Ski & Snowboard Lessons
Bretton Woods Ski School
Welcome to the Bretton Woods Ski School. Learning to ski or snowboard can be a life-changing experience. Join countless others who have taken their first slide through a lesson with a Bretton Woods instructor. Many of our professional instructors are PSIA and AASI certified, bringing you the highest quality standardized instruction. From first-timers stepping into a pair of boots or to the experienced looking to build on your current skill set, our instructors are ready to provide a more personal and tailored lesson experience for your needs.
Online reservations must be made 24 hours in advance. Less than 24 hours, please call the Ski School. We offer a limited number of same-day lessons with a reservation and full payment. We highly recommend that you make reservations in advance. Students should meet their ski and snowboard instructors at the Ski School Meeting Place near the Learning Center Quad. All participants must have a lift ticket.
Snow Play
Private lessons provide a tailored approach to the needs of your child. This is a playful and fun introduction to the basic movements of skiing. We take the Snow Play approach in getting acquainted with snow, the cold, the clothing, boots, and equipment while integrating the sliding movements of skiing. The timeline for each child to learn the movements of skiing is different. Your instructor can provide further guidance in addressing your expectations. Lessons are 60-minutes, one-on-one for children 4-6 years old.
Scheduled Lesson Times
9am
11am
1:30pm
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Children's Group Lessons
Our lessons are for children ages 4 to 10 years old held Friday through Sunday, as well as select holidays. Children will be grouped by age and ability. This is a fun and playful approach to the world of skiing and integrates games and fun learning with movements of skiing. We only offer snowboarding as a private lesson.
Scheduled Lesson Times
Friday - Sunday and holidays
9:45am Check-in at the ski school meeting place at the base of the Learning Center Quad, ready to ski
10am-12pm Lessons
12pm Morning lessons end
12-1pm Full-day lunch provided
1pm-3pm Lessons
3pm Full-day lessons end and parent's pick up their children at ski school meeting place
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Group Lessons
Ski and snowboard lessons provide a foundation for a life-changing experience. At Bretton Woods Ski Resort, we offer group lessons for first-time skiers and riders ages 13 years-old and older. Lessons run for 2-hours and are available Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holidays. This lesson is for the first-timer working on basic movements of sliding, stopping, and turning.
Scheduled Lesson Times
10am-12pm Morning session
1pm-3pm Afternoon session
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Private Lessons
Private ski and snowboard lessons provide a personal experience tailored to your needs. At Bretton Woods Ski Resort, we offer a private lesson for one person or a semi-private lesson up to four people that is customized for family and friends who want to learn together. Lessons are available for people ages 4 years-old and older. Lessons will run for 90-minutes daily beginning in December. Ski students must be at least 4 years-old and snowboard students must be at least 7 years-old or older.
Scheduled Lesson Times
9am
11am
1:30pm
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The Half Day
Ever wish you could hire an instructor to meet you where your level of experience is, but for a longer period of time? We introduce, The Half Day. This 3.5 hour semi-private lesson is available for up to 4 people ages 7 and older. Think one-on-one coaching for any level of skier or rider. Whether you're just starting out skiing or riding, or maybe you want to hone your skills on the steeps or in the trees, The Half Day is your opportunity to learn from an instructor who will coach you to elevate your movements and style. During the lesson, we have planned for 2 short breaks for a snack or to warm-up. This is a great way to learn, explore, or rip it up with a pro. Everyone in the lesson should be at the same ability level. Lessons starting daily beginning in December. Students must be at least 7 years-old and older.
Scheduled Lesson Times
9am-12:30pm
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Ski School FAQ
What is my level of skiing?
Beginner's Guide to Skiing
Red Zone: This is my first-time skiing. I am working on turning and stopping. Red skiers must be able to turn and stop in a wedge on the easiest trail before moving to the Learning Center Green.
Green Zone (Learning Center Quad): I am turning and stopping on the easiest green trails. Learning Center Green skiers must be able to ski in a wedge and stop on all the green trails before moving on to Mountain Green Zone.
Green Zone (Mountain): I am comfortable on all green trails, working on basic turns. Mountain green skiers must be able to ski in a wedge and start to match (parallel) skis at the end of the turn on all green trails before moving on to the Blue Zone.
Blue Zone: I am skiing parallel on blue trails. I make some turns in a wedge and others parallel. Blue Zone skiers must be skiing parallel on all blue and some black terrain before moving on to the Black Zone.
Black Zone: I am comfortable skiing parallel on all black trails and starting to challenge myself with bumps and tree skiing.
What is my level of snowboarding?
Beginner's Guide to Snowboarding
Red Zone: This is my first-time riding. I am working on turning and stopping. Red riders must be able to slide, stop, and make turns on both toe and heel sides on the easiest trail before moving to Learning Center Green.
Green Zone (Learning Center Quad): I am stopping and linking turns on the easiest of green terrain. Learning Center Green riders must be able to link toe and heel side turns and stop on all green trails before moving to Mountain Green.
Green Zone (Mountain): I am comfortable on all green trails, working on basic turns. Mountain Green riders must be able to link a variety of turns on all green and some blue terrain before moving to the Blue Zone.
Blue Zone: I am riding mostly blue trails, using a variety of turn shapes to control my speed. I challenge myself with some black trails. Blue Zone riders must be able to ride all blue and some black terrain before moving to the Black Zone.
Black Zone: I am riding a variety of black trails (bumps, trees, and steeps) and exploring basic freestyle movements.
Are group lessons available?
Yes, we provide group lessons on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and select holidays at 10am and 1pm for children and adults.
Can I get a group lesson for my children?
We offer a 2-hour morning group lesson and a full day lesson for ages 4-10. Check-in is at 9:45am, and lessons start at 10am on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and select holidays.
Does a full day lesson include lunch?
The full day program includes lunch.
Do lessons include rentals and tickets?
Lessons do not include rentals and tickets. You can purchase them in advance online on the Bretton Woods eStore.
Where do lessons meet?
All lessons meet at the Ski School Meeting Place at the base of the Learning Center Quad.
What is PSIA/AASI?
Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) and American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI) provide standardized training for professional snowsports instructors. Many of our ski and snowboard instructors have gone through this training and passed exams to be PSIA and AASI certified. This certification validates their knowledge and professionalism in ski and snowboard instruction. PSIA/AASI certifies instructors to ensure high-quality instruction. Our instructors, combined with world-class snow and grooming, make Bretton Woods a top destination.
Are you offering the race competition programs?