I am learning to downhill ski in my sixth decade of life. Over the years, I’ve made a number of failed attempts to learn. Once on Japan’s icy slopes, thrice on Alyeska Resort’s torturously steep runs, and finally in the ungroomed backcountry of Thompson Pass, Alaska. Those experiences scared me out of my wits and left me wholly uninterested in the sport.

Then, last year upon moving to Spokane, I found myself surrounded by a half dozen beginner friendly ski areas. Along with that inducement, my husband was ready to dial back his ski ambitions, my stepson (also a recent transplant) was enthusiastic about skiing, and our four-year-old grandson was game. It looked like I had a troop.

I resolved to try downhill skiing again. I enumerated the mistakes I’d made in the past: I’d been in too big of a hurry, I’d let peer pressure push me onto slopes that were too difficult, and I hadn’t taken the time to acquire basic skills. This time, I’d learn properly.

Securing ski gear was my first item of business, so I headed to REI and came away from the store with a leased set up consisting of skis, poles, boots that seemed bearable, and a helmet. Next, my group decided to kick off the season on Mt. Spokane. The area offered an easy drive, inexpensive half-day Sunday passes, and a family-style reputation. Lastly, I signed up for a ski lesson. Nervous, I set out for what I hoped would be a successful initiation into downhill skiing. 

I found my class—a half dozen “adults” of whom I was the oldest by decades. Our ski instructor showed us how to tell left ski from right, how to efficiently clip in, and how to hold our poles. He taught us to mount and dismount from the chair lift. He coached us gently down the bunny slope. Amazingly, I enjoyed it. I skied in control. I didn’t careen into other humans. I didn’t tumble from the lift. Afterward, when I met up with my family, I was pompous with success and ready for more.

We hit the beginner slopes at Mt. Spokane and 49 Degrees North another half dozen times. Each time, I took it easy, practiced my nascent skills, enjoyed quiet moments riding up the swaying lift, and delighted in family camaraderie.

Our group’s final day of the season was at 49. We yo-yoed the Chair 3 beginner slope several times. Then, as the day progressed, I grew ambitious. I wanted to go to the top.

I mounted Chair 1. At the summit, the sun shone across miles of rolling pine-covered peaks. The groomed on-ramp to the green-rated Silver Ridge flowed away and the trail disappeared into dense trees. I pushed off, nice and slow. I made a set of turns and it felt okay. The snow was corn and my edges dug in. I descended comfortably and then, midway, I accidentally ended up on an intermediate run. My heart raced, but, determined, I sideslipped my way down—not graceful, but in control. 

At the bottom, I breathed a sigh of relief, took a moment, and then continued on. I cut a beautiful set of S’s through forested trails and managed a couple of parallel turns. At the lodge, I swooshed to a stop, giddy and breathless. As my enthusiastic band of family skiers high-fived me, I was already making plans for next year.

Tabitha Gregory relocated to Spokane from Valdez, Alaska, in 2018. She runs, backpacks, cross-country skis, and is now embracing the sport of downhill skiing. 

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70 percent of the runs at Lookout Pass are beginner or intermediate oriented, which means a huge portion of the mountain is quickly accessible to newbies. It’s always one of the first regional ski hills to open, so its season pass can get you more mileage. Plus, Lookout consistently has great snow—33 feet in an average year— thanks to its location at the crest of the Bitterroot Range on the Idaho/Montana state line. And it’s just a 90-minute car ride from Spokane.

The vibe at Lookout is also beginner-friendly. You’ll see fewer selfie sticks and gratuitous hucks. People cruising around the mountain genuinely seem to be there for the love of the snow. But you don’t have to be afraid to carpool with friends who want to charge harder runs than you. Playful terrain and quality snow make Lookout a great spot for people of all abilities. There are sweet tree skiing runs and powder stashes to be found, and the resort is undergoing an expansion to add fast chairlifts and more runs in the coming years.For kids, Lookout takes the Learn to Ski concept to a whole new level. Every Saturday morning from Jan. 4 through March 7, Lookout hosts a free ski school for kids. Kids without lift tickets or season passes can still attend, but they cannot continue skiing for the day without  purchasing a lift ticket or pass. Rentals are not included, but they are affordable, and you can also look for used gear at local ski swaps or Northwest Outdoors gear consignment store in Spokane. 

