Prepare For Your Lesson

 
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What To Expect

  • Enhanced safety protocols: We will be limiting the class size of all group and private lessons to six or fewer people. All participants will be required to complete a pre-arrival self-health screening on the day of and prior to the start of their lesson (and each day of consecutive day lessons). All lessons will meet outdoors and practice physical distancing. Children in group lessons will be considered cohorts and will be permitted to ride lifts together with their instructor. For all lessons, participants will meet on snow, not indoors. Face coverings will be required.
  • Lessons & Reservations: Please book your lessons at least 48 hours in advance. A mountain access reservation is included with the purchase of a Ski School lesson and applies to the lesson participant(s) only.
    • If booking a private lesson, please complete this form at least 3 days in advance of your private lesson to reserve mountain access for all guests in your lesson (up to 6 guests are allowed in one private lesson).
  • Lift tickets or Pass Products: A lift ticket or eligible pass product will be required for all lesson participants.
    • Private Lessons: If booking a private lesson, we recommend buying a lift ticket when you book your private lesson, as lift tickets may not be available day-of. If lift tickets are not available online for the day of your private lesson, please contact the Ski & Ride School directly.
  • Lunch: We are offering half-day group lessons currently. These lessons do not include lunch. Private full day lessons will have a break for lunch. Please note, lunch is not included in the purchase of a private lesson.
  • Cancelation Policy: Lesson reservations must be cancelled at least 48 hours before the scheduled lesson start time. To review the full terms of sale and cancellation policy, please click here.
  • 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 will be required for all Ski & Ride School participants.
  • 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.

Self-Health Screening

The health and safety of our guests is our first priority. We have established comprehensive Health and Safety measures to keep our guests, employees, and the community safe. All employees are required to undergo a health screening before they arrive at work. All participants will be required to undergo a pre-arrival self-health screening prior to the start of each lesson (a parent or guardian will be required to complete the screening for each child taking a lesson).

The pre-arrival self-health screening is a very simple to use web form that you can access on your smartphone or computer. You will be emailed the form prior your lesson start time and must complete the form the day of the lesson, prior to arriving to the mountain. Below are the screening questions included in the form, so you know what to expect.

  1. Does the lesson participant have a fever [greater than or equal to 100.4 F/ 38 C]?
  2. Does the lesson participant have any signs of the following symptoms (not due to a known health condition)?
    1. Sore throat?
    2. Feeling feverish, including having chills? New or worsening cough?
    3. New loss of taste or smell?
    4. Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing worse than normal for you at altitude?
    5. Muscle or body aches that are not normal for you with exercise or altitude?
    6. New fatigue that is not normal for you with exercise or altitude?
    7. Diarrhea or vomiting?
    8. Runny nose or congestion that is not normal for you?
    9. New or severe headache?
  3. Has the lesson participant tested positive or were they diagnosed with COVID19 within the last 10 days?
  4. Within the past 14 days, has the lesson participant had close contact with anyone that has COVID-19? Close contact is being 6 ft (2m) or closer for more than 15 minutes with a person, caring for them or having direct contact with them or their body fluids (for example kissing, being coughed or sneezed on or sharing a drink or eating utensils)?
  5. Has the lesson participant travelled internationally or domestically in the last 14 days and public health requires quarantine following travel?
  6. We look forward to having you as our guest and providing you and your family with an Experience of a Lifetime!

Where To Go

Big Boulder

Where Should I Go?

Our access road, Big Boulder Drive, terminates in our parking area. There is no charge for parking at Big Boulder. If you are an Epic Pass holder with a confirmed reservation for the date’s skiing or riding, you may gear up in your vehicle and proceed directly to the lifts. If you are a day-use skier or rider with a confirmed reservation, please visit one of the outside ticket windows located in the Snow Sports Learning Center building (last building on the right as you face the slopes). If needed, please purchase your equipment rentals, including helmets if needed, at these windows too. To pick up your equipment, proceed to our Rental Shop located in the tunnel beneath the Main Lodge. Please note that due to our Covid-19 safety policies, we cannot allow personal items to be stored in the lodge, including coolers.

