Oct–Mar
Bus Season
$100
Per Day / Per Season
Grades 1-8
Eligible Athletes
3:50 PM
Arrival at Howelsen
About the Program
Ride the SSWSC Bus
SSWSC offers bus transportation for SSWSC athletes from Steamboat Springs public schools to Howelsen Hill through a generous grant from the Lennox Foundation and with the guidance and support of George and Barbara Eidsness, Transwest Truck Trailer RV.
The SSWSC bus provides after-school transportation from the Strawberry Park campus to the front door of the Howelsen Hill Lodge on school days. Students at Soda Creek and Sleeping Giant take a school district bus from their campus to Strawberry Park, and then load the SSWSC bus at Strawberry Park.
Enrollment
Register for the Bus
How to Register
Register for the bus when you enroll your athlete in SSWSC programs through the registration portal. Registration opens August 5 for all programs.
Bus Dates
Monday – Friday
November 9, 2026 – March 12, 2027
Cost
$100 per day of the week, per season. A bus pass must be purchased for each day of the week an athlete intends to ride. Passes may only be purchased for scheduled training days and are non-transferable and non-refundable.
Example: An athlete training Tuesdays & Thursdays would purchase a Tuesday pass ($100) and a Thursday pass ($100) — $200 total for the season.
Financial Assistance
Bus Pass Discounts
Scholarships to ride the bus are available during the SSWSC program registration process.
EZ Scholarship Families
2025 AGI of $125,000 or less
- 50% off — AGI $75,000–$125,000,
$50/season per day of the week - 75% off — AGI $75,000 and below
$25/season per day of the week
Multi-Family Member Discount
Two or more athletes in SSWSC programs
Families who do not qualify for the EZ Scholarship discount may receive 50% off for the second and subsequent siblings. The discount applies to the athlete with the fewest bus days.
Questions? Call 970-879-0695 or email the SSWSC office.
Day-of Details
How to Ride the Bus
The SSWSC bus is the big blue bus parked in the bus line at the Strawberry Park school campus. Sleeping Giant and Soda Creek athletes ride a separate bus to Strawberry Park and then transfer to the SSWSC bus. If your athlete misses the bus, they will need to call a parent from the school office.
Rider’s Agreement
Parents, please read and discuss the Rider’s Agreement with your athlete before the first bus day.
Boots & Gear Bags
Kids may bring dryland and boot bags to school; school administration has designated space for extra gear. Skis and snowboards are not allowed; boots, helmets, and snow clothes only.
Skis & Snowboards
Drop skis and snowboards at the racks outside Howelsen Hill daily. Label all equipment. Parents must drop off equipment each day; no overnight storage allowed.
Eligibility & Rules
Bus Policies
- Athletes must be registered in an SSWSC program that takes place on the day(s) they are signed up for the bus.
- The bus is available to athletes registered in SSWSC programs in 1st through 8th grades.
- Athletes must be able to keep track of their gear, clothes, and backpacks and be able to get dressed themselves.
- Athletes will be allowed to bring boot bags and backpacks to school and store in a school-designated location.
- Athletes and parents must agree to the Rider’s Agreement.
- Families may drop off skis, snowboards, or other equipment at the ski racks at the base of Howelsen Hill.
Ready to register?
Sign up for bus passes when you enroll your athlete in SSWSC programs.
Got Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the SSWSC bus service start?
SSWSC will offer bus service from Soda Creek Elementary and the Strawberry Park Campus, with a connection from Sleeping Giant October – March (dates TBD in August).
Who is eligible to ride the SSWSC bus?
Elementary and middle school athletes, 1st through 8th grades, registered for SSWSC programs on their scheduled training days. Junior coaches may also ride the bus for the same fees on their coaching days. Athletes must be able to keep track of their gear, clothes, and backpacks and get dressed themselves.
Are there discounts or scholarships available to ride the bus?
Scholarships to ride the bus are available during the SSWSC program registration process.
EZ Scholarship Families (with a 2024 adjusted gross income of $125,000 or less) qualify for discounted bus passes:
- 50% off for families with an AGI of $125,000–$75,000 — $50 for the season for each day of the week purchased.
- 75% off for families with an AGI of $75,000 and below — $25 for the season for each day of the week purchased.
Questions? Call 970-879-0695 or email the SSWSC office.
Are there discounts for multiple family members?
Multi-athlete discounts are available for families who do not qualify for the EZ Scholarship bus discount (AGI of $125,000 or less). Families with two athletes will qualify for a 50% discount for the second and subsequent siblings. The discount will be applied to the athlete with the fewest bus days.
How do families sign up for the SSWSC bus?
To sign up for SSWSC bus passes, log in to the SSWSC registration platform — the same platform used to register for SSWSC programs. Registration will be open mid-September.
Can I prorate my athlete's bus pass price?
The purchase price of the bus pass is the same regardless of when an athlete’s program begins or ends, or if an athlete decides not to ride the bus some of the time. SSWSC will not prorate the bus pass cost for unused days.
What is the refund policy for bus passes?
The refund policy for the bus is the same as for SSWSC programs. There are no refunds in the case of voluntary withdrawals or absences during the season or in any case where the athlete is suspended from the program.
SSWSC bus pass refunds shall be considered in the event of an injury only whereby the athlete is unable to participate in any level of programming for a period greater than four weeks. Refund requests must be made in writing to the SSWSC Office Manager (sswsc@sswsc.org) and will not be considered if received after March 31. Approved refunds will be pro-rated based on time the athlete could not ride the bus.
Will there be a waitlist if the bus fills up?
Yes, if a day fills we will start a waitlist.
Why is SSWSC offering transportation to Howelsen Hill?
SSWSC is offering after-school transportation to support and increase accessibility to programs for athletes with working parents, and to reduce traffic around town and at Howelsen Hill.
Why is SSWSC offering the bus only to 1st–8th graders?
We begin offering the bus to athletes starting in 1st grade because participants must be able to manage their own gear, clothing, and backpacks, and get dressed independently. High school programs typically follow a different schedule and may train earlier in the day.
Will families be allowed to drop gear at Howelsen Hill?
Parents and caregivers may drop off ski boot bags and backpacks daily in the SSWSC locker room on the first floor of Howelsen Lodge between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. All bags must be clearly labeled. Drop locations are safe but not secured — SSWSC has no responsibility for lost or stolen items.
Skis and snowboards should be placed on the racks outside Howelsen Lodge. No overnight storage is available; all items must be picked up daily with the athlete.
Can an athlete with a bus pass ride the bus on any day if there is room?
Athletes will only be allowed to ride the bus for the days they purchase a pass. However, if the athlete’s program ends before the end of the bus season, athletes can still ride to Howelsen on their scheduled day.
Can I loan my bus pass to someone else if I'm not there?
Bus passes are non-transferable and are for the purchasing athlete only. Each athlete must have their own bus pass.
Is ski and snowboard gear allowed on the bus?
Skis and snowboards may not be brought to school, but bus riders may bring their other ski gear and boots. Each school will have a designated location to store gear during the school day.
Will the bus be used for other purposes?
Instead of contracting another bus service this year, the SSWSC bus will be used to transfer our U6 athletes from the Strings Music Festival parking lot to the base area at no cost to families, to help supplement Steamboat Resort transportation to the Gondola Transit Center.
What time will the bus arrive at Howelsen?
The bus is scheduled to arrive at 3:45 PM.