Learn To Ski Month Deals

Local resorts offer an economical way to explore a new way to get outside in the winter through their learn-to-ski-or-snowboard packages. Packages are a great option for families who want to learn how to ski or board together or for beginners who want to check out different resorts without spending a ton of money. But with many resorts offering deals on season passes once the learn to ski program is completed, it will be hard to stop at just a few lessons! Please note that most participating resorts expect guests to call ahead to schedule lessons and that most packages are only for brand-new, first-time skiers and riders of any age. 

49 Degrees North 

January Learn to Ski or Ride Month: In addition to $10 off their EZ Ski or Ride package, 49 is offering Mastering the Mountain clinics on the following days: Jan. 7 (co-ed) and Jan. 13 (women specific). The EZ Ski or Ride 1-2-3 program includes three days of fun, complete with lift tickets, ski or snowboard rentals, and lessons (available to ages 5+). 

Lesson begins at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. for ages 5-13. There are also lessons that begin at 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. for ages 12+. Purchase and reservations must be made 24 hours in advance. This is a special introductory program focusing on teaching a strong foundation for those who have never skied or snowboarded or those who may need to rebuild their confidence on the slopes. The first and second visit include a Chair 3 (beginner chairlift) lift ticket, and the third visit includes an all-mountain lift ticket. Cost: $189. Contact 509-935-6649, extension 610, for more info.

Lookout Pass

January Learn to Ski or Ride Month Special: Pay only $99 for the EZ Ski or Ride 1-2-3 program that includes three all-day lift tickets. Day one and two start on the Success beginner chairlift, while day three includes an all-mountain lift ticket. The package also includes rental equipment usage and lessons to help you progress quickly. Classes are available every day they are open, and reservations are required. The graduation gift for completion of the Learn to Ski or Ride in 3 Days program is a special rate on a season pass, with daily rental equipment included. This program applies only to first-time beginners. This package is for ages 13 and up, and Lookout offers other deals for kids. Cost: $129. Contact 208-744-1301, extension 15, for more info. 

Mt. Spokane 

January Learn to Ski or Ride Month Special: Pay only $139 for the EZ Ski or Ride 1-2-3 program, which includes three lessons, three lift tickets, and three 3 rentals. Group lessons are available at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. on any weekend or holiday. Learn the basics with a Beginner’s Luck lift ticket (Chair 5 only) on the first lesson and progress as far as you want to on the second two lessons with an all-mountain lift ticket. Upon completion of the EZ-Ski or Ride program, you will be eligible to purchase a season pass for the remainder of the season for just $129 as a graduation gift.  The cost is $159 or $139 during January’s Learn to Ski Month program. Contact 509-238-2220, extension 215, for more info.

Silver Mountain Resort

January Learn to Ski or Ride Month: For the month of January, pay just $62 (adult) or $47 (youth) for a lift ticket, lesson, and rental. Or sign up for the EZ Ski or Ride 1-2-3 program that includes three lift tickets on the Prospector lift, three rentals, and three lessons for ages 7+. Lessons are at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. and are not available during the Christmas holiday period from Dec. 21, 2019 through Jan. 4, 2020. The program is open to first timers only, and first visits must occur between opening day and March 1. (The program cost is $139.) Contact 208-783-1111, extension 8220, for more info. 

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Green Circle—Tips for First-timers 

Pasino ‘s first recommendation is to start at the gear shop, whether renting or purchasing, and kindly refuse any friend’s offer to loan old equipment for a first trip to the ski hill. As she points out, “The dialed-in fit and safety components offered by reputable gear shops are crucial for a safe and fun first experience.” After that, the top recommendation for new skiers and riders is to invest in a lesson. Most resorts offer both group and individual lessons for youth and adults, and “getting started on the right foot makes a BIG difference” in terms of long-term enjoyment of the sport.  

