Kirkwood Ski & Snowboard School FAQ's


Beginner Programs
Kirkwood also offers beginner programs for adults as well as kids.

Beginner Ski and Beginner Snowboard

The goal is to have you riding a lift confidently and able to ski/ride down our easiest trails after your first lesson.
Visit our Kirkwood Adult ski & snowboard school for details on this season's program.

Make your reservation now!

    Reserving Lessons

    Yes, you can make reservations up to 24 hours prior to your arrival. Just choose a link below or call their corresponding phone number.

    We strongly recommend making a reservation for your children, kids or teens. It will expedite the check-in process.

    Call us for answers to any more ski school essential questions you may have.

    We strongly recommend making a reservation for your children, kids or teens. It will expedite the check-in process.

    Call us for answers to any more ski school essential questions you may have.



    Group Lesson Reservations

    Yes, you can now reserve in advance for adult group lessons although we do have a limited offering online. Visit our website or call the following for the respective resort. With advance reservations we will have all the information and lesson tickets ready to printout for you when you arrive at our sales office.

    Multi-Day Lesson Packages

    Most of our resorts offer great discounts for multi-day lessons for children and adults.

    Kirkwood Ski School offers two different multi-day options for children. There is a 2 day consecutive and a 3 day consecutive lesson option. These are available all season long for Children aged 5-12. We also offer a 2 day consecutive lesson option for our 3-4 year old skiers/riders. We do not offer any adult multi day lesson options at this time.


    Check out our Multi-Day packages


    Half Days

    For 3-4year olds- Available from 10:15am to 12 noon // 5-12 year olds - available from 1030-1245 & 130-345. (You can also take the full-day lesson and just leave when you need to.)

    For 13 and up- Available from 1030am to 100pm & 130pm-4pm. 

    To Reserve A Half Day Lesson:

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    The Ski & Ride School at Kirkwood is specifically developed to create the best learning experience possible. Although Kirkwood is known for having some of the best advanced and expert terrain in the region, what many don’t know is that our beginner and intermediate terrain is some of the best in the country. A great mountain like Kirkwood breeds great instructors as well. Not only do they ski and ride here but many of them return year after year and provide specific information and instruction directly related to your experience level.                                                                                                                                                                                                              Combining phenomenal terrain for all abilities with passionate and well trained instructors makes for a fabulous learning experience focusing on safety, fun, learning and creating an “Experience of a Lifetime” for guests of all ages and abilities.
    General Ski School Information

    Locations: Base area location at Timber Creek
    Reservations: Make your ski/snowboard school reservations before your vacation.
    Rentals: High-performance skis and boards are available at retail in main mountain village.
    Other: Group lesson/lift packages are now available for select ski and snowboard school programs that will save guests money over purchasing elements separately.
    Ages: All adult group lessons are for guests ages 13 and older.
    More Information: Call (209) 258-7754
    Learn From a Kirkwood Instructor




    Change of Plans?

    To change your reservations please call:


    Program Length

    Adult Programs: Lessons 2.5 hours, AM lessons meet at 10:30 and end at 1:00pm // PM lessons meet at 1:30 and end at 4:00pm.
    Children Programs
    Age 3-4 programs: Children need to be dressed, ticketed, ready to ski, and checked in no later than 10:15am
    Parent conferences and child pick up is at 12:30 for half day and 3:30 for full day. Children may check in earlier and wait in the centers until their lessons start under supervised care
    Age 5-12 programs: Children need to be dressed, ticketed, ready to ski, and checked in no later than 10:30am
    Please allow a minimum of 30 minutes to 2 hours prior to lesson start time to pick up tickets and get fitted for rental equipment. If possible, please come in the afternoon before the lesson start date to pick up tickets and get fitted for rental equipment.


    Check out our Lesson/Ski School Programs:


    Like lift tickets, equipment rental can be included in the price of Adult Lessons Packages. Make sure you choose to include it when making your reservation online.

    Check out our Lesson/Ski School Programs

    Ski School Ages

    Child Lessons - We start with willing, potty-trained 3 year olds. Please prepare your child for separation from mom and dad for the day.

