Prepare For Your Lesson

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What to Expect

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Prep For The Lesson

Best pricing is available online, in advance. To book a group lesson within 24 hours or a private lesson within 48 hours, please visit one of our Ski & Snowboard sales locations or call ahead. Our cancellation policy is available here. Make sure all members of your group have a pass or lift ticket and rentgear if needed.
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Our Commitment To Safety

Click here for the most up to date information on our safety protocols. 
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Early Is On Time

Arrive 30 minutes before the lesson to allow time for check-in. If you or your child are picking up rental gear, arrive 60 minutes early.
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Check-In For The Day

Check-in for the lesson at the location or base area you selected while booking. 
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Meet Our World-Class Instructors

All group lessons will be sorted by ability level and child lessons will be sorted by age. The instructor will determine a plan for the day based on individual needs or group goals. 
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CONQUER THE MOUNTAIN

World-class instructors will help all participants have fun exploring more of the mountain by practicing new techniques at their own pace. All Full Day lessons will include a break for lunch, with food provided only for child lessons. Half Day and Bundled AM / PM lessons will not include lunch.
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PICK UP YOUR ADVENTURER

If you are dropping off a child, make sure to confirm location and pick-up time. The instructor will provide a summary of their lesson and your child's progress at pick-up. 

 

Gratuities: Instructor gratuity is at your discretion. Please note, a 15-20% gratuity based on the cost of the lesson will make your instructor feel very appreciated and valued. 

What to Bring

  • Face covering: Face coverings are not required during lessons, in gondolas, or indoor spaces at this time. However, face coverings are still required on busses and shuttles. 
  • Helmet: The use of helmets is strongly recommended. Children age 14 and under must wear a winter sport protective helmet while participating in ski & ride school, subject to local regulations. In addition, children and teens under age 18 who participate in designated children's classes or programs must wear a helmet. Rental helmets are available at our children's ski school locations for your convenience.
  • Warm clothes including water-resistant outerwear, warm calf-high socks, and gloves or mittens.
  • Goggles or sunglasses
  • Sunscreen is recommended, even on cloudy days.
  • Don’t have your own gear? Rent with Jack Frost/Big Boulder and let our experts fit you with the best boots, skis or snowboard for your best day on the mountain.

Where to Go - Big Boulder

  • Please arrive at the mountain at least 90 minutes prior to your lesson if renting ski or snowboard equipment to allow for lesson check in and rental fitting, or 30 minutes if not renting equipment to allow for lesson check in.
  • Please check-in for your lesson and pick up your lesson packet at the Ski and Ride School FIRST, continue to the rental shop if rentals are needed, then report to the lesson meeting area on the snow.
  • Lesson packet pick-up for all lessons will be located at the Ski and Ride School office.  The Ski and Ride School Office is beyond the bank of ticketing windows when approaching from the parking lot. From the Ski and Ride School check in, the rental shop is straight ahead and down the steps (follow signage).  Once down the steps, the rental shop is beyond The Basement (Pro Shop) on the right.

WHERE TO CHECK-IN

  • Adult Group Lessons

    • AM Check In: Please allow ample time to get checked-in and through the rental shop (if applicable), booted up, and on the snow by the green flag at the base of the Little Boulder slope (located outside of the Ski and Ride School office) at least 10 minutes prior to the start of your lesson time. Lessons start at 10am on Saturdays and Sundays only. 
    • PM Check In: Please allow ample time to get checked-in and through the rental shop (if applicable), booted up, and on the snow by the green flag at the base of the Little Boulder slope (located outside of the Ski and Ride School office) at least 10 minutes prior to the start of your lesson time. Lessons start at 1pm on Saturdays and Sundays only, and 4pm every day.

  • Youth Group Lessons 

    •  AM Check In: Please allow ample time to get checked-in and through the rental shop (if applicable), booted up, and on the snow by the green flag at the base of the Little Boulder slope (located outside of the Ski and Ride School office) at least 10 minutes prior to the start of your lesson time. Lessons start at 10am on Saturdays and Sundays only.
    • PM Check In: Please allow ample time to get checked-in and through the rental shop (if applicable), booted up, and on the snow by the green flag at the base of the Little Boulder slope (located outside of the Ski and Ride School office) at least 10 minutes prior to the start of your lesson time. Lessons start at 1pm on Saturdays and Sundays only, and 4pm every day.
  • Private Lessons 
    • Private Lessons will meet on the snow by the red flag at the base of the Little Boulder slope at least 10 minutes prior to the start of your lesson time.  All lessons start on the hour, if you are late for your scheduled lesson time, we may not be able to accommodate your lesson.

