Lessons FAQ

Q: When and where will I meet my ski or snowboard Pro?
A: Meeting times and locations will vary. Please see below for reference.

Q: Are Private Lessons and Guided Experiences limited to 5 people?
A: Yes, Private Lessons and Guided Experiences have been, and will continue to be, limited to 5 people. This provides the best experience for our guests.

Q: How can I prepare for my trip ahead of time?
A: Guests can visit the Aspen Snowmass account portal or the Aspen Snowmass App to complete Ski & Snowboard School waivers and registration forms prior to all lessons and clinics. Signed waivers are required for all guests age 17 and under in order to participate in lessons.

Q: Are reservations required for Ski and Snowboard School Lessons or Clinics?
A: Yes. Reservations are required for all Ski and Snowboard School products, including Clinics, Group Lessons, Private Lessons and Guided Experiences. We strongly encourage reserving at least 7 days in advance. Reservation can be booked online at shop.aspensnowmass.com or by calling one of our agents at 877-308-7859.

Q: When I book a Private Lesson or Guided Experience, what can I expect in terms of added perks?
A: Guests who book a Private Lesson or Guided Experience can set the meeting time and location as well as curate their experience and agenda for the day with the insight and knowledge from their Pro. Lessons also give priority line access when loading our chairlifts and gondolas. Lift ticket and rentals are purchased a la carte.

Q: Is Child Care available this year?

A: Yes, we are pleased to be able to offer child care at the Treehouse Kids' Adventure Center during the 2022-23 season for our youngest guests, ages 8 weeks to 4 years. Child care is available for purchase in resort, however, advance reservations are strongly recommended as space is limited. Child care is not available to purchase online please call one of our agents at 877-308-7859.

Q: Do child lessons still include lunch?
A: Yes, all full-day, group lessons, ages 12 and under include lunch. Private lessons are excluded.

Q: Are you still providing storage and transfer with Private Lessons and Guided Experiences this year?
A: Yes, Private Lesson and Guided Experience guests will still be able to store and transfer their skis, snowboards and poles to the mountain of their choice for free.

Q: Will the Treehouse Kids’ Adventure Center and the Hideout at Buttermilk be open for children’s group lessons?
A: Yes, these facilities will still serve as a home base for ages 2.5- to 4-year-old group lessons for all guests. All safety protocols will be followed when children are indoors.

Q: What’s your cancellation policy on Ski School?
A: All Ski and Snowboard School products canceled or changed 48 hours or more in advance are fully refundable.

Skier Ability Zones

First Time Skier
Level 1: “I’ve never skied.”

Green Zone Skiers
Level 2: “I can slide, slightly change direction, and come to a stop.” – Easiest green terrain
Level 3: “I can link turns together and stop where I want to on the easiest green terrain. My turns are usually all the same size.” – Green terrain
Level 4: “I am linking turns together smoothly on all green terrain. I can make narrow and wide turns” – All green and easiest blue terrain

Blue Zone Skiers
Level 5: “I am skiing mostly parallel in a couple different turn sizes and shapes on most blue terrain. I am beginning to use my poles and can hockey stop in both directions.” - All green terrain and most blue terrain
Level 6: “I am skiing parallel and confidently on all groomed blue terrain. I am exploring un-groomed trails and the easiest bumps. I usually make the same turn sizes and shapes on un-groomed trails.” – All groomed blues, easy blue bumps, easy groomed blacks
Level 7: “I am able to make parallel turns with a pole plant on all blue and black terrain. I am exploring un-groomed black terrain, including bumps. I can change my turn sizes and shapes for the different challenges.” – All blue terrain and most black terrain

Black Zone Skiers
Level 8: “I am making different turns sizes and shapes, including rhythmic short turns and large carved turns, on all blue and black terrain (groomed or un-groomed). I feel comfortable exploring harder blacks and easier double black terrain.” – All black and easy double blacks terrain
Level 9: “I can ski the entire mountain and am working on skiing faster, smoother, difficult lines, and learning different strategies in the hardest terrain and snow conditions.” – Entire mountain

Snowboarder Ability Zones

First Time Snowboarder
Level 1: “I’ve never snowboarded.”

