Please keep in mind that the Ski Bowl terrain is more challenging than other 'beginner' hills that students may be exposed to on Mt. Hood or elsewhere. We want every child to have an experience that builds confidence and encourages them to stick with skiing and snowboarding for life. We will always error on the side of caution when associating a child with a class level, and allow them to shift to a more advanced class if appropriate for their level.
Please be realistic about your child’s ability. If you have questions about your child’s ability, then please contact our registrar with a phone conversation. She will help you place your child in the right class. Most of our classes are all day because we believe no one learns to ski or snowboard in an hour and a half lesson, at least not well.
You will register your child for class online. Then expect a phone call from our registrar. There must be a conversation before your visit. You are responsible for getting your child to class on time. Please take into consideration heavy traffic and other obstacles.
Arrival time is 9:30-9:45 for the morning sessions and 12:30-12:45. Classes start later than your arrival time for many reasons. If you are showing up after this time period, you are considered late for class.
Late Student policy: we will decide if the student can be placed in the class they were attending with the minimal disruption.
Why are most of our classes full day lesson? We offer full day lessons because no one learns to ski/snowboard in an hour. When a student is takes an hour long class, they are usually leaving at their maximum frustration level. The full day allows them to process the learning curve and have a successful day.
Beginner; Level 1 & 2 (4-13 years old)
Our level 1 and 2 classes are designed for the beginner skier/snowboarder, or for students who are still trying to master a stop. We offer both a full-day lesson and a half day parent pal lesson to accommodate children of different ages and abilities. A full day is for student 6 and up that want to participate in a ski/snowboard lesson. (Contact registrar if you have a younger student who wants to participate in a full day. They must be able to participate in a group lesson.)
The student will learn:
-how to put on and take off their skis
-side step and duck walk on an incline
-gliding to a stop and a mid glide wedge stop
-introduction to turning
-In a full day lesson the student is moved as they are able to master the skis asked of them.
Full day lesson is $250 for 4 hours on instruction and unrestricted student lift ticket.
Intro to skiing; Parent pal (ages 4-6) lesson 1.5 hours long $150
The student and parent will receive a rope tow pass. Parents must accommodate the student at all times. Parent must be a good listener, be able to take direction, and follow protocol. This is not a beginner class for the parent to start skiing with the student. Parent does not have to have ski equipment on to participate. Students learn all that is needed for our level 1 and 2. This is truly an intro to skiing. To progress and master skills, I recommend our full day lessons. I strongly encourage parent/student teams to continue practicing after their class, so you are not leaving when they are frustrated.
Students usually progress into the next level in one or two lessons depending on the student’s ability to process information and physical strength and if the parent does not overly help the student. Parent are there to help but not to enable. In other words, please allow your child to do the hard tasks of walking and gliding by themselves or it will lengthen their learning curve.
Level 3 (4-13 years old) is a All day lesson, 4 hours of instruction for $250
Level 3 skiers must be able to stop by themselves mid hill, not a gliding stop, and have an understanding of a turn. This level practices at our private rope tow. As their confidence and skill level progresses, they gain more distance up the rope tow. This level is all about practicing mid hill stops, and creating big slalom turns. We set up poles for the students to practice turning around. This class is designed to gain confidence. No parent involvement is needed for this class. It is an all day class. Includes lift ticket. This is a 4 hour lesson.
Please keep in mind that the Ski Bowl terrain is more challenging than other 'beginner' hills that students may be exposed to on Mt. Hood. We spend extra time fine tuning skills at our rope tow to match our steep terrain. Our instructors are looking for a confident skier or snowboarder with their skills before taking the lift. This is so they have more terrain available to them.
Level 4
A Group (4-13 years old)is a All day lesson, 4 hours of instruction for $250
At level 4, students are introduced to the chair and begin to complete 'Easy' or 'Green' runs such as High Road, Low Road and Easy Street. Student must have a solid independent mid hill stop and turns to be in this class. Students will learn more edge control, balancing over their boots, and they will start to bring their skis together coming across the mountain. Includes unrestricted lift ticket. This is a 4 hour lesson.
