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Ability Guide

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Learn more about Lesson & Program Ability Levels for Skiing & Snowboarding.
SnowSports Recreation Guide Mount Washington

2022.23 SnowSports Recreation Guide
Alpine & Nordic

Reserve your dates now for the winter season, and view our online Snow Sports Recreation Guide.

View Nordic - View Alpine

Need help booking, call us at 250-338-1386 ext 384 or email lessons@mountwashington.ca

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Skiing Levels

Discover Skiing - First Time Skier

Discover Skiing Lessons (First time skiers) Our programs are dynamic and fun, the way skiing and riding is supposed to be.
Please use as a guide only.

Terrain: Easy Acres or Green Terrain
GOAL Speed control in snowplow position.

  • Welcome to the Sport of Skiing!
  • First time skier who has never skied before.
Mount Washington Snow School Discover Skiing

Level 1 - Beginner Skier

Level One Our programs are dynamic and fun, the way skiing and riding is supposed to be. Please use as a guide only.

  • Rides the magic carpet
  • Cannot consistently snowplow stop
  • Shows a balanced stance in a straight run

Terrain: Easy Acres or Green Terrain
Goal: Can snowplow stop on their own

Level 2 - Novice Skier

Level Two, Our programs are dynamic and fun, the way skiing and riding is supposed to be. Please use as a guide only.

  • Can turn left or right snowplow turns on gentle terrain
  • Familiar with riding all magic carpets

Terrain: Skis Green and Blue Terrain in Easy Acres and the Hawk Chair
Goal: Controlled snowplow turns on their own and starting to ski parallel on Green terrain.

Level 3 - Intermediate Skier

Our programs are dynamic and fun, the way skiing and riding is supposed to be. Please use as a guide only.
  • Able to ski parallel turns with a pole plant on Blue runs
  • Tougher Blue runs remain a challenge
  • Skis are parallel but skier cannot edge well or ski varied terrain (small bumps etc)

Terrain: Skis Blue Terrain on the Hawk and Whiskey Chairs
Goal: Explore varied terrain, coordination of movements for edging and pressure control.

 

Level 4 - Advanced Skier

Our programs are dynamic and fun, the way skiing and riding is supposed to be. Please use as a guide only.
  • Strong parallel turns with a pole plant on all Blue and easy Black groomed runs
  • Skis at a moderate pace off piste but are still cautious
  • You are confident in your skills in the Green terrain park

Terrain: Skis Blue/Black Terrain on the Eagle and Sunrise Chairs
Goal: Linking turns in the bumps, explore the Green park and pole plant

Level 5 - Expert Skier (Private Lessons Only)

Our programs are dynamic and fun, the way skiing and riding is supposed to be. Please use as a guide only.
  • Skis parallel confidently on groomed Black runs
  • Can do short turns in Black ungroomed terrain (bumps, powder)
  • Can ski at a faster pace on all Black runs and in any condition

Terrain: Skis Blue/Black Terrain on all-mountain areas
Goal: Experimenting with different turn shapes on all terrain and working towards instructor certification

Snowboarding Levels

Discover Snowboarding - First Time Rider

First Time Rider (Discover Snowboarding) Our programs are dynamic and fun, the way skiing and riding is supposed to be. Please use as a guide only.

  • Welcome to the Sport of Snowboarding!
  • Never ridden before

Terrain: Easy Acres or Green Terrain.
Goal: Speed control through side slipping on your toe or heel edge.

Mount Washington Snow School Discover Skiing

Level 1 - Beginner Rider

Beginner Rider Our programs are dynamic and fun, the way skiing and riding is supposed to be. Please use as a guide only.

  • Has ridden once before
  • Can side slip easily with direction across on the easiest of Green runs. (ie. power pendulum)

Terrain: Easy Acres or Green Terrain.
Goal: To be able to link toe and heel edge turns

Level 2 - Novice Rider

Novice Rider Our programs are dynamic and fun, the way skiing and riding is supposed to be. Please use as a guide only.

  • Can confidently link turns on all Green runs

Terrain: Rides Green and Blue Terrain in Easy Acres and the Hawk Chair
Goal: To confidently ride on all Blue runs while linking turns. Experiment with the Beginner Park.

Level 3 - Intermediate Rider

Intermediate Rider Our programs are dynamic and fun, the way skiing and riding is supposed to be. Please use as a guide only.

