Development Program
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new connections this winter.
We all know that families who ski together, stick together. That’s why Crescent Hill at Hitchcock’s Development Program isn’t just a skill-building class for kids; It’s an invitation to immerse your family in ski culture and create lifelong memories on the slopes, together. Sign up and give your young explorer the unique opportunity to carve their own adventure with support from our passionate experts, and enjoy discounted season pass rates for parents.
Development Program Benefits
6 Week Course
Starting in January, students attend weekly lessons that build their ski and snowboard skills and confidence.
Season Pass
Students receive access to ski, snowboard, and sledding fun all season long. Skip the ticket lines and hit the hill, whenever it’s most convenient for your family!
Buddy Passes | 1 Sledding & 1 Lift Ticket
Receive one transferable Zibob sledding ticket and one transferable lift ticket to share.
Season Rentals Discount
Enjoy steep discounts on season rental equipment.
Discounts At Partner Resorts
Enjoy a variety of discounts at several partner resorts. Please see details below. New partners added for the 2025-2026 season!
Free Sledding | All Season Long
Enjoy free entry to ALL Zibob sledding events (dates TBD). Online reservations and checking in at the lodge are not required for passholders. Show up, grab a sled, and hit the hill! For the safety of our guests, sledding is for ages 7+ only.
Free Entry | Midnight Madness
Enjoy free entry to ALL Midnight Madness events (dates TBD). Online reservations and checking in at the lodge are not required for passholders. Passholders who require equipment can head straight to our rental shop.
Parent Perks
Parents of students enrolled in the Development Program benefit from discounted season pass and season rental pricing, paving the way for you to join your young learner on the slopes.
FAQs
What is the Development Program?
The Development Program is a six-week learning program designed for skiers and snowboarders ages 7-14. Classes focus on building foundational skills and confidence and enhancing technique. Each class will be broken up by skill level, accommodating learners with varying abilities.
When can I sign up?
Registration for the Development Program opens on October 1st. Spaces are limited and may sell out quickly, so purchasing early is highly recommended.
What sessions can I sign up for?
There are two separate sessions for the Development Program:
- Fridays from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Sundays from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
What are the Development Program's dates?
The Development Program schedule is as follows:
Fridays from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- January 9th
- January 16th
- January 23rd
- January 30th
- February 6th
- February 13th
- Makeup dates: February 20th and February 27th
Sundays from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- January 11th
- January 18th
- January 25th
- February 1st
- February 8th
- February 15th
- Makeup dates: February 22nd and March 1st
Makeup Dates: Makeup dates will only be added if Crescent Hill cancels classes due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
Are rentals included?
Rentals are not included with your Development Program purchase and must be purchased separately. However, Development Program students receive a discount on season rentals, which is listed below.
Development Program Pricing*
*Rates listed below do NOT include taxes (7%) or processing fees (4%). When purchasing your pass products the prices will be shown as out-the-door pricing with the taxes and fees included in the displayed rate. Thank you!
Development Program & Season Pass
- *401.26 with taxes and processing
Development Program Season Rentals
- *$103.13 with taxes and processing
Parent Season Pass
- *$193.94 with taxes and processing
- *The above-listed parent pricing is only for parents/guardians of currently enrolled Development Program students.
Parent Season Rentals
- *$155.11 with taxes and processing
- *The above-listed parent pricing is only for parents/guardians of currently enrolled Development Program students.
Pass Partner Resorts
Galena, Illinois
Receive 50% off regular price lift weekday tickets.
Leadville, Colorado
Receive 3 complimentary days of skiing.
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Receive 50% off lift tickets for the entire season.
Superior, Wisconsin
Receive 3 visits at half price.
Boone, Iowa
Receive 3 visits with half price lift tickets.
Dubuque, Iowa
Receive 1 free lift ticket.
Aurora, Minnesota
NEW for the 25-26 season! Receive 20% off a full-day lift ticket. No limits or blackout dates.
Mazeppa, Minnesota
NEW for the 25-26 season! Receive 1 free lift ticket.
Andalusia, IL
NEW for the 25-26 season! Receive 1 full-day lift ticket. No limits or blackout dates. Please check hours.
Season Schedule*
*Crescent Hill's schedule is weather-dependent and TBD. Please check back in November/December 2025 for updates.Holiday Break Hours
Crescent Hill is generally open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. seven days per week over the weeks of Christmas and New Year's, and then resumes the schedule below. The ski area is closed on Christmas Day. All Holiday Break tickets are weekend pricing, and there are no discounts offered aside from the Pottawattamie County resident lift ticket discount. Sledding may be offered during Holiday Break.
Please note that holiday break hours are weather-dependent and specific dates generally cannot be determined until late November or early December at the earliest. Please check back for updates.
Monday/Tuesday
CLOSED with the following exceptions:
- OPEN for Day Skiing/Boarding during Holiday Break. Please note: Holiday Break hours are weather-dependent and TBD.
- Open on the following federal holidays: MLK Jr. Day (January 19, 2026) and Presidents' Day (February 16, 2026)
- Lodge opens 1 hour before posted open times.
Wednesday
OPEN for Night Skiing/Boarding from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
OPEN for Day Skiing/Boarding during Holiday Break. Please note: Holiday Break hours are weather-dependent and TBD.
- Bring an unexpired canned food donation or new/unopened hygiene item to receive $5 off your lift ticket or rentals.
- Lodge opens 1 hour before posted open times.
Thursday
OPEN for Night Skiing/Boarding from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
OPEN for Day Skiing/Boarding during Holiday Break. Please note: Holiday Break hours are weather-dependent and TBD.
- College/Military Night: Enjoy special discounts for active college students and active military members and their families.
- Lodge opens 1 hour before posted open times.
Friday
OPEN from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Homeschool Days: Enjoy special discounts for homeschool families every Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Scout Nights: Enjoy special discounts for scouts and their families on select dates (TBD) from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Lodge opens 1 hour before posted open times.
Saturday
OPEN from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
OPEN on select dates for Midnight Madness from 8:00 p.m. to Midnight
OPEN on select dates for Sledding from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Midnight Madness: Enjoy discounts on night skiing and boarding until midnight on select dates (TBD).
- Sledding: Enjoy nighttime sledding on select dates (TBD) from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. Please note: For visitor safety, skiing and boarding is NOT permitted during sledding events.
- Lodge opens 1 hour before posted open times.
Sunday
OPEN from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Lodge opens 1 hour before posted open times.