For current information on our Snow Sport University programs please go to our lesson home page.
SSU programs are available December 8, 2023 - March 31, 2024
NOW is the time to turn your ski & snowboard dreams into reality.
Every passionate skier and snowboarder dreams of breaking through new barriers, getting to the next level, and conquering new terrain ... That’s Snow Sport University’s reason for being. Our success is measured by your accomplishments.
Whether you're new to the sport and are looking to build confidence, or you're an intermediate looking to explore more challenging terrain, our highly qualified instructors can help you develop the skills and state of mind to meet those goals. For advanced skiers and riders, our instructors are your skilled guides, helping you experience the thrill and challenge of new and hidden terrain — opening a world of on and off-trail adventures you might never discover on your own.
Adults - Ski & Snowboard Lessons for ages 18 & older!
Whatever your goals, our highly qualified SSU instructors can help you build the skills and state of mind you need to start exploring more of the mountain.
Are you a first-time skier or snowboarder — or looking for the coaching that will move you to the next level? Group lessons are designed to help each individual, novice to expert! Guaranteed to get results.
2022-2023 Non-holiday rate: 10:00 am lessons $129 per person, per lesson. 1:00 pm lessons $99 per person, per lesson.
2022-2023 Holiday* rate: 10:00 am lessons $179 per person, per lesson. 1:00 pm lessons $119 per person, per lesson.
Levels: First Time, Beginner, Intermediate (Morse Mountain) to Advanced, Expert (Sterling/Madonna Mountains).
A lift ticket is required for all Snow Sport University programs. Discounts are available when families purchase our Mountain Experience Package.
*Holiday dates: December 24, 2022-January 1, 2023, January 14-16, 2023 & February 18-26, 2023
Expert's tip: Sideslipping
Sideslipping is a key tactical tool for any skier who wants to be more versatile. The key to effective sideslipping is to maintain good fore/aft balance. Start off on a hill with some pitch to it, and just tip your legs down the hill, releasing the edges and sliding. Tip the legs uphill to set the edge, with a focus on staying balanced over the whole foot. After playing in both directions, do the same thing, but shift your weight from the tip of the ski to the tail and vice versa, and notice the effect the movement has on the skis. You should feel like you are fluttering down the hill like a falling leaf. Mastering sideslipping will let you get down any kind of terrain in almost any conditions.
-Oliver Blackman, PSIA level 1 certified instructor
Adult Private Lessons
Private coaching is the best way to tailor lessons to meet your needs. Try one and get exactly what you're looking for!
Private Lesson Options
Expert's tip: The right and left of it
Intermediate skiers often ask why they find it easy to turn one way but not the other. Once we rule out any physiological reasons, the answer is almost always in the previous turn or turns. Too much rotary in a previous turn causes the next turn to be difficult. Try focusing on a spot down the hill and keep that spot as your reference while making a series of medium radius turns. When your head and shoulders stay more aligned in the direction you are going; your turns will get better in both directions.
Doug Cook, PSIA Level 3 certified instructor
Women's Weekly Clinics
Our women's programs are led by expert female coaches focused on offering fun and confidence boosting sessions with plenty of skiing and riding tips, tricks and terrain tactics that address the differences of how women move on snow.
Women's Weekly Info
Night School for Skiing, Snowboarding & Jibbing
Are you ready for your first ski or snowboard experience? Are you already a skier or rider and want to try your first freestyle moves? Then try one of our Night School programs.
Night School is a great way for families and everyone else to go skiing or snowboarding for the first time. Night School for Jibbing is our program designed to utilize mini, entry-level terrain park features to introduce intermediate level skiers & riders to the world of freestyle. With one-hour group sessions and another 1 1/2 hours of practice time (with coaches on the hill to help you out), new skiers, riders, and jibbers can experience the excitement of snowboarding.
Available Tuesday, Wednesday & Saturday, 4:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Ages 7 - adult.
2022-2023 Rate: $75 per person, per session, includes Burton Learn to Ride equipment rental. Must sign up prior to 3:30 pm at the Guest Service Desk or the Ski & Ride Desk. Space available basis. Get outfitted for your equipment between 2:30 pm and 3:30 pm at 3 Mountain Equipment. Meet at Sir Henry's Learning & Fun Park after you've gotten your equipment.
Smugglers' uses hands-free RFID technology at all of our mountain lifts. A personalized Notch Card is required and available to purchase for $5 plus tax. Once purchased this reusable all-season card will have the option to reload online for various products and at our point of sale locations. For more information, visit smuggs.com/notchcard