Prepare For Your Lesson
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 rent gear if needed. |
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Our Commitment To Safety
Click here for the most up to date information on our safety protocols including vaccination and mask requirements for indoor dining. |
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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 Coverings: Face coverings will be required during the indoor portion of the ski and ride school experience this season, including during drop-off and pick-up, and accessing indoor facilities such as restrooms and restaurants (while not eating or drinking). Click here for more information on our safety protocols including mask requirements in outdoor spaces.
- Proof of Vaccination: Children ages 12 and older who are part of a full-day ski and ride school program will be required to show proof of vaccination as lessons include lunch at indoor, on-mountain quick-service restaurants. This proof of vaccination will be required at the time of drop-off at the ski and ride school program. Adults participating in ski and ride school programs or private lessons may choose to opt-out of dining at indoor, on-mountain quick-service restaurants. Acceptable forms of proof include:
- A physical vaccination card
- A photo of a vaccination card on their phone
- An official vaccination mobile app, including all official U.S. state, European Union and foreign country mobile apps, digital passports and digital certificates; and the following third-party vaccination mobile apps: Clear Health Pass, IATA Travel Pass App, Verifly, VaxYes by Gogetdoc, and CommonPass
- 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 moisture wicking base layers, mid layers to trap body heat, and 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 Kirkwood and let our experts fit you with the best boots, skis or snowboard for your best day on the mountain.
Self-Health Screening
The pre-arrival Self-Health Screening is a very simple to use web form that you can access on your smartphone or computer. All participants will need to complete this Self-Health Screening on the morning of each lesson. Below are the screening questions included in the form, so you know what to expect.
- Are you currently under direction from public health or a medical professional to quarantine or isolate because of concerns of COVID-19?
- Have you tested positive or were you diagnosed as presumed positive for COVID-19 within the past 10 days?
- Do you have the following symptoms (not due to a known health condition):
- feeling feverish, including having chills?
- a new or worsening cough?
- shortness of breath or difficulty breathing worse than normal for you at altitude?
- new loss of taste or smell?
- sore throat?
- muscle or body aches that are not normal for you with exercise or altitude?
- vomiting or diarrhea?
- runny nose or congestion that is not normal for you?
- new or severe headache?
- new fatigue that is not normal for you with exercise or altitude?
Where to Go
- If you are renting equipment and need to pick it up on the morning of your lesson, please arrive one to two hours before the start of your lesson. Please check-in at least 30 minutes before the start of your lesson if you do not need to pick up your equipment rentals. If you arrive late and cannot complete check-in including being fitted for your equipment prior to the check-in end time, we may not be able to accommodate you in a lesson for that day.
- The location of your lesson is selected at the time of booking and the check-in location will be listed on your confirmation email once a lesson is purchased.
- Where to check-in
- Adult Group Lessons - Timber Creek Base Area
- For 10:30AM Half Day Group Lessons: Check in at the Ski and Ride School desk at the top of the stairs from 8:30AM – 10:00AM.
- For 1:30PM Half Day Group Lessons: Check in any time before 1:00PM inside our Adult Ski School Office.
- Child Group Lessons - Timber Creek Base Area
- For 3-4 year old “Mini Ripper” Lessons: Check in at the Ski and Ride School desk at the top of the Stairs from 8:30AM – 10:00AM.
- For 5-14 Year Old Kid’s 10:30AM Half Day and Full Day Lessons: Check in at the Ski and Ride School desk at the top of the stairs from 8:30AM – 10:00AM.
- For 5-14 Year Old Kid’s 1:30PM Half Day Group Lessons: Check in any time before 1:00PM inside our Adult Ski School Office.
- Private Lessons - Your meeting place will be confirmed when you book through your confirmation email.
- If you are meeting at “Expedition Kirkwood”: Check in at the Village “Snowgun” between Chair 5 and 10 from 9:15AM to 9:30AM for morning and full day lessons and 12:45PM to 1:00PM for afternoon lessons.
- If you are meeting at “Timber Creek”: Check in at Private Lesson Meeting Flags between chairs 7 and 9 from 9:15AM to 9:30AM for morning and full day lessons and 12:45PM to 1:00PM for afternoon lessons.