Blue Square—Intermediate Advice 

The most important aspect of the transition from green circle to blue square and beyond comes down to equipment upgrades. Pasino explains that “Beginner equipment is designed to be soft and flexible to make low-speed turning easy,” and ski bindings are set to break away easily in the event of a fall. “Those settings no longer support the higher speed and more aggressive turns typically made on steeper blue runs.”  Once one’s equipment is ready for intermediate runs, Pasino recommends that skiers work on speed control through turn shape (not the beginner snowplow), focusing on achieving more control of the ski while requiring less effort by changing the turning radius. 

Black Diamond and Beyond—Transitioning to Advanced Terrain 

The most important tip for those transitioning to black diamond and tree skiing runs is to study the resort maps and “know the exits and don’t end up in situations without an out,” advises Pasino. Skiers and riders who don’t know the area well can accidently find themselves out of bounds or in dangerous terrain. Once you have planned a route, the next important skill to master has to do with ski tactics. As Pasino explains, “What you look at is what you ski at: Focus between trees [not at trees], and look several turns ahead.”  It’s also important to be physically ready for the demands of more intense runs. Pasino cautions to “Avoid being tense. Instead, be fluid as you move down the hill.”  As a final takeaway, she reminds skiers and boarders alike that it’s our feet that are attached: “The most efficiency and control comes through the lower joints, feet and ankles.” //

Learn to Ski & Snowboard Month 

It’s also worth looking ahead to January, which is Learn to Ski & Snowboard Month.  All local resorts will offer discounts on lessons, which could make an excellent Christmas gift for a prospective skier or rider. At 49 Degrees North, the resort is also offering a series of intermediate/advanced clinics, for women only. Each clinic runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and costs $59. The first in the series will be held on Dec. 16 and will be focused on “Starting Off the Season Strong” by building good habits that will lead to improvements over the entire season. //

Holly Weiler learned to ski the hard way: a 60-minute lesson from a friend’s mogul–racing stepfather. She writes the Hike of the Month for each issue.  

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• 49° North Mountain Resort: Discovery Club Trailblazers, ages 7-13 (ski or snowboard); 49° North Alpine Ski Team.
• Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area: Private advanced lessons for skiers or snowboarders; Lookout Pass Ski Race Team.
• Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park: Kids Club for skiers and snowboarders, ages 7-15 (6-week sessions and 3-day holiday camps); Cadet Program, ages 13-17, volunteer extensive training program for Mountain Sports School that prepares students to pass a Level 1 instructor certification; Mt. Spokane Ski Racing Team.
• Silver Mountain Resort: Silver Kids, ages 7-12 (must make reservations for intermediate and advanced class packages for 2+ students); ALL Mountain Kids Club, ski or snowboard 8-week program, ages 7-13; Silver Mountain Alpine Race Team. (AM)

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Schweitzer Mountain Resort

Schweitzer’s Nice Turns clinic is intended for intermediate and advanced skiers only and lets you improve your skills in a fun environment with the same group of like-minded individuals over a four or six-week period. The six-week clinic begins the week of Jan. 5 and the four-week clinic begins the week of March 2. This program is available to skiers ages 18 and up. For more information visit Schweitzer.com.

Lookout Pass

Lookout offers private ski, snowboard, telemark, and cross-country lessons for every ability level; however, if you prefer to learn with others, Lookout Pass has a couple of programs to choose from. The Senior 55+ Workshop is for both women and men 55 and over. Participants meet at 8:30 a.m. in the Loft Pub on Mondays for a light breakfast before hitting the slopes.

Lookout also offers Downhill Divas, a women’s-only ski program for all skier ability levels with an emphasis on fun and comradery. The Diva’s meet every Friday from 1-3 p.m. starting Jan. 5 through March 9.

