News Archive

 
Broomfield, Colo. — Dec. 15, 2014 — As the New Year approaches and resolutions begin to take form, learning to ski or ride is an excellent way to become more active, participate in a new sport and enjoy the outdoors with friends and family. There’s no better time to learn than January – National Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month, a snowsports initiative designed to encourage new participants to try skiing and snowboarding. And, there’s no better place to learn than at Vail Resorts’ 11 mountain destinations. Each location offers an extensive lineup of lesson options for those looking to take their first mountain turns, or strengthen current skills.
 
“All of our resorts provide a variety of excellent season-round options for guests to enhance their skiing or riding skills, including products that are truly geared toward the never-evers,” said Blaise Carrig, mountain division president of Vail Resorts. “January is a great time for first-time guests to experience the sports that we are so passionate about, at the best mountain resorts in the country.”
 
All of Vail Resorts' Ski and Ride Schools have top-notch lesson options available for all experience levels, from first-timers to lifers and everything in between. Children, teens, adults and seniors can take advantage of a variety of skiing and riding offerings including group lessons, Ultimate 4 semi-private lessons, private lessons, specialty clinics and adaptive programs (at select locations).
 
Introduced for the 2014-15 season, Vail Resorts is offering new programs and products in an effort to increase women's participation in skiing and snowboarding. During select dates, resorts will offer the Women's Ultimate 4, a lesson for women where they can join fellow women and a female coach to learn or enhance skiing or riding skills in a small-group setting. Further information and dates can be found at resorts' individual websites. 
 
Detailed information for lessons at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in Colorado; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in the Lake Tahoe area of California and Nevada; Park City and Canyons in Utah; Afton Alps in Minnesota and Mt. Brighton in Michigan can be found at the resorts respective websites. For never-evers looking to step onto skis or a snowboard for the first time, the following programs will have guests making turns in no time.
 
In Colorado, Vail Mountain offers adults the First Time Ski Series or the Learn Turn Ride package with each starting at $340 and includes three full-day group lessons and three days of lift tickets. Children’s skiing and snowboarding lessons are available in group, semi-private and private options. For these and all Vail adult and child lesson options, advanced purchase and further information can be found online at vail.com.
 
Beaver Creek provides the opportunity to learn on a World Cup mountain at their “Ivy League” Ski and Snowboard School. Beaver Creek’s Adult First Time Ski Series offers first-time adult packages for skiers and snowboarders which include three full-day lessons and three days of lift tickets starting at $360. Group, semi-private and private lesson options are available for children 3-and-older. For further information for all lesson options, or to book lessons, visit beavercreek.com.
 
First-time guests at Breckenridge can purchase the Adult Discovery Series package, which includes three days of full-day group lessons, limited access lift tickets and rental equipment starting at $320. For guests seeking a full mountain lift ticket, adult first-time skiers and riders can purchase a three-day lesson and lift package for $353. Additional adult and child lesson information, as well as advanced purchases, are available online at breckenridge.com. Guests staying at One Ski Hill Place, DoubleTree by Hilton Breckenridge or the Village Hotel have the added convenience of children’s ski school pick-up on-site at their hotels.
 
Keystone Resort’s beginner, intermediate or adult lessons are all available in a buy two get one free package starting from $262. First-time adult skiers and riders can purchase a $15 limited access lift ticket with any beginner lesson. For Children, Camp Keystone’s ski and ride school facility offers themed days, a 24-foot long slide that provides access to the snow from inside the building, and guarantees children the same instructor with three or more days of ski school booked in the Mountain House location. Additional adult and child lesson options can be purchased in advance online at keystoneresort.com.
 
In Lake Tahoe, Heavenly Mountain Resort offers adults two lessons for the price of one. The $179 package includes two consecutive days of half-day skiing or snowboarding lessons, limited access lift tickets and rental equipment. This package is available with advanced purchase by calling 530-542-6904. Children’s ski lessons begin at age 4 while children snowboard lessons begin at age 5, and are available in group or private lessons. To book lessons, or for more information, visit skiheavenly.com.
 
Northstar California offers a variety of lesson options for first-time snow enthusiasts as well as world-class guides that can be paired with seasoned skiers and snowboarders. Private lessons include first-class private lift lane privileges for quick access to the slopes, undivided one-on-one attention or the option to share with up to six friends or family members, as well as customizable experiences based on skier level and desired terrain. Group and semi-private lessons are available for children and adults all season at Northstar. Ultimate 4 lessons provide students with more one-on-one time with instructors and group lessons are a fun way to build confidence as well as customizable experiences with the Adventure, Guiding and Learning Center. Reservations can be made online at northstarcalifornia.com or by calling 1-800-GO-NORTH.
 
Kirkwood provides half-day beginner lessons for first-time adult guests starting at $57. These skiing and snowboarding lessons are available in morning and afternoon sessions. Kirkwood offers full-day and half-day lesson options for ski and snowboard first-timers as young as 3-years-old. Those in beginner lessons can take advantage of the two magic carpets located in the Timber Creek learning area. More information and reservations can be found online at kirkwood.com.

In Utah, Park City Mountain Resort will offer Utah residents a $45 afternoon skiing or snowboarding lesson from Jan. 5-16 and Jan. 20-30. Lessons for 6-14 year olds will be held from 1-3 p.m. and anyone 15 and older can take lessons from 1-4 p.m. Reservations are required and availability is limited, guests can call 800-227-2754 to reserve.
 
Class sizes are limited to five adults per instructor during Park City’s never-ever half-day skiing and snowboarding lessons. The morning or afternoon lessons include lift tickets and are available throughout the winter season. All lesson offerings at Park City for children and adults are limited to no more than five participants and reservations can be made online at parkcitymountian.com or by calling 800-227-2754.
 
Canyons Resort will provide first-time skiers and riders with a $45 package complete with a full-day lesson, beginner area lift ticket and rental equipment. This is available for Utah residents aged 4 or older from Jan. 5-16 and Jan. 19-31. Reservations are required and availability is limited; call 435-615-3449 to reserve.
 
The adult learn to ski or ride packages at Canyons are designed to allow flexibility with learning, as guests receive three days of lessons, three days of lift tickets and four days of rental equipment. The lessons may be any three days in a four day span, providing the option to either enjoy a day skiing/riding or resting between lessons; a lift ticket is required during lessons. Available season-long, these packages start at $399 and may be purchased online at canyonsresort.com.
 
Minnesota’s Afton Alps offers first-time skiers and riders a $30 1.5-hour group lesson for anyone aged 7 and older, or a $15 1.5-hour group lesson with purchase of a preferred program lift ticket and rental. Michigan’s Mt. Brighton teams up with Michigan McDonald’s restaurants to offer an affordable introduction to skiing and snowboarding. Skiing and snowboarding lessons begin at $35 with a voucher and more information can be found at goskimichigan.com or by calling 810-229-9581. Mt. Brighton also offers adult half-day or full-day group lessons every weekend, while children’s lessons for anyone three and older are available daily. Further information can be found at aftonalps.com and mtbrighton.com.