Business Spotlight: Snow Bluff Fun Area evolves to keep entertaining

The game is fast and furious. You can run, but you can't hide for long. Sooner or later, someone is going to tag you, and the paintball game will be over.

Once known for its snowballs, Snow Bluff Fun Area is now known for its paintballs. This spring, owners Bill and Becki Durbin closed down the park's ski area and built Pursuit Park, a mazelike enclosure where paintball games are held.

"We had three mild winters in a row, and it just didn't make sense to keep the ski area going," Becki Durbin said. "We were spending $5,000 a month to make snow when it was too warm to keep it."

When the Durbins founded the business in 1988, it was called Snow Bluff Ski & Fun Area. At the time, Snow Bluff was one of only three family entertainment centers in Missouri that catered to skiers.

During the winter, Snow Bluff would employ as many as 70 people who rented ski equipment, ran the ski lodge, operated the ski lift, or made the snow used on the seven ski runs and tube hill.

In the summer, the Durbins would scale back their work force to 10 employees. These employees would oversee operations at the go-cart track, driving range and mini-golf course.

Over the years, the Durbins began to add more attractions to draw summer customers. They built a junior go-cart track, a lake for paddleboats, a pond for bumper boats, a swimming pool, a volleyball court, a basketball court, a batting range, a small roller coaster and a picnic pavilion.

Given the variety of rides and entertainment that can be found at Snow Bluff, it's not surprising that many area businesses, youth groups and churches rent out the pavilion for parties, picnics and other gatherings. According to the Durbins, the number of groups who rent the pavilion has grown over time, and now more than 100 groups hold gatherings at Snow Bluff each year.

Groups that rent the pavilion have access to the swimming pool, horseshoe pit, volleyball court, basketball court, children's play area and the paddleboat lake. Groups also are given the option of purchasing three hours of unlimited rides, unlimited mini-golf games and one hour of use at the batting range.

"The biggest group we've ever hosted had approximately 1,500 people," Becki Durbin said. "Although we don't provide catering for these groups, we do help groups find a good caterer. We also can arrange for a clown or DJ to come to the function, or set up a moon walk for kids."

Although it attracts a lot of groups, Snow Bluff also attracts many individuals and families.

Visitors who come to Snow Bluff, which is located on Highway 13 in Brighton, can pay by the ride or purchase a family pass. Snow Bluff also offers discounted rates for groups.

Because Snow Bluff is a seasonal business, its hours vary. Currently, Snow Bluff is open by appointment only for groups interested in using the go-carts or for paintball games.

The Durbins are in the process of setting up several paintball leagues, which will meet for matches year-round.

"We want to build up some paintball leagues and start holding tournaments," Becki Durbin said.

"This spring, we'll start our Road to Aruba' tournament. The team that wins the tournament will get a free trip to Aruba," she said.

In addition, the Durbins are in the process of upgrading their go-carts. They also have plans to purchase several new bumper boats.

"Running this place takes a lot of work, but it's also a lot of fun," Becki Durbin said. "We enjoy giving people a place to go where they can just have fun."