There's Always Room to Improve Your Skills
Sep 25, 2006
Utah's Resorts Offer Instruction for All Abilities, Tastes and Snowsliding Pursuits
SALT LAKE CITY-Most Utah locals would agree: the secret to getting the most out of skiing or riding the Greatest Snow on Earth® is to learn from an expert. With only a week or weekend to spend in Utah's mountain paradise, taking a lesson can make the difference between ripping it up from the first day and being torn up by day two.
Every one of Utah's 13 mountain resorts offer varying levels of instruction, from specialized clinics hosted by well-known pros and group lessons for never-evers to children's camps and instruction for physically-challenged skiers and riders. The following is just a sampling of some of the more unique instructional programs offered.
Alta Ski Area: Powder hounds from around the world satiate their hunger for the steep and deep without going too far out on a limb in Alta's Powder Tracks All-Inclusive Ski Clinics, Jan. 6 - 11, 2007. Based at the historic and venerable Alta Lodge, this instructional package includes five nights lodging, five full breakfasts and gourmet dinners, two lunches, lift tickets and high-end demo skis and boots for $2,357 per person, double occupancy. (801) 742-3500, www.alta.com
Beaver Mountain: The Wee Ski Program is featured on Mondays at Beaver Mountain. Children between the ages of 3 and 5 and a parent are introduced to the fun of skiing and playing in the snow. Cost is just $20 and includes a Little Beaver Lift ticket for both parent and child. (801) 753-0921, www.skithebeav.com
Brian Head Resort: The Family Travel Forum named Brian Head a Top 10 family getaway due in large part to the resort's renowned Kids Camp tailored for kids as young as age 3. Rates start at $95 for a full day which includes caring instruction, lunch, rental equipment, all-day supervision and lift ticket. Brian Head also offers Kids Camp Mini Pass, good for 10 days of Kids Camp anytime throughout the season for just $830. (435) 677-2047, www.brianhead.com
Brighton: For snowboarders, Brighton's Burton Method Center Learn-To-Ride program guarantees participants are linking turns by their first day on snow. Brighton's Learn to Ride package includes a Learner pass, specially-designed beginner Burton snowboard and boots and morning and afternoon lessons for $85. 801-532-4731 ext. 234, www.brightonresort.com
The Canyons Resort: Learn how to jib, grind and boost with an expert instructor at The Canyons' terrain park clinics, offered from 1 - 4 p.m. daily. Although no prior terrain park experience is required, skiers and snowboarders must be expert level, ages 9 and up and wear a helmet to participate. Cost is $85. (435) 615-3449, www.thecanyons.com
Deer Valley Resort: Winter Olympians Steve and Phil Mahre offer three- and five-day clinics throughout the season for skiers of every ability level, age 12 and up, through their Mahre Training Center Ski Camps. Three-day camps are scheduled for Dec. 8 - 10, 2006; Jan. 5 - 7, 2007; and February 2 - 4, 2007. Five-day camps will be held this season from Dec. 11 - 15, 2006 and Jan. 8 - 12, 2007. Cost for each clinic is $620 (including lift tickets) for the three-day camp and $945 (including lift tickets) for the five-day camp. 800-424-3337, www.deervalley.com
Park City Mountain Resort: Learn from a pro how to help your kids love skiing with the Mom, Dad and the Kids semi-private lesson. This two-hour lesson works toward improving the child's skiing ability while giving parents guidance for a successful remainder of the day. 800-222-7275, www.parkcitymountain.com
Powder Mountain: Work on technique in a non-threatening, fun environment with Powder Mountain's SheSkis women-only ski and snowboard clinics. In addition to personalized instruction, this three consecutive Tuesdays or Saturdays camps include meals and a wine and cheese party on the last day. (801) 745-3772 ext. 127, www.powdermountain.com
Snowbasin: The early bird catches the worm with Snowbasin's First Tracks Clinics. After boarding the gondola at 7:45 a.m., enjoy a hearty breakfast at the top of the mountain at the Needles Lodge. Then hit the slopes, bagging 9,000 feet of skiing or snowboarding before 9 a.m. (801) 620-1016, www.snowbasin.com
Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort: Zen meets the mountains during Snowbird's Wild Mountain Yoga Ski Camps, a four-day retreat focusing on techniques to improve balance and strength both on the slopes and on the yoga mat, Feb. 25 - March 1, 2007. This clinic includes a welcome reception, pre- and post-skiing yoga practice, four days of on-hill coaching, four breakfasts, four lunches, Cliff Spa access and closing celebration dinner. Cost is $740 for the camp alone or, when combined with four nights at the Cliff Lodge, $1465 plus room tax. (Price based on double occupancy.) 800-232-9542, www.snowbird.com
Solitude Mountain Resort: For those ready to venture beyond the lift line, Solitude features guided excursions into the Wasatch backcountry for advanced skiers or snowboarders. Tours cost $150 per person and include lift ticket, use of an avalanche transceiver, backpack, free heel adapters (or snowshoes), climbing skins, snacks and lunch from Solitude's renowned Creekside Restaurant. (801) 536-5730, www.skisolitude.com
Sundance: The four-week Ladies Ski Clinics at Sundance feature a fun, friendly group learning atmosphere. For mothers, Sundance also offers learn to ski or ride programs for children on the same days and times as the Ladies Ski Clinics. (801) 223-4140, www.sundanceresort.com
Wolf Mountain: Kids take priority at Wolf Mountain, which features a plethora of ski and snowboard instruction for all ages and ability levels including private and group lessons, the Wednesday After School Program, Cub Camp (ages 5 and under) and Wolf Pack (ages 5 - 8). (801) 866-0234, www.wolfmountainden.com
SALT LAKE CITY-Most Utah locals would agree: the secret to getting the most out of skiing or riding the Greatest Snow on Earth® is to learn from an expert. With only a week or weekend to spend in Utah's mountain paradise, taking a lesson can make the difference between ripping it up from the first day and being torn up by day two.