Prepare for your lesson:
Please be prepared to be at the lesson meeting spot (green flag for skiers and orange flag for snowboarders near the bottom of Lower Sitzmark slope for group lessons; and the red flag at the bottom of Little Boulder slope for private lessons) at least ten minutes in advance of your scheduled time. If you are renting equipment from Big Boulder, give yourself plenty of time so you don’t feel rushed; we suggest arriving at least an hour prior to your lesson time.

Restrooms are located in the Main Lodge next to the cafeteria. Last minute needs such as gloves, hats, and handwarmers can be purchased in our retail shop, The Basement, located in the tunnel beneath the Main Lodge. As mentioned above, our Rental Shop is also located in the tunnel beneath the Main Lodge for your equipment needs including repairs.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)

What Ski School programs will be available this winter?

Group and private lessons will be offered this season. All ski and ride classes for 7 to 12 year olds will have a maximum class size of six. 5-and 6-year olds will be able to take private lessons based on availability. We are not able to offer lessons to children under the age of 5 this season.

What are your enhanced safety protocols? How will you maintain physical distancing?

Class size will be limited to six or fewer people for all of group and private lessons. All participants will be required to complete a pre-arrival self-health screening on the day of their lesson. Child classes will be considered cohorts. They will ride lifts together during the day with their instructor. For all lessons, participants will meet on snow, not indoors. Face coverings will be required.

Will health screenings be in effect, for both the guest and the instructor, prior to a lesson?

All our employees will be required to undergo health screenings before they arrive at work, as well as complete an official health screening at the resort. Ski & Ride School participants will be required to complete a pre-arrival self-health screening within 24 hours of each lesson, prior to arrival on the mountain.

Are face coverings required?

Yes. Face coverings will be required in every part of the experience; specifically while loading and riding on chairlifts and in gondolas, inside all buildings, and during all ski and snowboard lessons. No one will be permitted on the mountain without a face covering.

  • Do I have to wear a face covering while I’m skiing and snowboarding? Face coverings are not required during the physical acts of skiing and snowboarding if the guest is maintaining proper physical distance. Face coverings are required in every part of the experience, including while loading and riding on chairlifts and in gondolas, inside all buildings, and during all ski and snowboard lessons.
  • Are you allowing neck gaiters/buffs? The type of face covering a guest may wear includes a cloth neck gaiter or other type of material that completely covers a person’s mouth and nose.
  • Are there any exemptions allowed? What if I can’t/won’t wear a face covering, such as if I’m ADA exempt? Face coverings are required in every part of our operation without exception. If a guest is unable or unwilling to wear a face covering, the guest will not be allowed access in order to limit the risk of COVID-19 exposure to other guests and employees.
  • What about my child age 2 and under – do they need a mask? In line with local and CDC guidelines, we are asking that children aged 3 and older wear face coverings.

Do participants in Ski School need to separately make a reservation to access the mountain?

All guests must have a lift ticket or pass to ski & ride. If you are not a pass holder, you must add a lift ticket to your lesson at checkout. If you are a pass holder, your mountain access reservation is confirmed when you book your lesson. 

Will you still be able to sign up for lessons day-of, on-site?

Lessons will need to be purchased in advance – no walk-up, day-of lessons will be available.

Will childcare be available?

We will not be offering childcare for guests at our resorts this winter season.

Do I have to wear a face covering while I’m skiing and snowboarding? 

While face coverings are not required during the physical acts of skiing and snowboarding if the guest is maintaining proper physical distance. 

Are you allowing neck gaiters/buffs?

Face covering should follow CDC guidelines, with two or more layers of fabric that completely cover your nose and mouth and they should not have vents, valves or holes.  

What about my child age 2 and under – do they need a mask?

In line with local and CDC guidelines, we are asking that children aged 3 and older wear face coverings. 

What are you doing to ensure physical distancing is possible?

We will work to allow for physical distancing throughout our operations to help ensure a safe experience. First and foremost we will manage the number of people on our mountains through a reservation system. Additionally, we have adapted our approach to loading lifts and gondolas and are manage the number of people coming in and out of our facilities. 

What happens if there is a case of COVID-19 confirmed at your resort?

We will continue to work with local health officials to minimize the impact and spread of COVID-19 in our resort communities, prioritizing the health and safety of our employees and guests. If there is a case at our resort, or among an employee, we will follow all guidance provided by local health officials. If a guest or employee feels sick, we ask that they remain home.