Green Zone Snowboarders
Level 2: “I have experienced sliding, traversing both directions, and stopping.” – Easiest green terrain
Level 3: “I can control my speed. while moving across the hill, and can stop with confidence. I am starting to turn in both directions.” – Green terrain
Level 4: “I can link skidded turns on green terrain.” – All green and easiest blue

Blue Zone Snowboarder
Level 5: “I am confident and can connect different turn sizes and shapes on all green terrain. I make more or less the same size and shape turn on easy blue terrain.” - All green terrain and most blue terrain
Level 6: “I am riding most blue terrain by connecting various turn sizes and shapes. I am also exploring switch riding, easy bumps, and/or freestyle.” – All blue terrain
Level 7: “I am able to ride all blue terrain in varied conditions and working on easy black terrain, including bumps, trees, and terrain parks.” – All blue terrain and groomed black terrain

Black Zone Snowboarder
Level 8: “I am confident performing dynamic turns on varied terrain and snow conditions, including trees, steeps and powder.” – All black and easy double blacks terrain
Level 9: “I am confident riding the entire mountain. I am working on a variety of tactics and techniques that will take me to the next level.” – Entire mountain, all conditions

Snowmass: Base Village Plaza

Aspen Mountain: Private Lesson Desk (inside the ticket office)

Aspen Highlands: Private Lesson Desk (inside the ticket office)

Buttermilk: Buttermilk Plaza, Base of Buttermilk

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to start time.

Snowmass: Base Village Plaza

Aspen Mountain: Private Lesson Desk (inside the ticket office)

Aspen Highlands: Private Lesson Desk (inside the ticket office)

Buttermilk: Buttermilk Plaza, Base of Buttermilk

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to start time.

Max 5 Adult First Time Group Ski & Snowboard

Snowmass (Ski): Top of the Elk Camp Gondola

Snowmass (Snowboard): Base Village Plaza

Buttermilk: Base of Summit Express Lift

Max 5 Adult Group Lesson

Snowmass (Ski): Top of the Elk Camp Gondola

Snowmass (Snowboard): Base Village Plaza

Buttermilk: Base of Summit Express Lift

Max 5 Adult Group Clinic

Snowmass (Ski): Top of the Elk Camp Gondola

Snowmass (Snowboard): Base Village Plaza

Aspen Mountain (Ski): Top of the Silver Queen Gondola

Aspen Highlands (Ski): Top of Exhibition Lift

Buttermilk: Base of Summit Express Lift

Women's Edge Clinic

Snowmass: Snowmass Base Village Plaza. First day meeting location is at Snowmass. The group will make plans to travel to other mountains during the first day of the program.

Please arrive 15 minutes before the start time.

Max 5 Group Lesson (Ages 13-17)

Snowmass: Snowmass Base Village Plaza, Next to the base of the village express lift

Buttermilk: Base of Summit Express

Ages 2.5-3 Year Old Program

Snowmass: Check in at the Treehouse Kids' Adventure Center, Level 1
Buttermilk: Check in at the Hideout

Max 5 Group Lesson Ages 3 & 4

Snowmass: Check in at the Treehouse Kids' Adventure Center, Level 2
Buttermilk: Check in at the Hideout

Max 5 Group Lesson Ages 5 & 6

Snowmass: Snowmass Base Village Plaza outside of the Treehouse Kids' Adventure Center
Aspen Highlands: Base of Exhibition lift (Blue zone & up skiers only)
Buttermilk: Backside of the Hideout on the snow

Max 5 Group Lessons Ages 7-12

Snowmass: Snowmass Base Village Plaza, next to the base of the Village Express Lift
Aspen Highlands: Base of Exhibition lift (Blue zone & up skiers only.)
Buttermilk: Base of Summit Express Lift.

Please arrive at your meeting location 15 minutes prior to start time dressed and ready to go.