If you or someone in your family is a new to skiing or snowboarding, then you’ve probably considered ski lessons before. While we can’t definitively say what is right for you, the team at ASO Mammoth has plenty of experience riding Mammoth Mountain and being a part of the community here, so we’ve put together a quick guide to help you choose the lessons that are right for you. Check it out below!
Don’t Be Afraid to Take Lessons
There is always going to be the temptation to save some money and skip lessons, especially if you have an experienced family member or friend who says they can teach you. While it may seem like the smart move to learn on the go, you’re wasting a lift ticket and an entire day if you try to learn on your own and it doesn’t work when you could have had a structured lesson with a professional instructor.
Plus, professional ski and snowboard instructors can help you learn proper techniques earlier on and give you helpful information about the mountain you’re on, which means your riding progresses faster.
Or to Keep Taking Lessons
At face value it seems like taking lessons after you know how to ride is a waste of money, but intermediate and even expert riders use lessons to propel their abilities every season.
Whether you’re looking for an instructor to teach you some methods and drills to help you continue progressing or you want someone to show you terrain and features you never knew existed on your favorite mountain, lessons are a great tool to take advantage of. If you want to make sure that you get your time and money’s worth out of a lesson, do some research ahead of time and find a popular instructor and schedule your lesson with them.
Group lessons are also a great way to meet new people with a similar skill level. Mountains all over the country offer season long lessons that meet multiple times throughout the season, so if you’re looking for a reason to get a group of friends together every week or want to make some new friends on the mountain look into seasonal lessons.
But What About Mammoth?
So what about taking lessons at Mammoth Mountain? Mammoth offers kids group lessons, adult (13+) group lessons, private lessons, and even adaptive lessons for children and adults with disabilities.
You should always try to book your lessons ahead of time, but especially at Mammoth Mountain as many people will be trying to take advantage of the world class instructors and great snow. Accordingly, you should also arrive at the mountain an hour early before your lesson to make sure you have plenty of time to get your gear together. If you were unable to pick up your rentals the day before your lesson, you will need to give yourself more time to get through lines and fitted.
If you’re signing children up for ski lessons, there are several rules you must be aware of beforehand. While it’s up to you to make sure all children are fed and properly hydrated for the altitude before their lesson, Mammoth requires that children under 13 wear helmets during all lessons. Children must also have some form of eye protection, a lesson ticket, and a separate lift ticket. Lastly, remember that UV rays bounce off of the snow, so you’ll want to prepare yourself and any children with you by applying sunscreen and that it is common to tip instructors. Of course, if you have any questions about Mammoth Mountain lessons, renting skis and snowboards, or just want to know what’s happening on the mountain, stop by or call ASO Mammoth today and take advantage of discounted rentals when you book online!