    Adult Lessons are for ages 13 and up. If you wish to have your family learn together, you will need to book a private lesson. Private Lessons can be reserved by calling the corresponding number below.
    The Snow is Falling!
    Children: If it snows during lessons, the kids will ski or snowboard and will come inside for frequent breaks during extremely low temperatures. Be sure to have them

    Adults: We LOVE snow! We send class out regardless of the weather. The class will take breaks, but dress properly and you will enjoy every minute of it.

    To Reserve Lessons

    Adult and Child group lessons meet at the base of chair 9 at Timber Creek.                                                                                                       

    Adult and Child private lessons meet at the private lesson sign between chair lift 9 and 7 at Timber Creek.
    For the age 5-12 programs and Kirkwood's adult age programs(13 and up), guest meet their instructor at 10:15am. They leave the base area at 10:30 am. Child class will stop for lunch and take bathroom and drink breaks when needed. Otherwise they will ski/snowboard until 3:45pm. Adults will leave the base area and ski/snowboard until 1:00pm
    For 3-year-old beginner programs, the children need to be checked in by 10:15am in our Mini Ripper/Mini Grom room. They will do an indoor ski lesson and then go outside on the hill for an hour in the morning. They will come in around noon for lunch. After lunch the children will go back outside to ski for another hour. They then come inside for quiet rest time until parent pick up at 3:30pm.



    Check out our Lesson/Ski School Programs

    The ticket can be used on another day or refunded if the child is sick first thing in the morning and is picked up immediately after the parents have been contacted. If the child is sick and remains in the program for the entire day and the parents do not pick the child up after receiving a call, the ticket will not be refunded.

    Check out our Lesson/Ski School Programs

    Children's Ski or Snowboard Group Lessons

    We start with willing, potty-trained 3 year olds.
    Please help prepare your child for separation from mom and dad for the day.

    Check out our Lesson/Ski School Programs

     

    You should select the level that you are currently skiing/riding at, not what you want to become. If you are unclear or uncertain of your level, please read below to see our description of zones of learning. All you need to select is beginner, intermediate or advanced. Upon arrival, we will combine you with other guests of the same skill level with your zone.

    Get in the ZONE

    We split the lessons into what 'zone' you ski in; beginner, intermediate, and advanced. For instance within the beginner zone, there are skiers/boarders that are first-timers, up to those just starting on intermediate runs. Within that zone, you will be matched up with other students that are at your level. So all you really need to let us know is if you ski on beginner, intermediate, or advanced runs, that's the level of lesson to take.

    To Reserve Lessons:

    Where to go:

    All 5-12 year old and 13 and up group lessons meet on the snow at timber creek near the base of chair 9.

    When to check in:

    10:30 AM lessons

    Check in time is from 10:15 AM until 10:30 AM on the snow. You can pick up your reservation



    How early do I have to wake up?

    Lessons start at 10:30 AM
    Arrive 1 hour prior to the scheduled start time of your lesson
    Allow extra time if you need rental equipment that morning
    Please remember to have all rental equipment with you when you arrive at the lesson meeting spot
    Remember To Bring:

    Dress in layers. This allows you to adjust to changing temperatures
    Eye Protection; sunglasses or goggles
    Good Gloves - Your gardening gloves won't make the cut
    Good Socks - A well-fitted pair of wool or synthetic wool socks, not too thick. Cotton socks aren't recommended.
    Waterproof jackets and pants will keep you warmer and more comfortable
    Water - it's important to stay hydrated at dry altitude
    A Snack - something small that will fit in a pocket to keep up energy
    Credit Card or cash for payment and any food you may want to buy on the mountain
    Sunblock - the suns rays and its reflection off the snow are powerful at this altitude
    And of course: Skis, snowboard, boots, poles (you'd be surprised how many people forget)

    To Reserve Lessons:

    Adaptive Programs

    Please contact the Ski and Ride School about options for Adaptive Lessons.

    Choose one of our Resorts below for more information on specific programs:

     

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