Mt. Spokane

For specialty or advanced ski or snowboard lessons, Mt. Spokane suggests signing up for a private lesson. Private lessons are offered Wednesday-Sunday at every hour between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Private lessons are also available at night with a 48-hour advanced reservation.

Alternatively, Mt. Spokane offers a six-week lesson program for all ability levels ages 16 and up. Each lesson is taught by the same instructor, so you can spend more time perfecting new skills. Upon completion of the program you’ll receive a season pass good for the rest of the 2018/2019 season.

49 Degrees North

For the intermediate or advanced skier, 49 offers private lessons or a special Skill Builder lesson for skiers and snowboarders ages 12 and up who want to take their skiing or boarding to the next level. Lessons are available weekends and holidays only.

Silver Mountain Resort

Silver Mountain Resort offers private and group lessons for all ability levels. Silver Mountain also offers a package deal that includes your lift ticket, a one-hour private lesson, and rental at $125 for adults or $100 youth. This is a great deal if you don’t have your own equipment.

If you’re looking to learn something specific, private lessons are a great option, and clinics are also a great way to stay motivated and make new skier or boarder friends. Regardless of ability level or lesson type, sign up for a ski or snowboard lesson this winter, and you are guaranteed to learn something new and have more fun! //

Siobhan is looking forward to building on her skills on the slopes this season. She last wrote about winter gear recommendations in the October issue of Out There.

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49 Degrees North Mountain Resort

Location: Chewelah, Wash.

Rookie Terrain: Hobbit Handle Tow, “Payday” Chair 3, Treasure Hill

Learn to Ski/Ride Deals: Learn to Ski/Snowboard lesson package, EZ Ski/Snowboard 1-2-3 program, and private lesson programs for all ages and abilities.

“As the great film maker Warren Miller was so fond of saying, ‘If you don’t do it this year, you’ll just be another year older when you do,’” says 49 Degrees North director of skiing and snowboarding, Rick Brown. To encourage those new to the sport to make this year the year, 49 serves up some great beginner terrain.

“Easy Slide, Gold Chute, Fool’s Gold, Trolley Car, and Hans’ Highway make for great adventures on wide, gentle slopes that flow through a beautiful forested area,” says Brown. “Users of all ages get to really engage in the mountain environment, enjoy nature, and spot a variety of painted animals that are mounted to trees as landmarks along the trails.” These beginner routes at 49 are for all ages, and Chair 3 will provide a slower run to make for easier loading and unloading.

49’s ski school is also constantly working on new techniques to provide a great experience, whether they use hula hoops, balloons, stuffed animals, Right Reels, or just continue to train their team with the newest, proven approaches to teaching. “The mountains provide so many possibilities,” Brown says. “It’s so sad to think about being cooped up inside for months and months when there is so much fun to be had.”

Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park

Location: Mead, Wash.

Rookie Terrain: “Beginner’s Luck” and new surface lift

Learn to Ski/Ride Month Deals: EZ Ski 1-2-3: Three 2-hour group lessons, three rentals, and three lift tickets for $159 ($149 during the month of January). Available every Saturday & Sunday.

“This season we are totally changing up our learning area,” says Brenda McQuarrie, guest services director and marketing coordinator for Mt. Spokane. “We’ve expanded it to make room for a 100’ surface lift for beginners.”

The new surface lift will provide a much-welcome ride up the flats while standing, which is helpful when the beginner is learning the basic skills and still getting comfortable with their equipment. It will also lessen the energy used in the lesson to gain a little altitude to slide back down.

Once the novice rider is ready for a chair lift, Beginner’s Luck will fit the bill. This chair is lower and slower than the other chairs on the mountain and services the “bunny hill” and other green runs that a beginner will feel comfortable on. The lift operators on Beginner’s Luck are trained to give an extra hand to newcomers who may struggle. “We build confidence here before we move to more challenging slopes, depending on the needs and desires of the student,” McQuarrie says.

