Vail Resorts Offers Top-Notch Beginner Programming for First-Time Skiers and Snowboarders at the Best Resorts in the Country
Make a New Year’s resolution to have more fun with January’s annual Learn to Ski and Ride Month
Broomfield, Colo. – Dec. 9, 2015 – Early-season snow, consistent storms and world-class snowmaking have created excellent conditions for learning to ski or snowboard at Vail Resorts’ ski resorts in Colorado, Lake Tahoe, Utah, Minnesota and Michigan. Beginner lesson plans give guests the opportunity to add a favorite pastime to their winter routine providing a lifetime of memories with friends and family at the nation’s top mountain resorts.
“The terrain, atmosphere and offerings at each resort in the Vail Resorts family appeal to a variety of outdoor enthusiasts,” said Bobby Murphy, director of the Vail Ski and Snowboard School. “Whether guests are looking for ways to be more active, spend time in nature with their loved ones, or simply play in powder, our instructors are trained extensively to coach all ages and ability levels. From introducing first-timers to their newest passion, to experts who want to explore a new mountain or learn to ski more efficiently, Vail Resorts instructors can share their breadth of knowledge with everyone.”
Coaching options for kids and adults include group lessons, Ultimate 4 semi-private lessons, private lessons, specialty clinics and adaptive programming at select locations. Vail Resorts has also expanded lesson offerings to accommodate busy ladies’ schedules with the 4Her: Women in Skiing initiative led by the company’s top women instructors and guides during select dates.
Following are highlights from each mountain’s beginner programming. For additional details on lessons, terrain updates, mountain and village offerings at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in Colorado; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in Lake Tahoe; Park City in Utah; Afton Alps in Minnesota and Mt. Brighton in Michigan please visit each resorts’ respective website or visit Snow.com.
Vail Mountain’s three-day Learn Turn Ride lesson is a valuable option for both kids and adults who want to learn to snowboard. This package is geared specifically toward first-timers and includes three full days of instruction with coaches who will ensure new snowboarders have fun in a safe beginner area as they learn a new sport they will enjoy for years to come. For those more interested in learning to ski, Vail offers an Adult First Time Ski Series, which includes three full days of instruction for beginners for $360 total. While adults are learning, kids can join Ultimate 4, a lesson for up to four children that allows for maximum, tailored one-on-one instruction and individualized feedback for each child. Reserve lessons at Vail.com.
Beaver Creek’s Adult First Time Ski Series offers first-time adult packages for skiers and snowboarders looking to learn on a World Cup mountain via its renowned “Ivy League” Ski and Snowboard School and includes three full-day lessons and three days of lift tickets. Group, semi-private and private lesson options are available for children ages three and older. From beginner group lessons to private guided coaching, skiers and snowboarders of all ability levels are welcomed to discover the mountain’s legendary attention to detail and reputation for world-class instruction. For all lesson options, visit BeaverCreek.com.
Breckenridge will be offering 25 percent off the First Time Adult Ski/Snowboard lesson package, which includes a lift ticket and rental equipment, for the month of January. This package is available for a one-day lesson or three-day series for guests ages 15 and over. In order to reserve, visit the Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month website at skiandsnowboardmonth.org for a promo code, redeemable by calling the Ski and Snowboard School at (970) 453-5000.
Keystone Resort’s adult lessons are all available in a buy two, get one free package starting from $272 for lesson only; $320 includes a three-day lift ticket (lift tickets are required). A one-day lesson and restrictive lift ticket package is available for $152. For children, Camp Keystone’s ski and ride school facility offers themed days, a 24-foot long slide providing 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.
Heavenly Mountain Resort offers adults two lessons for the price of one. The $185 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 (800) HEAVENLY, option 7 and is valid for the adult half-day group lesson for guests age 14 and over. To book lessons, or for more information, visit SkiHeavenly.com.
Northstar California is home to the Burton Snowboard Academy located within the Adventure, Guiding and Learning Center, in addition to a world-class Ski and Snowboard School. For Learn to Ski and Ride Month the resort offers Half-Day Morning Beginner Ski and Snowboard group lessons starting at $155 and including all-day equipment rentals and limited-access lift tickets. Visit NorthstarCalifornia.com for more details and to reserve.
Kirkwood Mountain Resort’s world-class learning terrain offers mellow, groomed runs as well as steeper adventures for any lesson type. Kirkwood’s Timber Creek facility is home to snowplay areas including the Gold Rush Adventure zone, the ‘Trench of Terror’ and the mighty ‘Ditch of Doom’ – perfect stomping grounds for adventurous first-timers whether they’re kids or kids-at-heart. Programming at Kirkwood includes the Mini Rippers program for three to four year olds at $150 for a full-day and $122 for a half-day lesson. The Mt. Explorer program for kids age five to 12 is $136 for a full-day lesson and $105 for a half-day. Both programs include lift tickets and rental equipment. For additional information and to make reservations, please visit Kirkwood.com.
