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Prepare For Your Lesson

Arriving prepared for your lesson is key to maximizing your day on the slopes with your instructor. Below you can find information on where to go, what to expect, and what to bring.

 

WHERE TO GO

On your first day of lessons, please check-in at least 30 minutes before the start of your lesson. If you arrive late and cannot complete check-in prior to the check-in end time, we may not be able to accommodate you in a lesson for that day. If you are renting equipment and will need to pick it up on the morning of your lesson, please arrive at least an hour before the start of your lesson.


WHERE TO PICK UPTICKETS & RENTAL EQUIPMENT:

Pick up tickets and rentals at least one hour prior to your first lesson at any of the following Snow School Sales locations.

Snow School Sales Locations Dates Hours
Base of Whistler Mountain
Next to the Village Gondola
Open 7 days a week
November 24, 2022 - April 16, 2023
April 17, 2023 - April 23, 2023
April 24, 2023 - May 7, 2023
8:00am - 5:00pm
8:30am - 5:00pm
9:30am - 5:00pm
Blackcomb Daylodge
Base of Blackcomb Mountain
Open 7 days a week
November 24, 2022 - April 16, 2023 8:00am - 5:00pm
Creekside
Open 7 days a week
November 24, 2022 - April 16, 2023 8:00am - 5:00pm
 

WHERE TO CHECK-IN FOR LESSONS:

The lesson location, as selected at the time of booking, will be listed on your confirmation email. You must check-in for the lesson at the location where your lesson is booked. If you arrive at the incorrect location, your reserved lesson may not be available. Check your confirmation email for your lesson location, look for the flags, tents or signage to guide you, or ask an employee for assistance. Please contact us in advance if your lesson needs to be moved.

  • Adult Group Lessons:
    • Whistler Village Beginner (Ski and Snowboard): Meet at the Ultimate Base tents in Skiers Plaza near the base of Fitzsimmons Chair at 9:30am, or 12:30pm for a PM lesson
    • Whistler Alpine Advanced (Ski and Snowboard): Meet at the Ultimate Alpine flags at the Top of Whistler Village Gondola at 9:45am
    • Blackcomb Village Beginner (Ski only): Meet at the Ultimate Base tent at Blackcomb Base near the base of Blackcomb Gondola at 9:30am
    • Blackcomb Alpine Advanced (Ski only): Meet at the Ultimate Alpine flags at the top of Blackcomb Gondola at 9:45am
  • Teen Group Lessons (13-18):
    • All lessons meet on the Patio of Garibaldi Lift Company (GLC) in Skiers Plaza at 8:15am
  • Child Group Lessons (3-12)
    • Whistler Village Kids (Ski and Snowboard daily): Meet outside Whistler Kids at the base of Whistler Village Gondola at 8:30am
    • Blackcomb Kids (Ski daily, and Ski Adventure Camp): Meet outside Whistler Kids at Blackcomb at the base of Magic Chair at 8:30am
    • Creekside Kids (Ski daily, and Ski Adventure Camp): Meet outside Whistler Kids at Creekside across from Dusty’s at 8:30am
  • Private Lessons (Until April 16):
    • Whistler Village - Private Lesson tent in Whistler Skiers Plaza at the base of Fitzsimmons Chair
    • Blackcomb Base - Private Lesson tent next to Snow School hut at the Base of Blackcomb Gondola
    • Private lesson meeting times: Full Day: 9am, Morning Lesson: 8:45am, Afternoon Lesson: 12:30pm
  • Private Lessons (April 17 - May 7):
    • Whistler Village only - Private Lesson tent in Whistler Skiers Plaza at the base of Excalibur Gondola
    • Private lesson meeting times: Full Day and Morning Lesson: 10am
  • Specialty Lessons
    • Extremely Canadian - Steeps Ski/Snowboard Camps at Whistler Village: Meet on the EBCB Patio at the base of Whistler Village Gondola at 8:15am
    • Extremely Canadian - Backcountry Tours: Meet at the Extremely Canadian desk inside the Carleton Lodge at 8am
    • Extremely Canadian - Avalanche Safety Training courses: Meet outside the Oakley Store in the Carleton Lodge at 8am
    • Women’s Ski Camp: Meet on the Merlin’s patio at Blackcomb at 9am
    • Showcase Women’s Snowboard Camp: Meet outside the Showcase store across from lululemon at 9am

VIEW RESORT MAPS

 

What To Expect

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Prep For The Lesson

Best pricing is available online, in advance. To book a group lesson within 24 hours or a private lesson within 48 hours, please visit one of our Snow School sales locations or call ahead. Our cancellation policy is available here. Make sure all members of your group have a pass or lift ticket and rent gear if needed.