The learning area at Mt. Spokane is also fenced and separated at the bottom of Beginner’s Luck to keep other guests distant and let newbies feel safe while learning their new favorite sport. Additionally, Mt. Spokane is installing a new lift that will serve intermediate (blue square) terrain at the top of the mountain that will add a new area to explore and learn on.

“Mt. Spokane welcomes families and we do a good job in accommodating them,” says McQuarrie. “We can offer a more personal experience with each person getting their needs met individually by our experienced staff. This is Spokane’s home mountain and we do our best to make it feel like that home away from home in the snow.”

Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area

Location: Mullan, Idaho

Rookie Terrain: Success Slope, Huckleberry Ridge, Tamarack

Learn to Ski/Ride Deals: One-day learn to ski or snowboard with 1.5-hr beginner-specific group lesson package ($59) and three-day learn to ski or snowboard package, which includes an all-mountain lift ticket on the third day ($99).

Lookout Pass is not as daunting as it may sound to beginners—their beginner’s “Success Lift” is a triple chair, which allows a ski or snowboard instructor to sit between two students and guide them on and off the chair. Success Lift also provides access to several beginner trails to help newbies gain confidence.

“As the beginner lift is closer to the ground on the trip up, it helps put people at ease,” says Matt Sawyer, director of marketing and sales for Lookout Pass. The length of the lift is shorter than most, the beginner terrain has a shallow pitch, and there’s a large staging area at the top to get comfortable with unloading. For those interested in the terrain scene, the intro-level features and smaller jumps at “Huckleberry Jam” will provide a great opportunity to build freestyle moves.

This season, Lookout Pass has also brought in a new ski school director, Chris Sawyer, who has extensive teaching and directing experience with children’s programs. Milam has designed new full and half day programs for kids ages 4 to 12. “Lookout Pass is where you go if it is all about having fun,” says Sawyer. “We have also been running a free ski school for kids for 77 years. Our terrain for beginners is welcoming, as is our staff.”

Silver Mountain Resort

Location: Kellogg, Idaho

Rookie Terrain: Two beginner’s lifts, a surface lift, and a fixed grip double that serves easier terrain.

Learn to Ski/Ride Deals: In January, purchase a full-priced adult or youth ticket and pay just $2 for lessons and rentals.

At Silver Mountain, you can take a ride up Easy Street—it’s as beginner-friendly as it sounds. Located just outside the Mountain House, Easy Street transitions from nearly flat to a 10-percent grade. “It’s steep enough to make turns on, but still not intimidating for first time skiers and boarders,” says ski patrol director Drew Mahan.

Once comfortable on Easy Street, newbies can access beginner terrain via Chair 5, a low-speed double chair that only serves beginner terrain, which is a nice introduction to how to ride a chairlift. Soon, you’ll be gliding around Ross Run, another beginner’s run directly beneath the resort’s gondola. It has a bit more pitch, but is wide and well-groomed. Nearby Noah’s Progression Park also offers 10 to 20 beginner- and intermediate-oriented terrain park features.

“We have a great diversity of options for people to choose from,” says Mahan. “We have skiing and boarding on Easy Street, snow tubing, snow shoeing on the snowshoe trail, or just watching from the picture windows of the lodge.”

One misconception is that the learn to ski lessons are only for kids—Siobhan Ebel, of Silver Mountain marketing, reiterates that plenty of adults are out there learning for the first time, as are full families who want to learn to ski together.  “Learning to ski or snowboard is a great way to make friends or spend time as a family while staying active,” says Ebel. And, as ski school director Jake Waterdown puts it, “Silver Mountain will offer passionate instructors and mellow beginner runs to get you started on a life-long hobby.”//

Lisa Laughlin is a freelance writer and an Associate Editor for Out There Venture. She hopes to learn to ski this winter.

