Seaholm/Groves Snow Club

Week 1 (12/9) Postponed Due to Warm Temperatures.  Club members, please check your email for details.

For all skiers, snowboarders or those who want to learn.

We go to Pine Knob by bus on Mondays in December, January and February.  Students can sign-up for the full program of 8 trips or a half program of 4.  Registration is limited to the first 50 students.

Here are some quick details…

• One club for Seaholm and Groves Students.
• Round Trip motor-coach bus.
• Mondays at Pine Knob.

• 2024-25 Dates - We plan to go on 8 of these dates depending on the weather.
  • December 9, 16
  • January 6, 13, 20, 27
  • February 3, 10, 24
• 4 Trips is $269, 8 Trips is $497.
• Pine Knob requires us to pre-pay, and there are no refunds.  Please do not register if you are not certain you want to participate.
• The registration process begins with FinalForms.  See the details below.
• Complete details are below the registration button. 

 

If you have questions, please see Mr. Frank in the athletic office or email AFrank@birmingham.k12.mi.us

Welcome to Seaholm Groves Snow Club!  The club is designed to provide a safe, supervised environment where students can learn to ski or board – or have fun on the slopes while improving their current skills.   While the trips are fun, there are a few considerations to be made before joining.  Students will be required to follow safety guidelines, as well as take at least one lesson.  We’ve done our best to keep costs down and keep students safe, but please keep in mind that skiing and boarding can be expensive and dangerous.  You’ll want to make sure you read through this entire page to make sure the club is right for you.

If you have questions about the club, please contact Aaron Frank at AFrank@birmingham.k12.mi.us or (248) 203-3775.  Students are welcome to stop by the Seaholm athletic office with questions. 

Sign-Up/Registration Procedure – New for 24/25
Registration for snow club is online and begins at https://birmingham-mi.finalforms.com/.  This is the same system used for all BPS athletic registration.  It takes a bit longer than the old system.  Here is a quick start guide to FinalForms.  This is a 2-part registration.  Within about 24 hours of entering your information on FinalForms, you will receive an email link to the payment site.  Registration is not complete until payment is received.  The cost is $497 for a full season (8 trips) or $269 for a half season (4 trips – pick any 4 of the 8 dates).   Students should register online as soon as possible.  I will hold a spot for the first 50 students who register online.  Students who are waiting to obtain a physical are still admitted to Snow Club, but will not be allowed to ski or board until a physical is uploaded on the system.  If you have already turned in a physical at school or if you played a fall sport at Seaholm or Groves, you are all set.

I will accept late registrations if there is space available.  We are limited to 50 students.

Dates/Times/Membership Fees/Options
We will be going to Pine Knob on Mondays.  The full list of potential dates include December 9, 16, January 6, 13, 20, 27, February 3, 10, 24, March 3 (we are not going on 2/17 due to February break).  There are 10 reserved dates.  In a typical Michigan winter, we are able to ski on 8 of these days.

January 20 is MLK day, and the students do not have school.  However, we will be going to Pine Knob at the regular time.  This will allow students to participate in other activities during the day.

Each student must pay $32 to join the Pine Knob Ski Club Program and then an additional $57 (bus is $25 plus lift ticket is $32) for each of 4 or 8 trips.  Finally, there is a $9 fee to cover additional costs including the registration system.  Students who sign up to attend 4 trips (any four) will pay a total of $269.  Students who want to participate in the full season will pay $497 for 8 trips.

What Your Student Membership Includes

• Transportation for each trip.
• Lift ticket for each trip.
• One Pine Knob student membership card* 
  * Your student card may be used to receive discounts at Pine Knob or Mount Holly, or Alpine Valley on any weeknight. 

Extra Fees
In addition to the club fee, you may need to consider the following costs associated with the club. 

