Prepare For Your Lesson

What ski and snowboard lesson offerings will you provide this year at your resorts?
We are pleased to offer a range of ski and snowboard programming including group lessons, private lessons as well as season-long programs and specialty programs. Specific lesson details can be found on our Ski and Ride School pages.

 

When will season long programs be available for enrollment?
Seasonal programs for the 2024-2025 season will be available for new participant registration starting the last week of August. Please note that early registration for some seasonal programs has been granted to previous program participants. This may result in limited spots for new participants.

 

What is included with a ski or snowboard lesson?
Each lesson will include professional instruction from one of our instructors. If offered, full day children's group lessons will include lunch. Participants will be responsible for bringing or purchasing their own food in private lessons, group lessons for adults, and season long and specialty lessons for children unless specified in the program details.

 

Do lessons Include rentals and lift tickets?
As the standard, lessons do not include lift tickets or rentals. These items must be purchased separately, and all lessons require a valid lift ticket or season pass to participate. While purchasing a group lesson, you can add-on lift tickets and rentals at a discounted rate. You may bring your own equipment. Passes are available to purchase here. Buy in advance and online for the best rates.

 

What should I bring to my lesson?
All lesson participants must have a valid season pass or lift ticket and ski or snowboard equipment. All minors must have a parent/guardian present at pick-up and drop-off. For complete details on what to bring and when to arrive, checkout our Know Before You Go page.

Weather conditions will vary and remember you will spend the day outside! We recommend dressing in layers, including warm clothes, googles/sunglasses and sunscreen. Though they may be available in the resort's retail shop, the Ski and Ride School does not have these items available to borrow or rent.  

 

What if I have special needs or requests, e.g. Drug or Food Allergies?
We do our best to accommodate dietary needs and offer different options when possible. When registering for child group lessons, you will have an opportunity either when booking or when checking in for the lessons to inform us of drug or food allergies. Severe allergy concerns or circumstances should be discussed with the school staff directly prior to your visit.

Parents of children with severe food allergies or dietary restrictions are strongly encouraged to send appropriate lunches and/or snacks with their children. Any food items that accompany a child to the lesson must be nut free.

 

Does my child need to be potty trained to participate in a lesson?
Yes, all children are required to be potty trained to participate in Ski and Ride School lessons.

 

Can and should I tip my instructor?
Gratuities for instructors are not a requirement but an appropriate and appreciated gesture. To tip via a credit card, please see us in person at any Ski and Ride School sales office and be prepared to provide the name of the instructor.

 

What is the cancellation and refund policy for Ski & Ride School lessons? 
Changes or cancellations can ONLY be made in advance of your lesson date by contacting the Ski & Ride School conducting your lesson. A cancellation Fee will be assessed for a guest when they cancel either a Group or Private Lesson as follows:

• Any Ski & Ride School Product that is cancelled 48 hours or more prior to the lesson's start time will be issued a full refund.
• Any Ski & Ride School Product that is cancelled within 48 hours of the lesson’s start time will be charged the Cancellation Fee.
• For Ski & Ride School Products that contain one lesson day, the Cancellation Fee is 50% of the cost of the lesson.
• For Ski & Ride School Products that contain multiple lesson days, and a full Cancellation is required, the Cancellation Fee is 50% of the cost of the first lesson. All other days in a multiple lesson Ski & Ride School Product will be fully refunded.
• The resort will not cancel lessons due to weather if the resort itself is operational. For more detailed information on refunds and cancellations, including the policy for Seasonal or Season-Long Programs, please refer to the Terms of Sale. 

Yes, a lift ticket or season pass is required for all lessons.

The use of helmets is strongly recommended. Children age 14 and under must wear a winter sport protective helmet while participating in ski and ride school. In addition, children and teens under age 18 who participate in designated children's classes or programs must wear a helmet. While helmets may reduce or mitigate the severity of some head injuries, their use does not guarantee safety and will not prevent certain injuries. Rental helmets are available at our children's ski school locations for your convenience.

Parents are encouraged to leave their child with the instructor in order to have the full attention of the child during the lesson. If you would like to briefly watch the beginning of the lesson, please stay on the opposite side of the fence and watch from a distance. Hanging out at the base, in the ski school, or in the lodge for the entire lesson will not be permitted.

Yes, we rent ski boots, skis and poles OR snowboard and snowboard boots. Helmets are also available for rent. Purchase as add-ons with your lesson.

No, there is no make up date if you or your child can not make their lesson. The lessons are date specific and nonrefundable. If Snow Creek closes for any reason, we will contact you with options and next steps.

Lesson reschedules/cancellations must be received via email no later than 48 hours prior to lesson start time. Any cancellation made less than 48 hours prior to lesson will be charged a 50% late cancellation fee. Lessons not cancelled prior to lesson start time will not be eligible for any refund. For Multiweek/multiday lessons this policy applies to the first day of lessons. Email: SnowCreekSkiSchool@vailresorts.com

When you are signing up for a lessons, we will ask what level skier/snowboarder you are. This helps us put you with the right instructor and class for your needs.
If you aren’t sure which level your child is, or they are in between levels, please choose a lower level. Our trained instructors will move them up when they are ready.

Ski
Level 0 - First Timer: New to the sport, Never tried it before
Level 1 - Beginner: Spent a few hours on the learning hill, Can successfully put on and take off equipment, Can move around on flat terrain, Comfortable gliding and stopping on easiest learning terrain, Can sometimes make simple direction changes while sliding
Level 2 - Advance Beginner: Comfortable gliding and making turns on beginner terrain, Can make "wedge turns" easily and may even begin parallel turns
Level 3 - Intermediate: Successfully loads and unloads chairlift, Can ski parallel with occasional wedge, Can safely and confidently complete all green terrain and some blue terrain
Level 4 - Strong Intermediate: Can ski parallel consistently and confidently, Can begin to vary size and types of turns, Can safely and confidently complete all beginner and intermediate terrain
Level 5 and 6 - Advanced: Comfortable on variable snow conditions, Comfortable using poles to link turns, Can safely and confidently ski all blue terrain and some advanced terrain

Snowboard
Level 0 - First Timer: New to the sport, Never tried it before
Level 1 - Beginner: Spent a few hours on the learning hill, Can successfully put on and take off equipment, Can move around on flat terrain, Comfortable gliding and stopping on easiest learning terrain, Can sometimes make simple direction changes while sliding
Level 2 - Advance Beginner: Comfortable gliding and making turns on beginner terrain, Can link turn heel to toe easily
Level 3 - Intermediate: Successfully loads and unloads chairlift
Board link heel to toe turns, Can safely and confidently complete all green terrain and some blue terrain
Level 4 - Strong Intermediate: Board link heel to toe turns, Can begin to vary size and types of turns, Can safely and confidently complete all beginner and intermediate terrain
Level 5 and 6 - Advanced: Comfortable on variable snow conditions, Can safely and confidently ski all blue terrain and some advanced terrain