Tips for Parents

Do you know your skill level? We can help you figure out your ski or riding level, give you tips for your first time on the mountain, get information on Vail Children's and Adult's Snowsports School, locations and much more.

SAVE TIME! Make a reservation on line for your child's ski or snowboard lessons today.

We wrote the book on mountain fun.

Vail Mountain is home to a host of programs designed to captivate children and teens. And our teachers are life long children's instructors, which mean they've got the experience (and patience) to make sure your children and teens have the time of their lives while improving their skills.

View our kids map and learn where all the fun and adventurous places are located on the mountain. Plus, get information on Vail Children's Snowsports School, locations and much more.

• Children must be 3 years old, potty trained and willing to learn to ski and to participate in ski school.

• Ages 4 and under ski for free. Children's lift tickets start at age 5 and go to age 12.

• Children ages 13 & over are considered adults and pay the adult price.

• The Children's Snowsports School offers packages that include lift, lesson and lunch or lesson and lunch so it could be helpful not to purchase lift tickets for your children if you plan on putting them in Children's Snowsports School.

Registering
If registering the morning of, please allow a minimum of 30-45 minutes prior to lesson start time to pick up tickets and get fitted for rental equipment.

Registration and check-in for the Children's Snowsports School begins at 8:00 a.m. and closes at 5:00 p.m. December 15th through March 31st. Starting opening day through December 14th and April 1st to closing the centers are open 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 pm.  Children are grouped by ability level (beginner, intermediate, advanced) and by age (3-6 and 7-12).

The best time to register is the day before the lesson start date: 11a.m. - noon, or 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. or 4:00 - close.

If you choose not to register in advance on line, you can still save time!

Print out the following forms, Children's Rental Release Form, a Children's Registration Form and General Release Form, fill them out, and bring the completed forms with you when registering your children at Golden Peak or Vail Square.

What to bring
Lunch is included with all full-day programs, ages 3-12. Parents may also give their child additional spending money.

Bring warm, waterproof gloves or mittens, goggles or sunglasses with UV protection, sunscreen, warm jacket, hat, snow pants, and a neck warmer (for colder days). Please label all personal items.

If your child has special food requirements for example: is a vegetarian, severely allergic to peanuts or can only eat Kosher food, we strongly suggest bringing their own food for lunch.

Learn More about PSIA - Professional Ski Instructors of America. Click for more information on Kids Snowsports Guide with a question and answer format that helps to create more awareness and understanding of what ski school lessons can do for your child.

Rentals
The Golden Peak and Vail Square Snowsports Schools offer ski and snowboard equipment rentals and helmet rentals. Our knowledgeable staff will fit your child in the latest equipment. Ski storage is complementary. Boots must be taken home at night. For more information about the Teen rental programs, please call 970-754-3280 for Golden Peak and 970-754-4450 for Vail Square. The alpine and snowboard boots will fit up to a men's size 14, youth skis range from 70 centimeters to 150, and youth snowboards range from 90 centimeters to 161. We highly recommend teens call in advance for proper sizing information or get fitted the day before the lesson starts to assure equipment availability. There is an adult rental shop at Golden Peak and Vail Square if the children's rental shop cannot fit your teen.

New this season - Family Nights at Adventure Ridge!

Family Dinner Theatre

Nature at Night

Movie Night

For more information, call 970-476-9090.