Prepare For Your Lesson

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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 Ski & Snowboard 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 rentgear if needed.
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Our Commitment To Safety

Click here for the most up to date information on our safety protocols.
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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 child lessons. Half Day and Bundled AM / PM lessons will 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. 

What to Bring

  • Face covering: Face coverings are not required during lessons, in gondolas, or indoor spaces at this time. However, face coverings are still required on busses and shuttles. 
  • Helmet: The use of helmets is strongly recommended. Children age 14 and under must wear a winter sport protective helmet while participating in ski & ride school, subject to local regulations. In addition, children and teens under age 18 who participate in designated children's classes or programs must wear a helmet. Rental helmets are available at our children's ski school locations for your convenience.
  • Warm clothes including water-resistant outerwear, warm calf-high socks, and gloves or mittens.
  • Goggles or sunglasses
  • Sunscreen is recommended, even on cloudy days.
  • Don’t have your own gear? Rent with Wilmot and let our experts fit you with the best boots, skis or snowboard for your best day on the mountain.

Where to Go

  • 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.
    • Participants in Adult Groups and Private lessons will pick up their rentals at the Main Rental building, located downstairs in from Walt's Tavern.
    • Youth lesson participants will pick up their rentals:
      •  Monday-Friday: Main Rental building, located downstairs in from Walt's Tavern.
      •  Saturday/Sunday/Peak: Ski School Rental building, located out front of the Ski & Ride School building.
    • Lesson participants should check in at the Ski & Ride School before going to get their rental equipment.

WHERE TO CHECK-IN

  • Adult Group Lessons
    • Location: Ski & Ride School Building - back side of building
      • Come to the Ski & Ride School building at the south end of the parking lot.
      • From the Ski & Ride School Admin door, continue around the side of the building to the back
    • AM Check In: 9:00a – 9:15a
    • PM Check In: 12:30p – 12:45p

  • Youth Group Lessons
    • Location: Ski & Ride School Building - back side of building
      • Come to the Ski & Ride School building at the south end of the parking lot.
      • From the Ski & Ride School Admin door, continue around the side of the building to the back
    • AM Check in: 8:30a – 9:15am, rental pick up from 8:00a – 8:45a
    • PM Check in: 12:00p – 12:45p, rental pick up from 10:30a – 12:15p

  • Private Lessons
    • Location: Ski & Ride School Building - Ski & Ride School Admin
      • Come to the Ski & Ride School building at the south end of the parking lot.
      • Enter the Ski & Ride School main door and check in at the Admin desk.
    • Check in: at least 15 minutes before scheduled lesson time

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)

What ski and ride school offerings will you provide this year at your resorts?
We are pleased to be resuming more ski and ride school programs this season, including those for younger children. Specifics can be found on our ski and ride school page.

 

Will face coverings be required in ski and ride school this season?
No. Face coverings are not required to ski and ride, or in gondolas or indoor spaces at this time, unless required by local public health or CDC designation. This includes restaurants, lodging properties, restrooms, retail and rental locations, and base areas. However, face coverings are still required on buses and shuttles.

 

What is the cancellation and refund policy for Ski & Ride School lessons?
Changes or cancellations can be made in advance of your lesson date by contacting the Ski & Ride School conducting your lesson. Any Ski & Ride School product that is cancelled prior to 24 hours of the lesson start time will be issued a full refund. Any Ski & Ride School product that is cancelled within 24 hours of the lesson start time will be charged a cancellation fee.

For more information on refunds and cancellations, please refer to the Ski & Ride School Terms of Sale. 

Will you adjust this policy if the situation with COVID-19 changes?
All of our COVID-19 safety protocols are subject to change, however, this is our current policy.

 

Are you requiring your staff to be vaccinated?
Yes. Vail Resorts requires all employees to be vaccinated for COVID-19.

 

Will Vail Resorts require proof of vaccination to enter or dine at restaurants?
No. As of March 12, we do not require proof of vaccination for guests to access any area of the resort, including dining and ski and ride school.

Yes, a a lift ticket or season pass is required for all lessons.
Yes, a helmet is required for all lessons. Helmets are available onsite for rent or purchase.
Parents are encouraged to leave their child with the instructor in order to have the full attention of the child during the lesson. If you would like to briefly watch the beginning of the lesson, please stay on the opposite side of the fence and watch from a distance. Hanging out at the base or in the lodge for the entire lesson will not be permitted.
Yes, we rent ski boots, skis and poles OR snowboard and snowboard boots. Helmets are also available for rent.  Purchase as add-ons with your lesson.
No, there is no make up dates if your child can not make their lesson. The lessons are date specific and nonrefundable. If Wilmot Mountain closes for any reason, we will contact you with options and next steps.

Lesson reschedules/cancellations must be received via email no later than 48 hours prior to lesson start time. Any cancellation made less than 48 hours prior to lesson will be charged a 50% late cancellation fee. Lessons not cancelled prior to lesson start time will not be eligible for any refund.

For Multiweek/multiday lessons this policy applies to the first day of lessons.

Email: WilmotSkiSchool@vailresorts.com

When you are signing up for a lessons, we will ask what level skier/snowboarder you are. This helps us put you with the right instructor and class for your needs. If you aren’t sure which level your child is, or they are in between levels, please choose a lower level. Our trained instructors will move them up when they are ready.

Ski

Level 0 - First Timer: New to the sport, Never tried it before

Level 1 - Beginner: Spent a few hours on the learning hill, Can successfully put on and take off equipment, Can move around on flat terrain, Comfortable gliding and stopping on easiest learning terrain, Can sometimes make simple direction changes while sliding

Level 2 - Strong Beginner: Comfortable gliding and making turns on beginner terrain, Can make "wedge turns" easily and may even begin parallel turns

Level 3 - Intermediate: Successfully loads and unloads chairlift, Can ski parallel with occasional wedge, Can safely and confidently complete all green terrain and some blue terrain

Level 4 - Strong Intermediate: Can ski parallel consistently and confidently, Can begin to vary size and types of turns, Can safely and confidently complete all beginner and intermediate terrain

Level 5 and 6 - Advanced: Comfortable on variable snow conditions, Comfortable using poles to link turns, Can safely and confidently ski all blue terrain and some advanced terrain

Snowboard

Level 0 - First Timer: New to the sport, Never tried it before

Level 1 - Beginner: Spent a few hours on the learning hill, Can successfully put on and take off equipment, Can move around on flat terrain, Comfortable gliding and stopping on easiest learning terrain, Can sometimes make simple direction changes while sliding

Level 2 - Strong Beginner: Comfortable gliding and making turns on beginner terrain, Can link turn heel to toe easily

Level 3 - Intermediate: Successfully loads and unloads chairlift Board link heel to toe turns, Can safely and confidently complete all green terrain and some blue terrain

Level 4 - Strong Intermediate: Board link heel to toe turns, Can begin to vary size and types of turns, Can safely and confidently complete all beginner and intermediate terrain

Level 5 and 6 - Advanced: Comfortable on variable snow conditions, Can safely and confidently ski all blue terrain and some advanced terrain