  • Can do fluid linked turns on blue runs at moderate speeds
  • Consolidating skills

Terrain: Rides Blue Terrain on the Hawk and Whiskey Chairs
Goal: To get more performance from the board while exploring more challenging terrain. To learn basic freestyle mechanics. Become comfortable in the Beginner Park.

Level 4 - Advanced Rider

Advanced Rider Our programs are dynamic and fun, the way skiing and riding is supposed to be. Please use as a guide only.

  • Aggressive riding on all Blue runs
  • Consolidating and refining skills
  • Likes to explore steeper and varied terrain

Terrain: Rides Blue and Black Terrain on Eagle and Sunrise Chairs
Goal: To ride switch on Blue terrain. Venture into Advanced Park, moguls and challenging terrain.

Level 5 - Expert Rider

Our programs are dynamic and fun, the way skiing and riding is supposed to be. Please use as a guide only.

  • Riding Black runs and Advanced park.
  • Refining and creating variation with skill.

Terrain: Rides Blue and Black Terrain on Eagle, Outback and Sunrise Chairs
Goal: To adapt to all terrain and experiment with speed, turn shape and new tricks. Become comfortable with Advanced Park and working towards Instructor Certification.

Know Before You Go

Reservations are strongly encouraged. Please go online to mountwashington.ca to book or call (250) 338-1386 ext 384, to speak with a lesson specialist. Class sizes are limited to ensure fun and safety

Know before you go! Prepare to make the most of your time with us on the snow.
  • Allow a minimum of 1.25 hours between your arrival in the resort or departing your condo and the lesson start time (i.e. for a 9 am lesson, plan to arrive by 8 am).
  • If you already have equipment please proceed directly to the outdoor lesson meeting areas. If you require a pass please visit the Ticket Windows outside of the Alpine Lodge.
  • You are responsible for supervising your child (4+ years) prior to meeting the instructor on the snow 10 minutes prior to the scheduled lesson start time.
  • Please be aware that all lessons start promptly at the scheduled start time regardless of weather conditions or reduced lift operations. There are no refunds for missed lessons.
  • Consider checking in the night before! On nights that the resort is open for night skiing, you are welcome to visit us in the Experience Centre until 8 pm.
  • You are responsible for supervising your child (4yr +) prior to meeting the instructor on the snow 10 minutes prior to the scheduled lesson start time.
  • Please be aware that all lessons start promptly at the scheduled start time regardless of weather conditions or reduced lift operations. There are no refunds for missed lessons.
  • You are responsible for meeting your child in the assigned meeting place outside Mountain Kids. Mount Washington is responsible for supervising your child during scheduled lesson times only. Tots will not be released on their own and you may be charged for additional care.
Knowing your reservation number will speed up the check-in process. If possible, please also have this handy upon arrival. Thanks for choosing to visit us at the Mount Washington Snow School! We look forward to welcoming you on the snow you soon.

Lesson Cancellation Policy

  • All lessons must be paid in full at the time of booking.
  • Lessons can be cancelled or rescheduled more than 48 hours in advance. Please call the Snow School at 250-338-1386 ext. 384 or email cancellations@mountwashington.ca.
  • There are no refunds or changes allowed within 48 hours of the lesson time unless due to a medical issue or illness.
  • No refunds will be issued due to weather conditions.
  • Guests who are late for their lessons will not be able to join. We will do our best to rebook for later that day.
Information & Waivers
PRINTABLE WAIVER
Print waiver in colour, black and white copies will NOT be accepted.
FAQ's
What happens to my Bike Pass if the Resort does not open or is closed part way through the season due to the Covid-19 pandemic?
A)   The Mt. Washington Bike Park opens for the season Saturday, June 27, 2020. Season passes are valid for the duration of the season purchased for, regardless of the actual season end date, as opening and closing dates are planned but not guaranteed.  If extreme circumstances do arise resulting in an unexpected closure of the resort, Bike Pass Holder policies will be reassessed and communicated as such.

LEVEL DESCRIPTIONS

Not sure about what level you're riding at? Please review our LEVEL Description page to get a better idea of where your riding is at and what course or camp is the best fit for you.

Eco Values Mount washington

Alpine Cam

Tube Cam

Nordic Cam