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Early Is On Time

Arrive 30 minutes before the lesson to allow time for check-in. If you or your child are picking up rental gear, arrive 60 minutes early.

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Check-In For The Day

Check-in for the lesson at the location or base area you selected while booking. 

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Meet Our World-Class Instructors

All group lessons will be sorted by ability level and child lessons will be sorted by age. The instructor will determine a plan for the day based on individual needs or group goals. 

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CONQUER THE MOUNTAIN

World-class instructors will help all participants have fun exploring more of the mountain by practicing new techniques at their own pace. All full day lessons will include a break for lunch, with food provided only for full day child lessons. Half day lessons do not include lunch.

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PICK UP YOUR ADVENTURER

If you are dropping off a child, make sure to confirm location and pick-up time. The instructor will provide a summary of their lesson and your child's progress at pick-up. 

 

Gratuities: Instructor gratuity is at your discretion. Please note, a 15-20% gratuity based on the cost of the lesson will make your instructor feel very appreciated and valued. 

Your Path To Learning

HERE IS WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT DURING YOUR THREE LESSONS
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Getting Ready

Learn how to put on (and take off) all your equipment and get comfortable standing on flat terrain before you progress to gradual inclines.

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Ride The Magic Carpets

Build your foundational skills with your instructor. Hone your balance, practice starting and stopping, and learn how to safely ride the magic carpet. A magic carpet is like a moving sidewalk at the airport, at the resort it will carry you up a gentle slope.

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Learning Zone Skills

Practice makes perfect in the Learning Zone! Here you will learn how to control the direction of your skis/snowboard by making turns and playing on the gentle slope.

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Chair Lift To New Terrain

You're ready to access new runs! Your instructor will provide guidance on how to ride the chair lift safely, and how to control your speed and turns on the slopes.

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Discover The Mountain

Now that you have learned the basics, you are ready to go play, discover your independence, and explore more of the mountain with friends and family! Have fun skiing or snowboarding green terrain, seeing beautiful views, and creating new memories this winter.

"We were able to put my son in a full-day snowboard lesson for the first time, and then go and enjoy the slopes ourselves. He enjoyed it so much and it was great peace-of-mind knowing he was taken care of while I was skiing."
Guest - Whistler Blackcomb Snow School

What Level am I?

We know it can be difficult to decide which lesson level is best for you. Below is a description of all the skiing and snowboarding levels to help you decide what level you are at before you book your lesson.

 

Skiing Snowboarding
First Timer

First time skiing.

Learning outcomes for this lesson will range from becoming familiar with the equipment and snow to learning how to stop in a wedge on gentle terrain.

First time snowboarding.

Learning outcomes for this lesson will range from becoming familiar with the equipment and snow to learning how to slide and stop on gentle terrain.

Beginner

1+ day(s) of skiing experience. Abilities range from stopping in a wedge on gentle terrain to linking wedge turns on easy green terrain.

Learning objectives in this lesson range from learning to make turns to matching skis parallel at the end of your turns all on easy green terrain.

1+ day(s) snowboarding experience. Abilities range from sliding and stopping on gentle terrain to linking turns on easy green terrain.

Learning objectives in this lesson range from controlling your speed throughout turns on easy green terrain to exploring different beginner runs across the mountain.

Intermediate

Ability ranges from matching skis parallel at the end of the turn on green terrain to consistent parallel skiing on blue terrain.

Learning objectives in this lesson will range from learning to consistently make parallel turns on green terrain to learning how to make various turn sizes on blue and easy black terrain.

Abilities range from consistently making linked turns on all green terrain to venturing into easier blue terrain.

Learning objectives in this lesson will include continuing to consistently link turns on green terrain, learning how to make dynamic turns on blue terrain, learning how to ride switch, introducing carved turns, venturing into the easiest ungroomed terrain, and introducing freestyle.

Advanced

Ability ranges from making a variety of turn sizes on all blue and easy black terrain to making skidded and carved turns on all terrain (trees, moguls, ungroomed, and groomed).

Learning outcomes in this lesson will range from selecting proper mountain tactics, intro to carving, moguls, and variable terrain, and skill enhancement for better performance and efficiency.

Abilities range from making a variety of turn sizes on all blue and easy black terrain to making skidded and carved turns on all terrain (trees, moguls, ungroomed, and groomed).