- 1 hour “Early Bird” lessons: Meet at 9:00AM at Timber Creek at the Private Lesson Flags between chair 7 and Chair 9.
- Progressions Session and AllStar Clinics - Check in at the Village “Snowgun” between Chair 5 and 10 at 10:15AM.
- Adult Group Lessons - Timber Creek Base Area
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?
Face coverings will only be required during the indoor portion of the ski and ride school experience this season, including during drop-off and pick-up, and accessing indoor facilities such as restrooms and restaurants (while not eating or drinking), and on gondolas. Face coverings will not be required during the outdoor portion of the ski and ride school experience.
Do I need a proof of vaccination to go to ski and ride school or take private lessons?
Children ages 12 and older who are part of a full-day ski and ride school program will be required to show proof of vaccination as lessons include lunches at indoor, on-mountain quick-service restaurants. This proof of vaccination will be required at the time of drop-off at the ski and ride school program. Adults participating in ski and ride school programs or private lessons may choose to opt-out of dining at indoor, on-mountain quick-service restaurants.
Will there be an option to pick up my child (12 and over) for lunch if they cannot show proof of vaccination?
We will be requiring proof of vaccination for all children ages 12 and over in full-day ski and ride school programs that contain a lunch offering. We will not be providing an outdoor or lunch-pickup option for these individuals. At many of our resorts, half-day lesson options that exclude lunch will also be available.
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.
As a reminder, for guests 12 years and older, proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required to participate in full day Ski & Snowboard programming. If you or your child cannot meet this requirement, cancellations must be made 24 hours in advanced of your lesson.
For more information on refunds and cancellations, please refer to the Ski & Ride School Terms of Sale.
Will there be restrictions on Ski & Ride School lift access when lift tickets are unavailable?
No, the ability to purchase Ski & Ride School and include a lift ticket will not be limited during popular holiday periods.
Do I need a vaccine to ski and ride this season?
No. If you wish to access our resorts to ski and ride this season, a vaccination will not be required. Vaccines will also not be required in outdoor spaces such lift lines, chairlifts, gondolas, outdoor restaurants and restaurant patios, or in indoor spaces such as restrooms, lodging properties, full-service restaurants, and retail and rental locations. However, if you wish to access our indoor, on-mountain quick-service restaurants, proof of COVID-19 vaccination will be required for those 12 and older.
Why is Vail Resorts requiring proof of vaccination to enter or dine at indoor, on-mountain quick-service restaurants this season?
As a company, the health and safety of our guests and employees is our top priority. We are fortunate that the core of our business takes place outdoors in beautiful, vast mountain settings. However, as we welcome guests from around the world to the indoor experience at our resorts, we feel it’s important to do our part to combat the spread of COVID-19 and to keep our guests, employees and communities safe. Consistent with the approaches taken by many other large-scale indoor events and venues, we believe this requirement is necessary given the number of guests using these facilities and the fact that guests will not be wearing face coverings while eating and drinking.
What qualifies as proof of vaccination for guests looking to dine at indoor, on-mountain, quick-service restaurants this season?
Guests age 12 and over will need to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination by showing one of the following:
- A physical vaccination card
- A photo of a vaccination card on their phone
- An official vaccination mobile app, including all official U.S. state, European Union and foreign country mobile apps, digital passports and digital certificates; and the following third-party vaccination mobile apps: Clear Health Pass, IATA Travel Pass App, Verifly, VaxYes by Gogetdoc, and CommonPass
Adults 18 and over will also need to provide an official photo ID. Government issued IDs with a photo and name matching the guest’s vaccination card will be accepted, as well as Epic Passes with photos.
After the first validation of COVID-19 vaccination, guests may opt for a small, non-transferable sticker to be applied to the front of their pass. Guests with this sticker can re-enter indoor, cafeteria-style restaurants at any Vail Resorts property for the remainder of the season without re-validating their proof of vaccination at the door. Guests may also opt not to receive a sticker and instead to re-validate their proof of vaccination each time they enter indoor, cafeteria-style restaurants. Regardless, Vail Resorts will not be recording any guest vaccination status information.
Which vaccinations will be accepted?
For guests looking to dine at indoor, cafeteria-style restaurants this season, the following vaccinations recognized by the World Health Organization will be accepted: Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, Johnson & Johnson/Janssen, Oxford-AstraZeneca, Covishield, Sinopharm and Sinovac.
