Basically, Hidden Valley, located in Wildwood, was founded before Wildwood became a city and now Wildwood is trying to impose their zoning regulations on them. It's been next to impossible to improve the resort without the city trying to charge them for everything. Tim Boyd, the owner, wants to add a new parking lot, around 200 spots and a new snow tubing park (which would be awesome by the way, as the yearly annual snowfall decreases every year... take those young whippersnappers tubing!!!). Wildwood wants Hidden Valley to pay a $250,000 fee for the parking lot or set aside some land for public use. Tim was basically like, "Fuck yo couch" and pulled the request for the new features although the city council is still considering them.
There is a council meeting tomorrow at 7:30PM at the Wildwood City Hall and I came to St. Louis at a good time, so I definitely plan to attend. Not only is Hidden Valley a place for me to go ride when I come here for the holidays, but it's also my job. I like to make some quick and easy money and get a free season pass being a snowboard instructor while I'm in St. Louis. It's also not fair for all of the other residents in this area who are unable to go anywhere else to ski or snowboard. Sure, it's a small resort and its average season is only 70 days, but it's still a great assest to the community. Hidden Valley is the largest seasonal employer in this area, employing over 350 people for the winter.
There's also the Gateway Disabled Ski program, which is an awesome program. Hidden Valley stores their adapative ski equipment at very little to no charge and they allow the disabled skiers to purchase season passes for the entire winter for only $50. There were also studies that showed when disabled people were active in sports, especially skiing, they were "more employable" than those who weren't active. If this resort closes, this program will diminish.
I am considered disabled although I was never a part of the Gateway Disabled team. I am profoundly deaf and Hidden Valley has helped me grow as a strong person and made me who I am today. If it wasn't for HV and snowboarding, I wouldn't be out on my own in Breckenridge right now. I also wouldn't have had the opportunites to go travel and see what the rest of the world has to offer. I've been to a lot of places and I'm only 20. Just imagine what the other kids at Hidden Valley could do.
PLEASE sign this petition, even if you don't live in St. Louis. Do it for the other snowboarders and skiiers. Keep the stoke going, no one wants to see a resort close!!!
This site has a lot of information, also has links to news article so look around if you'd like!
This year might be the last season so if you've always wanted to ride in St. Louis, now is the time. They usually open Christmas time and close first week of March. And yes, this place is actually fun!! Here's some various pictures from Hidden Valley!
Me working hard.... cough
Me trying out the new S-rail back in... 2006? You could golf and jib in the same day!
Me in the newspaper in 2005... check out that wide box! Haha!Hidden Valley is truly a great and fun resort and it would be really disappointing for this place to close!! Please sign the petition at http://www.savehv.com/ and tell all of your friends!!!! If you're in the area, GO TO THE COUNCIL MEETING PLEASE!!!! I will be there!
Oh and in other happier news, it snowed again in Colorado a few days ago! Here's a pic of me at Loveland Pass a few days after it snowed... so most of the snow blew away by then lol but it's definitely there
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