Learning outcomes in this lesson will range from selecting proper mountain tactics, freestyle enhancement, moguls and variable terrain, and skill enhancement for better performance and efficiency.

What Level am I?

We know it can be difficult to decide which lesson level is best for you. Below is a description of all the skiing and snowboarding levels to help you decide what level you are at before you book your lesson.

 

Skiing Snowboarding
First Timer

First time skiing.

Learning outcomes for this lesson will range from becoming familiar with the equipment and snow to learning how to stop in a wedge on gentle terrain.

First time snowboarding.

Learning outcomes for this lesson will range from becoming familiar with the equipment and snow to learning how to slide and stop on gentle terrain.

Beginner

1+ day(s) of skiing experience. Abilities range from stopping in a wedge on gentle terrain to linking wedge turns on easy green terrain.

Learning objectives in this lesson range from learning to make turns to matching skis parallel at the end of your turns all on easy green terrain.

1+ day(s) snowboarding experience. Abilities range from sliding and stopping on gentle terrain to linking turns on easy green terrain.

Learning objectives in this lesson range from controlling your speed throughout turns on easy green terrain to exploring different beginner runs across the mountain.

Intermediate

Ability ranges from matching skis parallel at the end of the turn on green terrain to consistent parallel skiing on blue terrain.

Learning objectives in this lesson will range from learning to consistently make parallel turns on green terrain to learning how to make various turn sizes on blue and easy black terrain.

Abilities range from consistently making linked turns on all green terrain to venturing into easier blue terrain.

Learning objectives in this lesson will include continuing to consistently link turns on green terrain, learning how to make dynamic turns on blue terrain, learning how to ride switch, introducing carved turns, venturing into the easiest ungroomed terrain, and introducing freestyle.

Advanced

Ability ranges from making a variety of turn sizes on all blue and easy black terrain to making skidded and carved turns on all terrain (trees, moguls, ungroomed, and groomed).

Learning outcomes in this lesson will range from selecting proper mountain tactics, intro to carving, moguls, and variable terrain, and skill enhancement for better performance and efficiency.

Abilities range from making a variety of turn sizes on all blue and easy black terrain to making skidded and carved turns on all terrain (trees, moguls, ungroomed, and groomed).

Learning outcomes in this lesson will range from selecting proper mountain tactics, freestyle enhancement, moguls and variable terrain, and skill enhancement for better performance and efficiency.

Snow School FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

What ski and snowboard lesson offerings will you provide this year at your resorts?
We are pleased to offer a range of ski and snowboard programming including group and private lessons as well as season long and specialty programs. Specific details can be found on our Snow School pages.

 

When will season long programs be available for enrollment?  
Season long programs will be available for registration by mid-September. 

 

What is included with a ski or snowboard lesson?  
Each lesson will include professional instruction from one of our instructors. Full day lessons will include a break for lunch, and full day group lessons for children will include lunch. Participants will be responsible for bringing or purchasing their own food in private lessons, group lessons for adults, and season long and specialty lessons for children.

 

Do lessons Include rentals and lift tickets? 
No, lessons do not include lift tickets or rentals. These items must be purchased separately, and all lessons require a valid lift ticket. While purchasing a group lesson, you can add-on lift tickets and rentals at a discounted rate. You may bring your own equipment. Passes are available to purchase here. Buy in advance and online for the best rates. 

 

What should I bring to my lesson?  
Weather conditions will vary and remember you will spend the day outside! We recommend dressing in layers including warm clothes, googles/sunglasses and sunscreen. For complete details on what to bring and where to go, read more here.  

 

What if I have special needs or requests, e.g. Drug or Food Allergies? 
While we do our best to accommodate dietary needs and offer different options whenever possible, severe allergy concerns or specific circumstances would be best discussed with the school staff directly prior to visiting. 

 

Will face coverings be required in Snow School this season?
No. In accordance with the BC Provincial Health Order, Face coverings are not required in indoor settings, including in our gondolas, restaurants, lodging properties, restrooms, retail and rental locations, and public transportation.

 

What is the cancellation and refund policy for Snow School lessons? 
Changes or cancellations can be made in advance of your lesson date by contacting the Snow School directly. Any Snow School group or private lesson product that is cancelled prior to 48 hours of the lesson start time will be issued a full refund. Group or private lesson cancellations within 48 hours of the lesson start time will be charged a cancellation fee equal to 50% of the cost of the lesson in the case of a single day reservation.

Lessons are never cancelled due to weather while the resort is operational. For more detailed information on refunds and cancellations, please refer to the Terms of Sale