Which indoor, on-mountain, quick service restaurants will require proof of vaccination?
Please visit the Resort Dining Page, where the list of cafeteria-style restaurants requiring proof of vaccination will be posted once the resort opens for the season.
When will the proof of vaccination requirement go into effect for indoor, on-mountain quick-service restaurants?
This protocol will be in effect as each mountain opens for the 2021-22 season.
How often will you check my proof of vaccination?
After the first validation of COVID-19 vaccination, guests may opt for a small, non-transferable sticker to be applied to the front of their pass. Guests with this sticker can re-enter indoor, cafeteria-style restaurants at any Vail Resorts property for the remainder of the season without re-validating their proof of vaccination at the door. Guests may also opt not to receive a sticker and instead to re-validate their proof of vaccination each time they enter indoor, cafeteria-style restaurants. Regardless, Vail Resorts will not be recording any guest vaccination status information.
Are you storing my vaccination status anywhere?
No. Vail Resorts will not be tracking or recording any guest vaccination status information.
What if I am not vaccinated or forget my proof of vaccination?
Guests who forget their proof of COVID-19 vaccination, have not previously had their proof of COVID-19 vaccination validated with a sticker on their pass, or have not been vaccinated will not be permitted to enter our indoor, cafeteria-style restaurants. We recommend they bring their own lunch or visit an outdoor on-mountain restaurant or other dining establishments where proof of vaccination is not required.
Can I provide a vaccination exception to dine indoors?
No. Guest proof of COVID-19 vaccination for those ages 12 and over will be required in indoor, on-mountain quick-service restaurants. Guest vaccination exceptions will not be accepted.
Can I provide proof of a negative COVID test to dine indoors?
No. Guest proof of COVID-19 vaccination for those ages 12 and over will be required in indoor, on-mountain quick-service restaurants. Proof of a negative COVID test will not be accepted.
Can I enter one of your indoor, on mountain quick-service restaurants to buy food and take it outside?
No. For the safety of our guests and employees, entrance to these quick-service restaurants will require proof of vaccination. Other dining venues will offer alternatives such as ‘grab & go,’ outdoor options, and full-service restaurants which do not require proof of vaccination to enter.
Will I need proof of vaccination to use to the restroom or other amenities?
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination will not be required to use restrooms or other general amenities at any facilities, but face coverings are required in all indoor locations.
Guests will not need proof of COVID-19 vaccination to access indoor spaces that don’t provide on-mountain quick-service dining. Face coverings will be required in indoor settings.
Will bars be open for the 2021-22 season? Will vaccinations be required to visit bars?
Yes, bars will be open for the 2021-22 season, and we will be following all local public health guidance around vaccination or other requirements for our bars.
Will I need a proof of vaccination for my wedding, conference or event?
No. Guest proof of COVID-19 vaccination for those ages 12 and over will only be required at indoor, on-mountain quick-service restaurants.
Will I need a proof of vaccination for hotel dining establishments?
No. Guest proof of COVID-19 vaccination for those ages 12 and over will only be required at indoor, on-mountain quick-service restaurants.
Why do you have different policies for quick-service and full-service restaurants?
Indoor, on-mountain quick-service restaurants are higher volume, higher density locations with cafeteria-style settings and multi-party seating options. We believe this vaccine requirement will reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 in these unique settings and protect our guests and their families as well employees. Full-service restaurants are more spacious with party-specific seating, providing natural physical distancing and capacity management.
At this point, we are not requiring children under the age of 12 to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination and do not intend to institute a change in this policy this season unless required to do so by local public health.
Will I need a proof of a vaccination booster at some point during the season to dine indoors on-mountain?
We are not intending to require proof of booster COVID-19 vaccines at any point in the season.
Will you change this policy if the situation with COVID-19 improves?
While it is possible we will change this policy based on an improving situation with COVID-19, we believe all guests should assume this will be our policy for the entirety of the 2021-22 season.
Yes. We believe the COVID-19 vaccine is the way to end this pandemic, and the best way to keep our employees and guests safe. In compliance with the recent rules announced under the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Vail Resorts will be requiring all employees to be vaccinated for COVID-19, effective Nov. 15, 2021.