Maplewood vs. South Orange Ski Club Feedback

My understanding is the ski club registrations are not that far off and I'm looking for feedback from others that have kids that have tried it. Based on my reading, South Orange is for younger kids on Wednesdays (grades 4-8?) and Maplewood is for older (Grades 6-12) on Fridays. How different is the vibe of the two clubs and how does the supervision/chaperoning vary given the age difference? My child could do either, but am leaning towards the younger group. I would appreciate any insight. Thank you!

My son did the Maplewood Club for the first time last year when he was in the 8th grade. We had some challenges because he was new to winter sports, he has Autism and ADHD and none of his friends were in the club. The club seemed to be geared more towards kids who "know the drill", so supervision was very hands-off. The bus arrived at Mountain Creek, everyone grabbed their gear and were told "meet us back here at 10:30". There were other newbies in the club, but they all seemed to have friends or older siblings there who could show them what to do. So if you have a child who is not very assertive or needs assistance, let the Maplewood Ski Club Program Director know and he will make sure the chaperones look out for your kid. My son ended up having a great time and plans to join the club again this year.

Good to know erins. Thank you.

So the older group through Maplewood goes to Mountain Creek, does anyone know where the younger group skis?

Younger group goes to Mt. Peter.

My daughter and their friends were in the club last winter. Generally okay, but it felt like the actual ski time wasn't sufficient. By the time the bus left from the Baird around 3: 30 - 4 pm and got to Mt. Peter about and hour and a half away. And then the kids unpack and get to the slopes - it was almost 5:30 - 6. They would then packup about 7:30 pm -8 pm and return around 9:30 - 10 pm. This meant that the actual ski time was roughly 2 hours. But the whole trip was roughly 5 - 6 hours.

Mt. Peter also wasn't challenging enough for her.

Lastly, IIRC, the cost was around $270 for 5 trips - about $54/trip for skiing and the bus ride there. Not outrageous but also not really cheap either.

My daughter still had fun skiing with friends but won't participate this year.

The Maplewood Club was for 6 trips and it sounds like they got more time on the mountain. The buses left the Maplewood Pool around 3:45pm and arrived about 5pm (Mountain Creek is 50 miles away). Everyone had to return to the buses at 9:45pm to make the 11pm drop off in Maplewood. It costs us $430 - $100 for the bus, $140 for the 6-trip lift card + lessons, $125 for equipment rental, $65 for 6 dinners.

That was my concern about the younger group - that it's a lot of time and money for not much time on the mountain.

I'd love for my kids to join, but am not ready to send them on their own. Anyone know how the Maplewood Club feels about parents attending as well?

bklyngirl said:
I'd love for my kids to join, but am not ready to send them on their own. Anyone know how the Maplewood Club feels about parents attending as well?

There are always some parent chaperones. You could talk to the Maplewood Rec Dept. about it.

chalmers said:

bklyngirl said:
I'd love for my kids to join, but am not ready to send them on their own. Anyone know how the Maplewood Club feels about parents attending as well?

There are always some parent chaperones. You could talk to the Maplewood Rec Dept. about it.

...and they are always looking for more parent chaperones...

Thanks. Think I will.

The email just came out about the Maplewood Ski and Snowboard Club. This year, the program is open to all SOMA children in grades 6-12.

I've heard that the older teenagers in the Maplewood Club like to party.

I've heard that people on MOL like to gossip.

yahooyahoo said:
I've heard that the older teenagers in the Maplewood Club like to party.

Let me amend this for you.

"I've heard that some older teenagers in the world like to party."

Has anyone else received the email from Maplewood township? A poster said it was sent but I haven't received it and couldn't find a link.

I think you can sign up for notifications here:

http://www.twp.maplewood.nj.us/index.aspx?NID=436

Here is the full email:

Maplewood Ski Club
The Maplewood Department of Recreation & Cultural Affairs will once again be offering Friday night Ski & Snowboard Trips this winter to Mountain Creek. This program is open to all Maplewood and South Orange children in grades 6-12.

Ski Trips will be held for 5 consecutive Fridays at the Mountain Creek Resort in Vernon, NJ beginning Friday, January 8, 2015. The bus will be departing from Maplewood Community Pool on Boyden Avenue at 3:45pm. All buses will return to the Maplewood Community pool around 11:00pm.

SKI TRIP DATES
January 8
January 15
January 22
January 29
February 5

Make-up Dates:
February 19th (if a previous trip was cancelled by the recreation department)
February 26th (if a previous trip was cancelled by the recreation department)

REGISTRATION PROCESS

STEP 1- Register for a seat on the bus. The fee to register for the bus is $100 and can be done by:
- Registering online: https://register.communitypass.net/maplewood (Please select the 'Fall/Winter 2015-16' season and then 'Ski Club - Bus Seat Registration')
- Contacting the Recreation Department at (973) 763-4202
- Visiting the Recreation Department at 574 Valley Street in Maplewood (office hours are 9am - 4:30pm)

STEP 2 - After purchasing transportation through the recreation department, an email will be sent to the ski club members with the information on how to purchase tickets/items from Mountain Creek directly including waiver documents (lift tickets, season passes, food vouchers, rental skis, etc). All emails will be sent to the email address that you have set up on your CommunityPass account.

STEP 3 - Tickets/items that are purchased directly through Mountain Creek (season passes, lift/lesson cards, food vouchers only), will be mailed to the recreation department. The recreation department will contact you by email to let you know when these items are available for pick-up in advance of the ski trips. All envelopes that aren't picked up, will be left with bus chaperones for the first trip. However, it is recommended that all items be picked up in advance.

STEP 4 - Don't be late for the bus! The bus will leave no later than 4pm (no exceptions!). And most importantly, have FUN!

MOUNTAIN CREEK TICKET OPTIONS (once registered and paid for bus, members MUST purchase one ticket option: Lift/Lesson card OR Student Pass)

- Lift/Lesson Card (valid for 5 ski club trips only): $139.99
OR
- Ski Club Student Season Pass: $229.99* (Ski at all 5 trips with our club plus any other time during the season)
*(after 10/31, price increases to $249.99)

* OPTIONAL PRODUCTS OFFERED
Rental Equipment (valid for 5 trips): $109.99 (Helmet & Damage Insurance included!)
Meal Vouchers (5 vouchers): $49.75 (choice of burger, pizza or chicken fingers w/ fries & fountain drink)
Premium Meal Vouchers (5 vouchers): $59.75

Choose 1: (Grab & Go sandwich or Grab and Go Salad, or Soup)
Choose 1: (Apple/Orange or individual Yogurt)
Choose 1: (Bottled Water, Bottle Juice, Carton Milk)
* tax may apply

CHAPERONES
If you have any interest in becoming a chaperone this year, please contact Chris at the Maplewood Recreation Department by calling (973) 763-4202 or emailing recinfo@twp.maplewood.nj.us.
We please ask that you are available to volunteer for all five Friday night trips. For questions, please
contact the Maplewood Recreation Department at (973) 763-4202 or email us at recinfo@twp.maplewood.nj.us.

So, yes, my understanding is that this is the "older" club that goes to Mountain Creek on Fridays. Thank you for posting!

"I've hear that some parents like to live in denial."

tjohn said:

yahooyahoo said:
I've heard that the older teenagers in the Maplewood Club like to party.

Let me amend this for you.


"I've heard that some older teenagers in the world like to party."