If you are not sure if this is the right class for your child please contact our registrar. Ski bowl’s terrain is steeper than most resorts on Mt Hood. Student and parent will receive lift tickets for the class.
Level 4
B Group
(4-13 years old)is a All day lesson, 4 hours of instruction for $250
Student must be a confident green run skier. Student must know how to stop mid hill and make turns. Student must be able to ride the lift alone or with another student. Student will be introduced to blue runs in this class. Student will learn edge control, rotation of the body while making turns, and they will be learning to bring skis together while coming across the mountain. Includes an unrestricted lift ticket for the day. This is a 4 hour lesson.
If you are not sure if this is the right class for your child please contact our registrar. Ski bowl’s terrain is steeper than most resorts on Mt Hood. If you have not skied Ski Bowl before, then your beginner skier might not be ready for the chair at our resort.
Level 5
(4-13 years old)is a All day lesson, 4 hours of instruction for $250
Level 5, students can ski confidently on all green and blue runs. They must be in an almost parallel turn. No wide wedge skiers. Their balance is over their boots and they are starting to rotate their body with each turn. These skiers are working on perfecting form while experiencing the whole mountain. They will be introduced to black runs. Student must be able to ride the lift alone or with another student. Includes an unrestricted lift ticket. This is a 4 hour lesson.
Enthusiast Package is $1000 until December 31st
The Enthusiast package was designed for the family who wants to commit to winter, and a season of learning how to ski or snowboard. Since it takes several lessons to achieve confidence on the slopes, we keep track of the student’s progress, so the student can build onto their skill levels. The student is able to take as many lessons as possible with us during our season. We are a weekend ski school only and start lessons the first weekend in January until the last weekend in March. This package is good for the beginner to the expert skier or snowboarder. The package will come with a season pass for the student and unlimited lessons. This package will be available until December 31, 2024. This package is nonrefundable. The package pays for itself in 4 lessons. Rentals are not included. The parent gets one free lesson with us which does not include lift ticket. The parent may take more lesson with us at a reduced rate. Check with the registrar for information and pricing of adult lessons with the enthusiast package. This package also includes a Ski Bowl season pass for the student only. Season pass must be present every lesson, or a charge for a day pass will have to be purchases.
Snowboarding is a 4-hour lesson for $250
All snowboarding lessons are for students 7 and up. (Unless the student is good at a one wheel or skateboard, then the age can be subjective.) Classes are an all-day lesson which includes the unrestricted lift ticket for the day. The lesson is a group lesson based on ability. Rentals are not included. This allows the student to either build on skills they have or start the learning process. Invest in a season and get the most skills with our Enthusiast package. Come ride with us and perfect those skills.
Adult lessons are $150 and include a lift ticket
You are never too old to have a lesson! Skiing and snowboarding are skill-based sports that require the right amount of training to make it look and feel effortless. Take a lesson to refine skills and use less energy on the slopes. Adult lessons are for the beginner to people working on improving skills. The lesson includes an unrestricted lift ticket for the day, and a 1 1/2-hour lesson. Rentals are not included. Beginner groups usually go out in the morning a half hour after the students go out. More advanced lessons go out in the afternoon after the students go out. Depending on demand and staffing, we might have the lessons all go out in the morning. Who takes lessons? Parents wanting to learn how to ski. Parents who might not have been on their ski or snowboard for a very long time. Parents looking to tune up skills to use less energy on the hill. Parents who want to keep up with their children in lessons.
Mogul busters does offer class levels that can accommodate experienced skiers and snowboarders. These classes are formed out of our Level 4 and Level 5 skier and boarders. These advanced classes cannot be initially registered for. This ensures that we do not accelerate a child's experience past their ability. If you believe that your child could perform at an advanced level upon their first lesson, then please contact our registrar.
We expect our advanced skiers and riders to be fluent" in the mountain responsibility codes, be confident on all levels of terrain up to Black Diamonds and be in a parallel stance while skiing instead of relying on wedge turns and techniques.