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This year we will do our best to build on those skills and start working on turning and stopping. While teaching our son to ski has been one of the most memorable parenting experiences so far, at age 3 and a half, this season he will be old enough for a professional lesson from someone other than mom and dad.

If, like me, you are nowhere near a professional ski instructor, getting your child in lessons as early as possible will help them learn the basics faster and have more fun when you do ski together as a family. A professional instructor may also trigger less drama in your little one when they are challenged or get tired.

All four of the Ski the Northwest Rockies association affiliated resorts (49 Degrees North, Lookout Pass, Mt. Spokane, and Silver Mountain) have their own group and private lesson programs for different ages and abilities of skiers and snowboarders.

49 Degrees North Child/Youth Lesson Programs

Here is a sample of the types of youth lessons to choose from at 49 Degrees North. Visit your favorite local resort for details about similar group and private lesson offerings.

• EZ Ski/Ride 1-2-3: This complete package for beginners that focuses on building a strong foundation of skiing or snowboarding includes three lift tickets, three group lessons, and three rentals (youth and adult options).
• 49er Youth Camp: Three full days of instruction, fun, and games with coaching for skiers and snowboarders at all levels (ages 5-6).
• Little Nugget Signature Private Lesson: Personalized coaching and a lot of attention for the young skier or snowboarder (ages 2-6, hourly rates).
• Mommy & Me/Daddy & Me Lesson: This program teaches kids to have a good time while they learn and teaches mom and dad the skills they will need to continue skiing or riding with their child after the lesson (ages 2 and up, hourly rates).
• Lil Cub Package: A great package for the little ones that don’t want to ski all day. This all-day package includes daycare, lessons, rental equipment, and lift ticket (ages 2-6).
• Scout Half or Full Day Lesson: Explore the mountain and build new ski or snowboard skills (all levels, ages 5-6).
• Explorer Multi-Week Lesson Program: Four days of personal lessons from the same coach in small classes grouped by ability will help build your child’s confidence and skills (ages 5-6). Participants receive a free season pass at the end of this program!
• More 49 Degrees North lesson info at Ski49n.com. //

[Sponsored by Ski the NW Rockies, Lookout Pass, Mt. Spokane, Silver Mountain, and 49 Degrees North.]

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My two children were each about 2½ years old when my husband and I first took them on the bunny hill. Which means they sucked on pacifiers and dozed on chairlifts. Most stressful for me was helping them off the chairlift. But training gear made it easier. Along with using an “Edgie Wedgie” (ski tip connector), they each wore a CoPilot LIFT Multi-Sport Halter (made by Snowcraft), which is a back harness for hoisting kids on and off chairlifts, picking them up after falls or boosting them forward on flat sections. My family also had success with the CoPilot Ski Trainer. Though there are other styles and brands of ski-training accessories, this version really teaches forward balance and prevents kids from relying on parents to hold them up when they slouch like sacks of potatoes. Unfortunately, there is nothing to ease the thigh pain from snowplowing behind your kid for hours. 

Expert Advice on Teaching Your Kids to Ski

Mt. Spokane Ski Instructor Katrin Pardue has “seen kids go from ‘Never-evers’ to shredding it down Two Face,” she says. Starting kids on skis at age 3-6 is best, even if it’s only minimal experience to “get them familiar with the mountain and how it operates,” Pardue says. “Be patient. Sometimes they need a full day to just understand how to stop. Everyone learns at a different pace…. For that first day I wouldn’t ski more than 3 hours.” Here are a few more tips from Pardue to help you help your kids learn to ski faster and have more fun in the process.