If you arrive late for any lesson and cannot complete check-in prior to the lesson time, we may not be able to accommodate you in a lesson for that day. 

Where to Go - Jack Frost

Where to Go

  • Please arrive at the mountain at least 90 minutes prior to your lesson if renting ski or snowboard equipment to allow for lesson check in and rental fitting, or 30 minutes if not renting equipment to allow for lesson check in.
  • Please check-in for your lesson and pick up your lesson packet at the Ski and Ride School FIRST, continue through the rental shop if rentals are needed, then report to the lesson meeting area on the snow.
  • Lesson packet pick-up for all lessons will be located at the Ski and Ride School office.  The Ski and Ride School Office is located at the west end of the Rental Building, located just beyond the Main Lodge.  If rentals are required, continue to the designated lesson participant rental area.

Where to Check In

  • Adult Group Lessons  
    • AM Check In: Please allow ample time to get checked-in, through rentals if applicable, booted up, and on the snow by the green flag at the green flag inside the learning center archway at least 10 minutes prior to the start of your lesson time. Lessons start at 10am. 
    • PM Check In: Please allow ample time to get checked-in, through rentals if applicable, booted up, and on the snow at the green flag inside the learning center archway at least 10 minutes prior to the start of your lesson time. Lessons start at 1pm. 

  • Youth Group Lessons

    • AM Check In: Please allow ample time to get checked-in, through rentals if applicable, booted up, and on the snow at the green flag inside the learning center archway at least 10 minutes prior to the start of your lesson time. Lessons start at 10am. 
    • PM Check In: Please allow ample time to get checked-in, through rentals if applicable, booted up, and on the snow at the green flag inside the learning center archway at least 10 minutes prior to the start of your lesson time. Lessons start at 1pm.

  • Private Lessons
     
    • Private lessons will meet on the snow at the red flag inside the learning center archway at least 10 minutes prior to the start of your lesson time.  All lessons start on the hour, if you are late for your scheduled lesson time, we may not be able to accommodate your lesson.

 
If you arrive late for any lesson and cannot complete check-in prior to the lesson time, we may not be able to accommodate you in a lesson for that day.   

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)

What ski and ride school offerings will you provide this year at your resorts?
We are pleased to be resuming more ski and ride school programs this season, including those for younger children. Specifics can be found on our ski and ride school page.

 

Will face coverings be required in ski and ride school this season?
No. Face coverings are not required to ski and ride, or in gondolas or indoor spaces at this time, unless required by local public health or CDC designation. This includes restaurants, lodging properties, restrooms, retail and rental locations, and base areas. However, face coverings are still required on buses and shuttles.

 

What is the cancellation and refund policy for Ski & Ride School lessons?
Changes or cancellations can be made in advance of your lesson date by contacting the Ski & Ride School conducting your lesson. Any Ski & Ride School product that is cancelled prior to 24 hours of the lesson start time will be issued a full refund. Any Ski & Ride School product that is cancelled within 24 hours of the lesson start time will be charged a cancellation fee.

For more information on refunds and cancellations, please refer to the Ski & Ride School Terms of Sale. 

Do I need a vaccine to ski and ride this season?
No. Vaccinations are not required to ski or ride during the 2021/22 season. Additionally, thanks to continued improvement in COVID-19 cases, proof of vaccination is no longer required for guests to dine at our indoor cafeteria-style restaurants, effective Saturday, Mar. 12, 2022.

 

Will you change this policy if the situation with COVID-19 increases?
All of our COVID-19 safety protocols are subject to change, however, we believe guests can assume this will be our policy for the remainder of the 2021-22 season.

 

Are you requiring your staff to be vaccinated?
Yes. Vail Resorts currently requires all employees to be vaccinated for COVID-19.

 

Will Vail Resorts require proof of vaccination to enter or dine at restaurants?
No. As of March 12, we do not require proof of vaccination for guests to access any area of the resort, including dining and ski and ride school.