Every one of Utah's 13 mountain resorts offer varying levels of instruction, from specialized clinics hosted by well-known pros and group lessons for never-evers to children's camps and instruction for physically-challenged skiers and riders. The following is just a sampling of some of the more unique instructional programs offered.
Alta Ski Area: Powder hounds from around the world satiate their hunger for the steep and deep without going too far out on a limb in Alta's Powder Tracks All-Inclusive Ski Clinics, Jan. 6 - 11, 2007. Based at the historic and venerable Alta Lodge, this instructional package includes five nights lodging, five full breakfasts and gourmet dinners, two lunches, lift tickets and high-end demo skis and boots for $2,357 per person, double occupancy. (801) 742-3500, www.alta.com
Beaver Mountain: The Wee Ski Program is featured on Mondays at Beaver Mountain. Children between the ages of 3 and 5 and a parent are introduced to the fun of skiing and playing in the snow. Cost is just $20 and includes a Little Beaver Lift ticket for both parent and child. (801) 753-0921, www.skithebeav.com
Brian Head Resort: The Family Travel Forum named Brian Head a Top 10 family getaway due in large part to the resort's renowned Kids Camp tailored for kids as young as age 3. Rates start at $95 for a full day which includes caring instruction, lunch, rental equipment, all-day supervision and lift ticket. Brian Head also offers Kids Camp Mini Pass, good for 10 days of Kids Camp anytime throughout the season for just $830. (435) 677-2047, www.brianhead.com
Brighton: For snowboarders, Brighton's Burton Method Center Learn-To-Ride program guarantees participants are linking turns by their first day on snow. Brighton's Learn to Ride package includes a Learner pass, specially-designed beginner Burton snowboard and boots and morning and afternoon lessons for $85. 801-532-4731 ext. 234, www.brightonresort.com
The Canyons Resort: Learn how to jib, grind and boost with an expert instructor at The Canyons' terrain park clinics, offered from 1 - 4 p.m. daily. Although no prior terrain park experience is required, skiers and snowboarders must be expert level, ages 9 and up and wear a helmet to participate. Cost is $85. (435) 615-3449, www.thecanyons.com
Deer Valley Resort: Winter Olympians Steve and Phil Mahre offer three- and five-day clinics throughout the season for skiers of every ability level, age 12 and up, through their Mahre Training Center Ski Camps. Three-day camps are scheduled for Dec. 8 - 10, 2006; Jan. 5 - 7, 2007; and February 2 - 4, 2007. Five-day camps will be held this season from Dec. 11 - 15, 2006 and Jan. 8 - 12, 2007. Cost for each clinic is $620 (including lift tickets) for the three-day camp and $945 (including lift tickets) for the five-day camp. 800-424-3337, www.deervalley.com
Park City Mountain Resort: Learn from a pro how to help your kids love skiing with the Mom, Dad and the Kids semi-private lesson. This two-hour lesson works toward improving the child's skiing ability while giving parents guidance for a successful remainder of the day. 800-222-7275, www.parkcitymountain.com
Powder Mountain: Work on technique in a non-threatening, fun environment with Powder Mountain's SheSkis women-only ski and snowboard clinics. In addition to personalized instruction, this three consecutive Tuesdays or Saturdays camps include meals and a wine and cheese party on the last day. (801) 745-3772 ext. 127, www.powdermountain.com
Snowbasin: The early bird catches the worm with Snowbasin's First Tracks Clinics. After boarding the gondola at 7:45 a.m., enjoy a hearty breakfast at the top of the mountain at the Needles Lodge. Then hit the slopes, bagging 9,000 feet of skiing or snowboarding before 9 a.m. (801) 620-1016, www.snowbasin.com
Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort: Zen meets the mountains during Snowbird's Wild Mountain Yoga Ski Camps, a four-day retreat focusing on techniques to improve balance and strength both on the slopes and on the yoga mat, Feb. 25 - March 1, 2007. This clinic includes a welcome reception, pre- and post-skiing yoga practice, four days of on-hill coaching, four breakfasts, four lunches, Cliff Spa access and closing celebration dinner. Cost is $740 for the camp alone or, when combined with four nights at the Cliff Lodge, $1465 plus room tax. (Price based on double occupancy.) 800-232-9542, www.snowbird.com
Solitude Mountain Resort: For those ready to venture beyond the lift line, Solitude features guided excursions into the Wasatch backcountry for advanced skiers or snowboarders. Tours cost $150 per person and include lift ticket, use of an avalanche transceiver, backpack, free heel adapters (or snowshoes), climbing skins, snacks and lunch from Solitude's renowned Creekside Restaurant. (801) 536-5730, www.skisolitude.com
Sundance: The four-week Ladies Ski Clinics at Sundance feature a fun, friendly group learning atmosphere. For mothers, Sundance also offers learn to ski or ride programs for children on the same days and times as the Ladies Ski Clinics. (801) 223-4140, www.sundanceresort.com
Wolf Mountain: Kids take priority at Wolf Mountain, which features a plethora of ski and snowboard instruction for all ages and ability levels including private and group lessons, the Wednesday After School Program, Cub Camp (ages 5 and under) and Wolf Pack (ages 5 - 8). (801) 866-0234, www.wolfmountainden.com