• Creative ways to teach ski posture: “Tell the kids that they have two cups of hot cocoa in their hands and they don’t want to spill it,” she says. “Along with that, they pretend to have a $100 bill in each boot, right in front of their shins. The only way to keep it safe is to push on the front of their boots. It works every time. Both of these will help keep your kids forward on their skis.”
• Chairlift loading and unloading: First, observe with your child how others are doing it; tell him/her “to look at their partner on the chair and grab the pole, and keep ski tips up during the whole ride.” For assisting off the chairlift, especially those littlest ones who can’t even touch the off-ramp, Pardue says to snugly wrap one arm around the child’s arms and upper body to slowly guide off. “For older kiddos, they need to keep their tips up, and once their feet are flat on the ramp, they need to stand up and shoot their arms forward like they are superheroes,” she says.
• Making it magical: Pardue uses whimsical scenarios to motivate young students: “I like to make the mountain a fairy tale. [I tell them] that a unicorn lives in the woods…squirrels run the chairlifts, by running on hamster wheels. Bunnies live underneath the snow on the bunny hill,” she says. “It makes it fun for me and the children eat it up.”
• Making it fun for all: “Parents, give yourself time to ski as well, even if that means slashing a turn through the fresh on the side of the bunny hill.” //

[Sponsored by Ski the NW Rockies, Mt. Spokane, Lookout Pass, 49 Degrees North, and Silver Mountain.]

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January is Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month, and local resorts are offering great resources to get started. From 3-step instructed programs to “graduation” deals like discounted season passes, this month is the time to play in the mountains.

“We want people to have a great experience, and having that formal instruction at the beginning is key,” says Tom Stebbins of Vision Marketing, who along with his wife and business partner Karen also run the non-profit Ski the Northwest Rockies group that helps promote skiing and snowboarding at local resorts. Stebbins was there with a few other passionate ski industry people at the brainstorm session that led to the launch of the Learn to Ski & Snowboard Month movement. Since that initial meeting, the program has taken off across the country, including here in the Inland Northwest.

“We wanted to grow the sport,” says Stebbins, and with the Learn to Ski & Snowboard program, that’s happening here locally. “It’s the industry standard to ski or snowboard three times before you can proficiently move around on green or blue runs. We’ve been able to bring in a new group of people,” he explains.

The early goal of the Learn to Ski program was to create a framework that would allow resorts to expand with their own programs to suit their regional needs. The national Learn to Ski website (learntoskiandsnowboard.org) is now a resource to locate ski areas and find tips on approaching the sport around the U.S.

“We want to get newcomers outside in winter being physically active,” says Mary Jo Tarallo, Executive Director of Learn to Ski and Snowboard. “We also want to convey that there are many affordable opportunities for newcomers to get involved and stay involved, but you have to know where to look.” Tarallo estimates that Learn to Ski resort partners have introduced more than 870,000 people to skiing or snowboarding through professional instruction since the start of the Learn to Ski movement in 2009. The program began as a proactive grassroots movement, focused on introducing new people to the sport rather than catering to established ski customers.

“The Inland Northwest was involved from the beginning, and was instrumental in getting the initiative off the ground,” says Tarallo. The four Ski the Northwest Rockies affiliated resorts, Mt. Spokane, 49 Degrees North, Silver Mountain, and Lookout Pass, are all celebrating Learn to Ski & Snowboard Month with some incredible deals and programs that we cover below. For more info on Learn to Ski deals Schweitzer Mountain Resort is offering in January, check out Schweitzer.com.

49 Degrees North

Location: Chewelah, WA

January Deals: Learn to Ski and Learn to Ski “Plus” package; EZ 1-2-3 Package

“We’ve got a very family-friendly resort that is really welcoming to people of all abilities,” says 49 Degrees North Ski and Snowboard School Director Rick Brown. “Skiing is a sport that sometimes can seem a bit daunting. To have a quality coach, good terrain, and a friendly atmosphere greatly increases the success rate.”

At 49 Degrees North, folks learning to ski or snowboard will have access to low-stress trails away from the stream of higher-level ski traffic. “We have some pretty unique terrain that is very functional for people to learn on,” says Brown. “Skiing is not like Disneyland where you can go and stand in line and take a ride. Our programs are a great way to get people started off on the right foot.” The best thing about these programs at 49 Degrees North? You don’t have to use them in January—you can purchase this month and use the package at any time during the season.

