City: Weston, MO

Category: Parks & Recreation

Telephone: (816) 640-2200

Address: 1 Snow Creek Dr., 5 miles north of Westo

Description: When ski buffs aren’t in a car or van heading to Breckinridge or Vail, you might find them at this ski lodge that opened in 1985. People who expect the Midwest to be flat as a flapjack will be surprised to see a 300-foot vertical drop and enough varied terrain to give beginners and experts plenty of action. Nine intermediate trails are served by two triple chairlifts and one double chairlift, and rope tows get you to the beginner area. The snow base usually ranges from 24 to 60 inches, thanks to 50 snowmaking machines.A lodge features a cafeteria, bar, and lounge and also houses the ski school and gift shop. The rental shop offers shaped skis with plenty of junior sizes, plus snowboards and ski boards. Jason’s Run has enough jumps, bumps, mounds, pipes, and tabletops to keep expert boarders happy. The park opens in mid-Dec and stays open through mid-Mar if the weather cooperates. It’s open seven days a week, offers night skiing beginning in late Dec, and stays open until 3 a.m. for special events.