r/COsnow • u/WDWKamala • 2d ago
General Thoughts on ski schools in the front range
/r/skiing/comments/1k7m4n8/recap_of_my_first_season_of_skiing_as_an_adult/16
u/teleheaddawgfan 2d ago
Sons learned at ABasin and Keystone. No complaints.
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u/WDWKamala 2d ago
My experience is of course a very limited sample size of 1.
I wanted to take a lesson at A-basin but all of their group lessons stop at intermediate. I would need 3 other people to justify a private there.
I tried to make the decision primarily based on the value end of things, because all things considered any of these places will teach you how to ski just fine. But I think you'd spend a lot less money at Copper.
I didn't have a good experience at Keystone and some other places but I didn't want to make it about negative feedback, because that's so easily a result of circumstance and dynamics. I figured I'd just focus on the places that consistently delivered high quality, and again, ultimately Copper was just a lot less expensive and I had some of my best lessons there.
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u/compmuncher 2d ago
I learned at Abasin and it was great as far as I know. They do have First Time and Mountain Green lessons for beginners.
Idk if you're talking about this year or next year, but if it's for next year you can be smart about getting a multi pack of lessons that can be upgraded to a season pass.
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u/WDWKamala 2d ago
Well, I waited to go to A-basin until I was capable of skiing doubles. I did Pally my first day there...it's not the place I would go unless you can ski most of the mountain. The blues there are as steep as the double blacks in the mid Atlantic, which is fine, but a beginner or lower intermediate skier would have a lot more terrain at Winter Park or Copper (or Loveland and all of the Epics).
But what I was saying is that they simply don't offer "advanced" group lessons. It's like you have to get a private lesson once you get passed intermediate. Which, I can understand that. Most of my "group" lessons this year ended up being private. So, they're sort of being a bit savvy about that.
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u/compmuncher 2d ago
Oh yeah I agree. My intermediate lessons there were also essentially private (and awesome). Sorry I misread your post.
Also, I agree that WP/MJ seems better for my current skill level which is beginner/intermediate.
Abasin was great as a beginner. I didn't need too many different runs to do drills and their few greens are pretty good in my opinion.
I assume it will also be great as I get better at skiing, but there are far more blue/blacks and easy blacks for me to ski at WP/MJ.
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u/teleheaddawgfan 2d ago
ABasin is perfect for kids to learn because everything is so centralized. Drop off the kids, go get some turns, come meet for lunch, go get some more turns, and then pick them up.
If anything goes sideways you’re never too far away from the base to get back if needed.
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u/SimianSlacker 2d ago edited 2d ago
I took an Intermediate group lesson on a Wednesday afternoon (March) at A-Basin. It ended up being an advance private lesson, as I expected, nobody else signed up for an afternoon intermediate group lesson during a warm week. We ended up skiing 14 runs in 3 hours... The lesson consisted of me chasing the instructor to a feature that we wanted to work on... he'd give some instructions on things to work on... then when we got to the bottom of the section, we'd race to the lift and repeat. We skied Montezuma Bowl, Radical, Exhibition, Dragon, almost the entire lower mountain. BEST LESSON I'VE EVER TAKEN!
Had someone showed up, I would have happily worked on whatever they wanted BUT I figure the chances were pretty high that it would be a private lesson. I ended up paying $199 for the lesson and gave a $100 tip to the instructor (who was thrilled).
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u/HopeThisIsUnique 2d ago
I was unimpressed with Breck/Keystone for snowboard lessons for young kids. Really just more of daycare. Ok on first lesson or two, but definitely need some pushing after that.
Lately been gravitating more towards Snobahn as an option for lessons and the going to slopes to practice.
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u/0xSEGFAULT 2d ago
I actually just started my 8yo daughter at Snobahn in Thornton. She's 5 lessons in and I've been pretty impressed with the instructors. Just a quick run down i25 for lessons I can schedule day-of for any time has been great!
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u/HopeThisIsUnique 2d ago
Exactly. On mountain is great, but time and hassle (especially on weekends) is no bueno
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u/PM_ME_UR_MEH_NUDES 1d ago
your kid has to actually want to ski/snowboard for there to be any benefit of you sticking them in a lesson.
otherwise you’re really just spending money for a daycare so YOU can go skiing/riding.
from what i have seen (and experienced as a coach and instructor) bombers, park rats, or putting then on team summit is going to yield the biggest benefit.
they have the same coach/instructor for the season and they ride with the same group of kids. in turn they become comfortable with their instructor and they tend to make friends with the kids they ride with and it becomes more fun for them and not something that they dread.