Park City is participating in Learn to Ski and Ride Month and offers the World’s Largest Ski/Snowboard Lesson, offering a $45 all-day adult, never-ever lesson on Friday, Jan. 8. The package includes a lesson, lift ticket, and rental equipment and takes place out of both base locations. Capacity is limited and reservations must be made prior to Friday, Jan. 1 by calling Park City at (435) 647-5445; reference "Ski Utah Learn to Ski Program/World's Largest Ski/Snowboard Lesson" when calling. For more information visit ParkCityMountain.com.
Afton Alps is home to the only dedicated Children’s Learning Center in the region and Vail Resorts’ legendary ski school offerings are officially in session. The Mountain Explorers program is a five-week series for kids age four to 12 offering morning or afternoon ski or snowboard lesson options. $215 includes half-day lessons and parents can purchase additional options including supervised lunch, five-day lift tickets and five-day equipment rentals. Additional details can be found online at AftonAlps.com.
Mt. Brighton invites first-timers to the Discover Michigan Skiing program which includes a beginner ski or snowboard lesson, rental equipment and a beginner-area lift ticket all for just $35. Mt. Brighton has teamed-up with Michigan McDonald’s restaurants and the MSIA to offer an affordable introduction to snow sports. Please visit MtBrighton.com to learn more.
Mountainside Lodging makes for the complete ski or snowboard vacation getaway. After exploring Vail Resorts slopes in first-timer lessons and strolling through the vibrant villages for great shopping and dining options, guests will need a place to rest their heads. The mountain properties offer an array of lodging options, from world-class hotels and condos, to private homes and chalets for the entire family. In-resort lodging includes amenities essential to never-ever skiers including spa and gym access as well as equipment storage and close proximity for multi-day lessons. When booking beginner ski lessons, visit Snow.com and search lift and lodging offers by mountain.
The Junior Trade Up Program is perfect for families with growing kids. As they build technique in skiing and snowboarding they require more advanced and larger equipment to keep up with them. The Junior Trade Up program provides the perfect outlet for families to stay up-to-date with snow equipment technology by trading in their gently used gear. After the initial equipment purchase in the first year, skis and snowboards can be traded-in the following year for another set of new and re-fitted equipment at a 50 percent credit on the original price when they update sizes in each following season at locations in Colorado, Utah and California. Please visit ColoradoSkiAndGolf.com for additional information.
“The terrain, atmosphere and offerings at each resort in the Vail Resorts family appeal to a variety of outdoor enthusiasts,” said Bobby Murphy, director of the Vail Ski and Snowboard School. “Whether guests are looking for ways to be more active, spend time in nature with their loved ones, or simply play in powder, our instructors are trained extensively to coach all ages and ability levels. From introducing first-timers to their newest passion, to experts who want to explore a new mountain or learn to ski more efficiently, Vail Resorts instructors can share their breadth of knowledge with everyone.”
Coaching options for kids and adults include group lessons, Ultimate 4 semi-private lessons, private lessons, specialty clinics and adaptive programming at select locations. Vail Resorts has also expanded lesson offerings to accommodate busy ladies’ schedules with the 4Her: Women in Skiing initiative led by the company’s top women instructors and guides during select dates.
Following are highlights from each mountain’s beginner programming. For additional details on lessons, terrain updates, mountain and village offerings at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in Colorado; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in Lake Tahoe; Park City in Utah; Afton Alps in Minnesota and Mt. Brighton in Michigan please visit each resorts’ respective website or visit Snow.com.
Vail Mountain’s three-day Learn Turn Ride lesson is a valuable option for both kids and adults who want to learn to snowboard. This package is geared specifically toward first-timers and includes three full days of instruction with coaches who will ensure new snowboarders have fun in a safe beginner area as they learn a new sport they will enjoy for years to come. For those more interested in learning to ski, Vail offers an Adult First Time Ski Series, which includes three full days of instruction for beginners for $360 total. While adults are learning, kids can join Ultimate 4, a lesson for up to four children that allows for maximum, tailored one-on-one instruction and individualized feedback for each child. Reserve lessons at Vail.com.
Beaver Creek’s Adult First Time Ski Series offers first-time adult packages for skiers and snowboarders looking to learn on a World Cup mountain via its renowned “Ivy League” Ski and Snowboard School and includes three full-day lessons and three days of lift tickets. Group, semi-private and private lesson options are available for children ages three and older. From beginner group lessons to private guided coaching, skiers and snowboarders of all ability levels are welcomed to discover the mountain’s legendary attention to detail and reputation for world-class instruction. For all lesson options, visit BeaverCreek.com.
Breckenridge will be offering 25 percent off the First Time Adult Ski/Snowboard lesson package, which includes a lift ticket and rental equipment, for the month of January. This package is available for a one-day lesson or three-day series for guests ages 15 and over. In order to reserve, visit the Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month website at skiandsnowboardmonth.org for a promo code, redeemable by calling the Ski and Snowboard School at (970) 453-5000.
