Additional Coverage: Opening Day at Polar Plunge

UPDATE JAN. 2, 2011 -- Polar Plunge will open on Monday, Jan. 3, 2011, according to General Manager Bill Brandes.

DEC. 23, 2010 -- The opening of the much-anticipated Polar Plunge snow tubing area at Hidden Valley Ski Resort in Wildwood has been delayed once more.

Despite construction delays, General Manager Bill Brandes is still hoping the tubing run will open toward the end of next week. He offered St. Louis Sprout a sneak peek today.

Snow piles stand ready to be plowed into the eight 800-foot long tubing lanes that will carry riders down an 80 foot drop (about a 40 percent grade, Brandes said). Rigid-bottomed tubes provided by the resort will whoosh riders down the hill where they'll gradually come to a stop on a 600-700 foot run-out.

Brandes said the new hill will be great for children ages 7 and older. Tubes can be tethered together, but only one person per tube can ride.

Brandes recommends riders ditch the ski boots and wear sturdy snow boots or waterproof hiking boots.

The cost for a two-hour lift ticket for Polar Plunge $26 per person. All tubers must sign a release.

Location
Hidden Valley Ski Resort
17409 Hidden Valley Drive
Wildwood, MO 63025
636-938-6999
www.hiddenvalleyski.com

Photo, top right: Workers finish up the carpet lift that will carry tubers to the top of the hill.

Photo, lower right: Sarah Summers tests out the new tubes that will be used in the Polar Plunge snow tubing area.

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