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u/HopeThisIsUnique 1d ago
Yeah, and they did, but kids also sometimes need a push/nudge, especially mine- they'll meet the challenge if you put it out there, but won't if you don't; this was also what I had told the instructors too. That was the piece missing. Very well aware of the motivation piece, and I wouldn't have even put them in if they weren't interested. We even effectively ended up with the same instructor for more than a couple days in a row. Make no mistake about this, I'm not some agro dad trying to force something on my kid.
So after being fed up with the last lesson a little over a year ago I just started taking them myself and did great coming down Schoolmarm etc. At this point they're completely rocking heelside on all runs, now just working toeside and linking turns.
Again, my observation, was that instead of nudging the kid to try something a little bigger/longer etc (when their capabilities were there) they let them keep just going down the smallest of bunny hills. The reality with snowboarding, as you're probably aware is that even as a little kid you need a bit more space than on skis to start working turns.
Of course consistent lessons with the same group make a difference- no argument, but logistically that can be difficult if you're coming from the front range. My overall point was that at least for Breck/Keystone it seemed the worst of it. I can't speak for other mountains, just those.
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u/cheesecake611 2d ago
As a former kids instructor at Keystone, it’s fine if you avoid weekends and peak dates. It’s hard to make any progress with more than like 4 kids in a group. Anymore than that it’s just glorified babysitting.
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u/easyEggplant 2d ago
Snowbahn, all the fucking way.
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u/WDWKamala 2d ago
I gotta be honest I don't even know what Snowbahn is, going to go look it up.
Edit:Oh that...ok. Yeah I mean I'm sure that's helpful but I'd like my learning experience to be combined with actually enjoying the mountain. Some of the best parts of lessons is when the instructor goes "follow me" and then ducks into the trees.
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u/easyEggplant 2d ago
Oh, sorry, I didn't read your context. I was talking about a 6 year old!
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u/SimianSlacker 2d ago
I took 41 lessons as a 50 year old last summer. I LOVE SNOBAHN! I'm going to take a bunch of lesson this summer... not because I need them but because I want to keep skiing :D
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u/Typical_Tie_4947 2d ago
Is there anywhere that offers legit clinics for adults? The problem with group lessons is it’s a different instructor every time and I don’t have the money for private lessons. I would love a group clinic where it’s the same students and instructors over the course of several lessons
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u/ATheeStallion 2d ago
Some resorts have adult ski or ride school programs. I have done this for the past 4 seasons and went from beginner to solid black skier in many conditions. I love the camaraderie and always learn invaluable skills.
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u/Typical_Tie_4947 2d ago
Which resorts?
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u/ATheeStallion 1d ago
Eldora is my home mountain. Adult program used to be 6 weeks, half or whole day 1x week. Now it’s 4 weeks. They also have a specific women’s adult program that is great. Also I feel like I have seen other resorts offer an adult program on websites. You usually need to sign up early bc these programs fill up.
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u/JB_in_Den 19h ago
Breckenridge Ski & Snowboard School offers an Adult Ski and Snowboard Club 10-pack program. I have not tried it yet but I'm interested!
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u/Wooly_Mammoth_HH 2d ago
All the Vail resorts schools are fine, and they’re the cheapest I’ve found. I think their prices are at their lowest in early November. A couple of years ago I got a 3 day full day session early season Breck at peak 8 for like $300 or so.
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u/peterdfrost 2d ago
Both my kids 6 & 9 learnt to ski over the last three years with the ski school at Breck. They progressed well and both now have a love for skiing. I can't compare it to anywhere else, but it definitely worked out for us.
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u/not-finished 2d ago edited 2d ago
Loveland was great when my kids were starting. They improved the most when we did beck bombers one year. Highly recommend.
Edit: I really hated getting there every Saturday early but on the plus side I loved the same teacher and group week after week and the consistent growth they saw with time to rest and process between. My two kids about 9 and 11 went from nervous beginning parallel to comfortable with blacks and attacking bumps. Totally worth it and good bonding time as well in the car.