Mountain Explorer/Burton Grom Lesson Detail

Our 5-12 year old Ski and Snowboard Lessons are located at Timber Creek. Timber Creek is the first base facility you see on the right side after entering Kirkwood. Please see information below to ease your check in process.

Drop off:
This lesson drop off time is from 10:15-10:30am for morning or full day lessons, or 1:15PM- 1:30PM for afternoon lessons. Lesson drop off is at the Base of Chair 9. Before you drop your child off you need to visit our pre-registration counter to fill out the appropriate paperwork and pick up your child’s nametags and lift tickets. Please see the map in FAQs of Timber Creek Base Area to familiarize yourself with the drop-off and pick up locations.

Rentals:
Your Mountain Explorer/Burton Grom gets their skis or snowboard, boots and helmet fitted in the Kids Ski and Ride school Sales/Rental office. If you don’t need rentals, just take your child’s gear with you to drop off. Make sure you provide Gloves, Goggles, or Sunglasses as these ARE NOT provided with the rental. They can also be purchased at Timber Creek, but you are responsible for providing these items for your child’s safety.

Pick-up:
Mountain Explorer/Burton Grom pickup is at the same location as drop off. Times are as follows: 12:45PM for a half day lesson and 3:45PM for a full day lesson.

Mini Ripper/Grom Lesson Detail

Our 3-4 year old Mini Ripper/Grom Lessons are located at the Timber Creek Base Area. Timber Creek is the first base facility you see on the right side after entering Kirkwood. Here's some information that will ease the check in process for you!

Drop off:
This lesson drop off time is from 9:30-10:00am at the Mini Ripper Entrance to the Timber Creek Children’s Center. Before you drop your child off you need to visit our pre-registration counter to fill out the appropriate paperwork and pick up your child’s nametags and lift tickets. Please see the map in FAQs of Timber Creek Base Area to familiarize yourself with the drop-off and pick up areas.

Rentals:
Your Mini gets their skis or snowboard, boots and helmet fitted in the same place they get dropped off. So there is just one step. If you don’t need rentals just take your child’s gear with you to drop off.

Pick-up:
Mini Ripper/Grom pickup is at the same location as drop off. Times are as follows: 12:30PM for a half day lesson and 3:30PM for a full day lesson.

Vail Resorts Activity Illness Guidelines

The health and safety of our guests is first priority and we take this very seriously. Strong health and safety practices are the heart of our child programs. A key to preventing illness in a group activity setting is to form trusting relationships between parents and instructors around sharing important health information about your child’s condition when they are admitted.

If your child has fever, sore throat, diarrhea, or is nauseous or vomiting, they will not be accepted for activities. If your child has recently been ill, they must be symptom-free, without the benefit of medications, for 24 hours at US properties and 48 hours at Whistler Blackcomb

Each child will be observed for common signs of illness at arrival and throughout the day. A child who is ill upon arrival to the facility will not be admitted. Parents or guardians will be notified to pick up their child immediately, if the child becomes ill during their stay.

A physician’s note stating a child is no longer contagious will be required when a child has healing lesions or other symptoms suggestive of communicable disease.

Where do I park?
The best parking lots for access to the Timber Creek for Ski School area are across the street from the base area. There is an upper, middle and lower lot that would be ideal location. We do have shuttles running throughout the resort, so if you choose to park somewhere else or have to because lots are full, our shuttles will bring you to the Timber Creek base area. Please be aware that parking is limited on Holidays and Weekends. We encourage you to carpool and show up early to secure a parking spot.

Do I have to bring my child lunch and snacks?
No. For a full day lesson snacks and lunch will be provided, and for Half day lesson snacks will be provided. If your child has any dietary restrictions or allergies that weren’t listed when booking the lesson please let us know at drop off. You may provide food for your child at drop off if you prefer.

Can I drop my child off early?
Yes. We start taking early drop offs for this age group at 9:00AM in the Mini Ripper Room. They will not ski before class begins, but we do have inside activities planned for your child until the lesson begins.

How can I monitor my child’s progress during the day?
For safety and security reasons, the fenced-in magic carpet learning area is limited to staff and active lesson participants. We recommend observing from a distance, or checking in when groups are inside for their scheduled breaks. If the child sees their parents too often, or at the wrong time, it can make it difficult for them and the other children in the group to focus on their lesson. You can also track your child’s progress on the Epic Mix app.

How do I know if my child is in the right class or level?
Your child will go through a few checkpoints from picking up lesson tickets packages, to getting equipment, and checking in on-hill for the lesson, at all these points you will be asked about your level of skiing/riding. By the time you reach the on-hill check-in, our instructors will ask questions to place them at the appropriate “Flag” (flags are based on the terrain to take warm-up laps). Within these first few laps, the instructors will further separate the children into groups that ski well together and are all reasonably and appropriately challenged.