The Bristol Mountain Snowsports School is one of the finest in the country! As a Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) and American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI) Members School, we are committed to staying at the forefront of our profession by investing in technology, facilities, and our professionals. At Bristol Mountain, you'll find our staff of over 200 instructors prepared to teach everything from beginner basics to advanced skills. Our staff believes that lessons extend beyond learning how to ski or snowboard. It’s about making lasting connections with our students, sharing our love for the sport, and the uniqueness Bristol Mountain has to offer.
The Snowsports School provides instruction for skiing, snowboarding, and telemark skiing for all levels -- beginner through experts. Reservations are not required to participate in a class lesson. All you need to do is decide which lesson is right for you. Choose from full or half-day programs for kids, lift and lesson packages for adults, or private lessons or semi-private lessons for the whole family. Class lessons are offered daily through March 18, 2012, weather and terrain permitting.
Junior (ages 4-12) lesson participants meet in the Children's Learning Center (CLC) located in the Sunset Lodge. Register early to avoid missing your preferred lesson time. Registration for CLC lessons is closed 15 minutes prior to all lesson times and frequently sell out at peak times. Supervision is provided from registration until the end of the lesson. Parents must pick up children in the Children's Learning Center immediately following the completion of the lesson.
Adult class lessons (ages 13+) meet at the Snowsports School Meeting Place located between the Comet Express and Sunset Lifts 10-15 minutes prior to the start of each lesson time.
Private lessons (ages 3+) are based on instructor availability. Advance reservations are recommended. Call 585-374-6000.
Learn to Turn! Guaranteed! Recognizing that not all new skiers and snowboarders learn at the same speed, we would like your first ski or snowboard experience to be great. So for all first time skiers and snowboarders, ages 13 and older, we encourage you to take as many lessons as needed to reach your comfort level. Beginner lessons are included with your skier or snowboarder package. Simply show up at the Snowsports School Meeting Place at the next available lesson time and Learn to Turn! Guaranteed!
2011-12 Class Lesson Schedule:
| Weekdays (Ages 4+) |
10:30 am and 12:30 pm |
| Weekends/Holidays (Ages 4+) |
9:00 am, 11:30 am, and 2:00 pm |
| Saturday Evenings (Junior 4-12) |
5:00 pm |
| Evenings (Adults 13+) |
5:00 pm and 7:00 pm |
Prices, lesson times, and instructor availability may change without notice. Call 585-374-6000 for more information.
Multiple and season-long lesson programs are also available. Go to Ski & Snowboard and select Multi-Lesson Programs for programs offered.
Click here for Daily Class Lessons, Private Lessons, and Ski or Snowboard Packages
Ski Ability Levels
Yellow First Time Skier
Level 1. Congratulations! A class lesson equips you with the basic skills to enjoy the sport. This small investment will last a lifetime!
Level 2. You are able to stop on green runs using the wedge or "snowplow" and are able to make direction changes.
Green
Level 3. You are able to stop and link wedge turns on green runs comfortably.
Green and Easy Blue
Level 4. You rely more on turn shape to slow down. Your wedge is getting smaller and at the finish of a turn your skis are running parallel, which is a major milestone!
Blue
Level 5. You are using similar wedge-match to parallel techniques to the level 4 skier but are more comfortable on blue runs.
Level 6. Your wedge (or stem) is nearly gone and you are making open parallel turns on blue runs.
Blue and Easy Black
Level 7. You are able to change turn radius and duration comfortably on blue runs. Pole plants are being used to time turns. Blue and black trails are starting to look skiable.
Black
Level 8. You are comfortable on blue or black trails and can ski in the fall line on easy moguls.
Level 9. You can ski black diamond bumps, steeps, and varied snow conditions comfortably.
Snowboard Ability Levels
Yellow First Time Rider
Level 1. Congratulations on your first snowboarding experience! A class lesson equips you with the basic skills to enjoy the sport. This small investment will last a lifetime!
Green
Level 2. You can perform a skidded traverse on both heel and toe side edges. Turns can be done in both directions with a slight uphill turn to a stop.
Level 3. You can perform a skidded traverse and garlands in both directions with basic linked turns (toe side and heel side) to each direction.
Green and Some Blue
Level 4. You are now able to make turns in both directions with speed control. You are now beginning to link smoother turns while using flexion/extension movement from the hips, knees, and ankles.
Blue
Level 5. You are able to link skidded turns in either direction with good speed control, rhythm, and shape. Varieties of turn shapes make this an important milestone!
Level 6. You are becoming confident on most blue terrain with good snow conditions and are being introduced to carving. Skidded turns of various shapes are not a great challenge.
Blue and Some Black
Level 7. You are now able to fine tune your carving ability in moderate terrain. You are able to link carved turns on all blue runs and are starting to do grabs off terrain features and ride the walls of the half-pipe.
Level 8. You are riding with varied dynamics on all terrain and in all conditions. You can also do 180s, 360s, and get air in the pipe.
Level 9. You are becoming more confident on the entire mountain and are working efficiently as you explore the extremes of snowboarding.