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Snowsports School

Learning can be big time fun. Whether it's making your first parallel turn or completing a full twist off a rail, nothing stokes the sense of adventure quite like improving your mastery of the snow. Contact Us 406-995-5743

To help you make big leaps, Big Sky has created one of the finest Snowsports Schools in America. Our diverse staff of instructors — all certified by Professional Ski Instructors of America — and alpine guides bring a wealth of knowledge and skill with a focus on the enjoyment of your experience.

Adult or child, group or private, ski or board, our staff can help you advance and truly experience the Biggest Skiing in America®.

Skill Levels

To ensure you land in the appropriate class, we use the following criteria.

Skier Skill Levels
Level 1
Turtle		 First time on skis.
Level 1
Bear		 Controls speed and stops with wedge on surface lifts. 
Level 2
Beaver		 Links controlled wedge turns on gentle green terrain. Ready for the chairlift.
Level 3
Moose		 Variety of green terrain including chairlifts. Can link wedge turns in a variety of turn sizes and shapes.
Level 4
Porcupine		 Even the most difficult green terrain. Turns by using wedge through part of the turn, but matches skis only after the fall line.
Level 5
Raccoon		 All green and easy blue terrain. Begins turning by using a wedge and matches skis in or just before the fall line. Skis all groomed green terrain parallel.
Level 6
Owl		 Variety of blue terrain. Skis parallel on all groomed terrain, may use a slight opening of the skis to begin turn on off-groomed blue terrain.
Level 7
Wolf		 All blue groomed and easier black terrain.  Strong parallel turn with consistent turn shape. 
Level 8/9
Rabbit		 All terrain. Uses ski design to make parallel turns; uses poles effectively; is comfortable exploring a variety of terrain including ungroomed slopes on easier black terrain. Skis a dynamic parallel turn in all terrain. 
Snowboarder Skill Levels
Level 1
Grasshopper		 Never snowboarded before.
Level 2
Brook Trout		 Comfortable sliding downhill on heel edge (heel side slip).
Level 3
Bobcat		 Comfortable sliding downhill on heel and toe edges (heel and toe side slip). Ready for first turns.
Level 4
Bald Eagle		 Comfortable linking turns (toe to heel and heel to toe) on easy green runs.
Level 5
Wolverine		 Consistently linking turns on all green runs and easy blues.
Level 6
Mountain Goat		 Comfortable on easy black terrain. 

Registration

Registration for group lessons takes place at the Snowsports School located in Snowcrest Lodge above ticket sales, on the afternoon before or the day of lessons. See above to determine the appropriate lesson level. Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to lesson for registration or 1 hour prior if equipment rental is needed, please allow more time if it is a holiday week. This will allow children and adults to coordinate their equipment, adjust to their surroundings and for the lesson to start on time. Office hours are 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Reservations are not needed for group lessons.

All pricing shown within this online section is for lessons only. Lift tickets for children 10 and are free with paying adult. Lift tickets are required during lessons. Rental gear can be obtained through our rental shop for an additional fee. There is a 10% discount for purchasing 3+ days of group lessons. Gratuities are not included.


Big Features


>Adaptive Programs with Eagle Mount Therapeutic Recreation
>Guided Snowshoe Tours

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