Residents still waiting on ski pass refund
This came after the Badlands Ski Hill and Drumheller Valley Ski Club (1997) rejected the Town of Drumheller’s offer of short-term lease to open the hill for the remainder of the season.
“We have immediately put in works necessary legalities for this process and are pleased to provide refunds in full to our pass holders,” stated the release.
When the promise to refund passes was posted, it provided links to forms for purchasers to fill out to receive a refund. Now that a month has passed, those who bought passes are still waiting to hear if and when they will get their money back.
Barb Barker said she was first on the list to purchase a pass last September. She and her husband bought passes for their grandchildren.
“My daughter printed this sheet off and we filled it in, and I sent it back to him on February 11, and I haven’t heard anything since,” said Barker.
“It has just gone on and on. We’re seniors and this was our grandchildren’s Christmas present.”
She said she has called the manager and that he put the phone down on her twice.
The Ski Drumheller website says to keep watching the website for the dates that payments will be issued.
Barker does not have a computer, but her friend, who is also hoping for a refund, checks the website every morning hoping to get further direction.
She and another person who wants to receive a refund have explored taking the case to small claims court, out ruled it as cost prohibitive.
“We’ve paid for something that we haven’t received, that’s what peeves me… I guess I am one of many.”
Tracy Kakuk also bought three passes for her children for the season early in the fall. She has followed the directions on the website and continues to wait. She is not optimistic.
“My husband spoke to Amerl a few times and keeps getting promised it will happen,” said Kakuk, “and there has been nothing.”
“I’m getting to the point where I am writing them off. In my mind I am saying, ‘Well, we're not getting it,’” she said.
She has been involved with the ski hill over the years, bringing home school students to ski, her children have worked in the cafeteria, and she has volunteered as an instructor.
She said because the hill has not opened it has the greatest effect on children in the valley.
“It was a good thing for the kids and good for the schools. It keeps kids off the street in the winter and the have a place to go and do things. There are a lot of disappointed people. They are heading off to the mountains, and people are not getting to ski as much because of the expense,” she said.
“It’s going to be a big loss, and I hope people can pick it up. I am willing to take that loss just to see if someone else can start up again and operate it,” said Kakuk.
Attempts to contact Amerl were not immediately returned to inSide Drumheller.