Keystone Resort’s adult lessons are all available in a buy two, get one free package starting from $272 for lesson only; $320 includes a three-day lift ticket (lift tickets are required). A one-day lesson and restrictive lift ticket package is available for $152. For children, Camp Keystone’s ski and ride school facility offers themed days, a 24-foot long slide providing 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.
Heavenly Mountain Resort offers adults two lessons for the price of one. The $185 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 (800) HEAVENLY, option 7 and is valid for the adult half-day group lesson for guests age 14 and over. To book lessons, or for more information, visit SkiHeavenly.com.
Northstar California is home to the Burton Snowboard Academy located within the Adventure, Guiding and Learning Center, in addition to a world-class Ski and Snowboard School. For Learn to Ski and Ride Month the resort offers Half-Day Morning Beginner Ski and Snowboard group lessons starting at $155 and including all-day equipment rentals and limited-access lift tickets. Visit NorthstarCalifornia.com for more details and to reserve.
Kirkwood Mountain Resort’s world-class learning terrain offers mellow, groomed runs as well as steeper adventures for any lesson type. Kirkwood’s Timber Creek facility is home to snowplay areas including the Gold Rush Adventure zone, the ‘Trench of Terror’ and the mighty ‘Ditch of Doom’ – perfect stomping grounds for adventurous first-timers whether they’re kids or kids-at-heart. Programming at Kirkwood includes the Mini Rippers program for three to four year olds at $150 for a full-day and $122 for a half-day lesson. The Mt. Explorer program for kids age five to 12 is $136 for a full-day lesson and $105 for a half-day. Both programs include lift tickets and rental equipment. For additional information and to make reservations, please visit Kirkwood.com.
Park City is participating in Learn to Ski and Ride Month and offers the World’s Largest Ski/Snowboard Lesson, offering a $45 all-day adult, never-ever lesson on Friday, Jan. 8. The package includes a lesson, lift ticket, and rental equipment and takes place out of both base locations. Capacity is limited and reservations must be made prior to Friday, Jan. 1 by calling Park City at (435) 647-5445; reference "Ski Utah Learn to Ski Program/World's Largest Ski/Snowboard Lesson" when calling. For more information visit ParkCityMountain.com.
Afton Alps is home to the only dedicated Children’s Learning Center in the region and Vail Resorts’ legendary ski school offerings are officially in session. The Mountain Explorers program is a five-week series for kids age four to 12 offering morning or afternoon ski or snowboard lesson options. $215 includes half-day lessons and parents can purchase additional options including supervised lunch, five-day lift tickets and five-day equipment rentals. Additional details can be found online at AftonAlps.com.
Mt. Brighton invites first-timers to the Discover Michigan Skiing program which includes a beginner ski or snowboard lesson, rental equipment and a beginner-area lift ticket all for just $35. Mt. Brighton has teamed-up with Michigan McDonald’s restaurants and the MSIA to offer an affordable introduction to snow sports. Please visit MtBrighton.com to learn more.
Mountainside Lodging makes for the complete ski or snowboard vacation getaway. After exploring Vail Resorts slopes in first-timer lessons and strolling through the vibrant villages for great shopping and dining options, guests will need a place to rest their heads. The mountain properties offer an array of lodging options, from world-class hotels and condos, to private homes and chalets for the entire family. In-resort lodging includes amenities essential to never-ever skiers including spa and gym access as well as equipment storage and close proximity for multi-day lessons. When booking beginner ski lessons, visit Snow.com and search lift and lodging offers by mountain.
The Junior Trade Up Program is perfect for families with growing kids. As they build technique in skiing and snowboarding they require more advanced and larger equipment to keep up with them. The Junior Trade Up program provides the perfect outlet for families to stay up-to-date with snow equipment technology by trading in their gently used gear. After the initial equipment purchase in the first year, skis and snowboards can be traded-in the following year for another set of new and re-fitted equipment at a 50 percent credit on the original price when they update sizes in each following season at locations in Colorado, Utah and California. Please visit ColoradoSkiAndGolf.com for additional information.
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About Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN)
Vail Resorts, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is the leading global mountain resort operator. The Company’s subsidiaries operate nine world-class mountain resorts and two urban ski areas, including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in Colorado; Park City in Utah; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in the Lake Tahoe area of California and Nevada; Perisher in Australia; Afton Alps in Minnesota and Mt. Brighton in Michigan. The Company owns and/or manages a collection of casually elegant hotels under the RockResorts brand, as well as the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyo. Vail Resorts Development Company is the real estate planning and development subsidiary of Vail Resorts, Inc. Vail Resorts is a publicly held company traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: MTN). The Vail Resorts company website is www.vailresorts.com and consumer website is www.snow.com.
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Vail Resorts Communications, news@vailresorts.com