The resort’s Learn to Ski or Snowboard package includes a one-day lesson, rental equipment, and Chair 3 lift ticket to access beginner terrain. Group lessons are offered on weekends and holidays. If you upgrade your package to the “Plus,” you’ll receive all the Learn to Ski benefits with the addition of a morning and afternoon group lesson and All Mountain Lift Ticket granting unlimited mountain access.

If you want to build a good skiing or snowboarding foundation, 49 Degrees North’s EZ 1-2-3 program includes three lessons, three rentals, and three lift tickets. You’ll need to schedule lessons ahead of time. Check out the resort website for more info: Ski49n.com.

Silver Mountain

Location: Kellogg, ID

January Deals: Learn to Ski Package; Easy Ski or Ride 1-2-3; Flex 5 Program

Silver Mountain Ski Resort boasts easy access for newcomers. “There’s no crazy mountain driving or throwing on ski boots in the parking lot,” says Willie Bartlett, Director of Marketing at Silver Mountain. “People can walk in with their street shoes, hop in the gondola, and have a relaxing ride up.” When you do get to the mountain, you’ll benefit from lots of acreage and short lift lines. Silver Mountain also boasts the longest surface lift in the region, located right at the lodge, so you can try some quick laps without tackling chairlifts when you’re first getting started.

With the purchase of a lift ticket, you’ll receive a beginner group lesson and free rental with Silver Mountain’s Learn to Ski package in January. Silver’s Easy Ski or Ride 1-2-3 program is available at any time this season and includes three lessons with rental gear and lift ticket.

If you want to commit to a fun season, purchase Silver Mountain’s Flex 5 deal by January 15: you’ll get five lessons, five rentals, and five lift tickets. Upon completion, you’ll receive a free season pass, and get half price off your pass for the next season. More info: Silvermt.com.

Lookout Pass

Location: Mullan, ID

January Deals: Learn to Ski or Ride in Three Days Package

Despite the name, this ski area straddling the Idaho/Montana state line also helps skiers and riders avoid some of the worst winter driving. Lookout is located 200 yards off Interstate 90 at Exit 0, a 90-minute drive from Spokane. It’s a relatively small ski area, so newcomers can bank on plenty easy terrain and little cross traffic.

“We’re a family-oriented mountain,” says Marketing Director Matthew Sawyer. “You’re a name here, not a number.” Sawyer cites the quality of instructors and training experience as a big reason to choose Lookout for your learning experience. For true first-time skiers or snowboarders, Lookout awards a “graduation” present in the form of a free season pass good for the remainder of the season.

Lookout’s Learn to Ski package includes three rentals, three 75-minute group lessons, and three lift tickets, two of which provide mountain-wide access. Find prices and more package information online, including info about a one-day package with lift ticket to a beginner slope, rental gear, and hour-plus lesson: Skilookout.com.

Mt. Spokane

Location:  Spokane, WA

January Deals: EZ Ski or Ride 1-2-3 Package

Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park is as close as it gets if you live in Spokane and want to try to ski or snowboard this year. The mountain offers multi-week lessons and has an extensive ski school. “We really want to get people excited, and not just have their friend or spouse teach them, but learn those tips that can help them succeed,” says Mt. Spokane’s Brenda McQuarrie.

Mt. Spokane offers a discount on the price of the EZ Ski or Ride 1-2-3 package for the month of January. The package includes three lessons, three lift tickets, and three rentals. On your first lesson you’ll learn the basics with a Chair 5 lift ticket with access to the beginner hill, progressing to an all-mountain lift ticket with the second two lessons. Upon finishing the third lesson of the program, you’ll be eligible to buy a season pass at a discounted price. Check out Mt. Spokane’s website for more info: Mtspokane.com. //

Lisa Laughlin is Out There’s digital editor. She wrote about the Nordic ski and snowshoe rental program that Fitness Fanatics runs at Mount Spokane in the December issue.

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