• Dinner/Snacks at Pine Knob - $20 (or more)
• Rental snowboards - $25 per rental
• Rental skis - $25 per rental
• Pine Knob Patches - $5.00 each
• Locker rental - $.50 in quarters
• Helmet Rental - $10

Refunds/Cancellations/Absences
Pine Knob made significant changes beginning last year.  We are required to prepay for our participation.  The bus contract also requires prepayment.  Therefore, please do not register if you are uncertain about participation.  There are no refunds.

Attendance on the trips is not mandatory.  This is a decision to be made between parents and students.  It is not necessary to call in sick or notify me of your absence for any reason. However, due to the changes in Pine Knob policy, I am required to pre-purchase your non-refundable ticket.  Please keep in mind you will not be refunded if you decide not to go.

We are always at the mercy of the unpredictable Michigan weather.  Under most conditions, the trip will take place as long as Pine Knob is open before the buses leave the parking lot.  While I will make every effort not to cancel a trip on short notice, please understand that at times this is unavoidable.  You may check www.seaholmsports.org  for any updates on the trip status during the day.  I will post any changes right away.

The exception to the new refund policy is a Monday when Pine Knob or BPS is closed (due to weather conditions for example).  All refunds will be issued on the same card/account you use to register and will take place at the conclusion of the season. 

Snow Club Monday Procedure
Seaholm: 7:00 – 7:20    All bags, boards, and skis may be dropped off at the athletic entrance.  DO NOT bring bags and equipment to the main office. 

Groves: 7:10 - 7:25  Students may drop off equipment in B21. No passes to class will be given. Plan ahead. Be at school early.

2:50 – 3:10    Students pick up equipment, change in locker rooms, and board bus.  The bus will depart Groves at about 3:00 PM.  It will then come to Seaholm and depart around 3:10 PM. 

3:10 – 3:40   Ride to Pine Knob.  Lift tickets and student cards are passed out on the bus.  Rental forms are sold by sponsors on the bus.  Announcements are given at this time as well.  Students are responsible for keeping track of all lift tickets, student cards, and rental forms.  They will be charged for replacements.

3:40 – 8:15 – Students are “on their own” at Pine Knob and are expected to follow the guidelines for student responsibility below.  Sponsors will be at Pine Knob during the entire trip.   Our bus may leave Pine Knob during this time, so all needed equipment should be taken to the lodge.  We will take the same bus home, so you may leave unneeded items on the bus.

8:15 – 8:30 – Renters return their equipment.  The bus will be at the front entrance of Pine Knob for loading.

8:30 – All students return are on the bus.  We must pull out at 8:30 with or without all students.  If a student is not on the bus, we will make every effort to locate that student.  If the student does not show up at 8:30, we will contact a parent to let them know they must pick up their child at Pine Knob.  

8:30 – 9:00  -  Bus trip back to Birmingham.

9:00 – 9:15 -  Parents pick up students at Seaholm (there is no Groves stop on the way back).  Students may not have access to the building at this time so please plan to pick up your child on time.

* Please be kind to our bus drivers and avoid blocking bus lanes when picking up students and equipment.

What to wear / Taking care of equipment
We want students to stay safe and comfortable on the slopes by bringing appropriate gear with them!  In addition, we also want to return to Seaholm and Groves safe and sound with everyone’s gear!

Recommended Clothing:

• Thermal undershirt or tee shirt
• Long underwear
• Sweater, sweatshirt, or fleece top
• Comfortable pants
• Waterproof snow pants or nylon wind pants
• Warm jacket or parka
• Hat that covers ears
• Waterproof, sturdy gloves or mittens
• Non-ribbed socks
• Sunglasses or goggles
• Lip balm and sunscreen
• Neck wear such as scarf or wrap (tucked into clothing)
• Helmet
• SNOWBOARDERS are strongly recommended to wear wrist guards!

Thefts of equipment, unfortunately, do happen at Pine Knob.  Please make sure you make use of the free ski corral when you go inside.  Keep the rest of your gear locked up in a locker when not in use.  In addition, you may want to register your gear with Pine Knob (page 7) http://seaholmsports.com/docs/equipment_registration.pdf.  In case of loss or theft, this may help in recovering your items!

