -- Snow started to fly this week at the ski hill in Gladstone, with the season expected to begin on Dec. 28. Close to 20 seasonal employees have been hired, said Gladstone Parks and Recreation Department Acting Supervisor Robert Brown. Beginning in January is the after-school program at the sports park. Between skiing, snowboarding and tubing, people will also be able to enjoy a wider range of food options that are arriving at the concession stand this year.
The Gladstone City Ski Hill at the John and Melissa Besse Sports Park on North Bluff Drive may be subject to melt with this week's warmer temperatures, but the machines on the slopes began producing snow on Tuesday, and Brown said they're using them strategically.
"We're kind of mounding everything up to save what we have, and if we're lucky, we might get the fast run open on tubes," Brown said. "I'm gonna concentrate on getting one run done. And then hopefully, bunny and the pony run will be open and available after Christmas -- but I got to see what this heat wave's going to do."
Instructors and lift operators have been hired, but a couple more employees would still be helpful. People who are at least 16 years of age may pick up applications at Gladstone City Hall to become lift operators.
"We've got enough to get up and running, but we don't have much if somebody doesn't show up," said Brown.
He's looking forward to the after-school program that busses in children from elementary schools immediately after classes let out and runs until 6 p.m. Brown said that Cameron, Jones and Mid Peninsula schools are participating, and he encourages others to sign up for the program, which begins Jan. 8 and is free with the purchase of a hill pass or season pass.
"Basically, we take care of them and get them on the hill," he said, explaining that for the first hour, the children are inside and have the opportunity to get help with their homework. When the hill opens at 4:00, the kids can try on boots, skis and snowboards to discover whether they're interested in winter sports.
"Then we let them loose on the hill and they play around 'til about six," said Brown.
The concession stand in the ski chalet has in the past served a more limited menu than will be available this year. Chili, sub sandwiches, Main Street Pizza and ice cream are to be included in the expanded offerings.
When the ski hill does open for the season -- again, the target is to open on Dec. 28, but that date is tentative -- the hours will be 4 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Thursday and Friday and from 12 to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Tubing is only open on the weekends in three-hour blocks, from noon to 3 p.m. and from 3 to 6 p.m. both days.
Gift certificates may be purchased from Gladstone City Hall.