Rentals
Pine Knob’s rental program offers students the opportunity to rent equipment.  You can pre-sign the rental agreement to save time- link: http://seaholmsports.com/docs/pine_knob_rental_agreement.pdf   Students need to be aware of their height, shoe size, and weight to fill out the forms at Pine Knob.  These rental forms are purchased on the bus from sponsors on the way to Pine Knob each week.  The cost is $20 for ski rental, $20 for snowboard rental*, and $10 for helmet rental.  Rentals can be purchased for cash or check made payable to "Birmingham Public Schools."

*  Due to the high theft rate of snowboard rentals, Pine Knob requires a School picture ID to rent snowboards.  It is the student’s responsibility to bring this along as well as their Pine Knob student ID card!  If you would like to provide me with a photocopy of a student id, I will keep this on file in case a student forgets.

Snow Club Student Card
The student card provides reduced rates on other weeknights at Pine Knob, Alpine Valley or Mt. Holly.  By joining the Snow Club you are automatically enrolled in this program.  

Lessons/Patches
Students who want to take lessons are required to purchase them separately from Pine Knob (link below).  There will also be a free evaluation opportunity for those who would rather just qualify for the appropriate patch and enjoy the hill without taking lessons.  Our evaluation dates and times will be shared when the season begins.  Please remember that all students are required to display their yearly patch. 

Pine Knob Patch Information: Patch Information
Purchase Lessons Here: Coming Soon

Student Responsibilities
Away from school, all the normal school rules apply.  There is zero tolerance for alcohol, tobacco or any other drug use or possession. 

While the sponsors are always around to help you out, it is ultimately your responsibility to also take care of the following:

• Sew your Pine Knob patches on your jacket.  Pine Knob requires proof of your expertise to let you on certain lifts/runs.  Just in case, keep your student card record of all patches earned in case they are lost.  Pine Knob will sell you new patches only if you can provide proof you’ve earned them.
• Keep track of all student cards, lift tickets, and rental forms.  If they are lost, you will be charged for another.
• Listen to sponsors and cooperate.  We reserve the right to take away time on the slopes or dismiss you from the club for inappropriate behavior.
• Use the lockers and ski corral provided by Pine Knob.  The sponsors are not responsible for and will not be able to watch your personal items.
• Always ski or snowboard with at least one partner.
• Keep track of the time.  You are responsible for returning your equipment and for boarding the bus from Pine Knob absolutely no later than 8:30.
• Bring the proper clothing and safety equipment.  Be prepared!
• Know the rules of the slopes and only ski/board where you are patched.  Accidents most often happen when students attempt to do something beyond their skill level.

Communication Methods
Due to changes in the weather, last-minute communications may be necessary. 

• We will send e-mails to all of the addresses submitted via online registration.  
• We will post trip information at www.seaholmsports.org.

Parent Responsibilities

• Please read over this information carefully and keep it for your reference.
• Please send your child to school with warm and safe equipment and clothing.
• Please send your child with enough spending money for dinner and rentals.
• Double check to make sure that equipment that is loaded into your car at the end of the night is in fact your child’s.
• Please pick up your child on time after snow club and do not block the buses.

Adult Club Membership
Pine Knob also sells an adult membership card for $32.   This will enable you to receive the same discounts as our students.  Please let me know if you are interested in purchasing one of these cards.

Emergencies/Injuries
While we do our best to provide a safe environment, the risk of injury is very high with skiing and snowboarding.  Students can help prevent injuries by staying where they are patched.  Parents can help to prevent injuries by providing safe equipment.  In addition, helmets should be worn by all participants, and wrist guards are strongly recommended for snowboarders. 

A copy of the emergency treatment form you submitted during student registration will be in my possession at Pine Knob.  With this form, you have authorized BPS Staff and medical personnel to take necessary actions to treat injuries before parental contact is made.  Sponsors will contact parents as soon as possible and arrange for pick up from Pine Knob in case of a serious injury.  Students will only be released to those listed as emergency contacts.