• Reservations are recommended (and essential for holiday periods).  Please reserve at least 48 hours in advance by calling 303-440-8700.
• Full Day enrollment is recommended for all our programs. Children will progress more rapidly and retain more with a full day of lessons. We recommend successive multiple day enrollment for First Time younger skiers and riders.

• Please take the time to prepare your child for an amicable and encouraging morning separation from you. Children need time to become accustomed to their equipment and environment, to make new friends with the staff and other children. It is then advisable to leave your child to enjoy the day, "out of view", with no interruptions. Your child will do better and have less separation anxiety if they do not see Mom and Dad watching them. Feel free to drop by in the afternoon for a quick progress report, then go and enjoy yourself knowing there is plenty of time after class to ski together and share the day's accomplishments!
• Make sure to bring your child's progress card each day, including those from other ski areas.
• Please only one wool or polypropylene sock per foot, per boot in any weather!
• Dress your child appropriately for the day's weather. If it is sunny and cold, or if it is snowy, one layer under waterproof pants (tights, sweatpants or long johns), and two layers (turtle neck and sweater or fleece) under a warm, waterproof jacket and hat. All children are required to have at least semi-waterproof clothing (avoid one piece suits), gloves (mittens are better), neck gator (not a scarf), hat and goggles. For warm days, one layer under waterproof pants, a turtleneck and waterproof jacket, vest or fleece sweater, waterproof mittens or gloves, headband or ball cap, goggles or well-fitting UV rated sunglasses (goggles are better). Your child must have eye protection on, everyday they are outdoors! On some spring days or snowy days, we will not be able to ski or ride with your child if they are not properly equipped for the elements.
• A special, labeled, backpack or bag will help your child in keeping their gear together. It will be easier to carry, and things will not be as likely dropped or forgotten!
• Eat a substantial breakfast early in the morning!
• Label everything!
• Please send no ski poles; if your child is ready for them, we have plenty for use at no additional charge!
• If you have concerns, check with our indoor staff. In the case of a serious injury or sickness you will be notified through message boards at the bottom of the key lifts.

Preparing your Child for their First experience?

Three to six months prior to your child's lesson:

• Enroll your child in a gymnastics class! All children, as young as three years of age can benefit from the "group lesson" experience. Practicing skills that will enhance balance, coordination of movements and gross motor skills.
• Be a "Raving Fan"! Talk up skiing and snowboarding! Conversations at home about the wonder of snow, sensations of cold and mountains can excite a child's curiosity (or frighten). If you are a skier, tell them stories about when you learned to ski!
• Start to simulate skiing situations and movements. Play at "falling down". It is an inevitability, yet will become frustrating on snow after so much success over the years learning to walk and run! For younger children, play games like "dead ants" in which the leader calls out "Dead Ants!" and everyone falls down! When your child comes up to the Resort to learn to ski, remind them about the game, and that falling down is okay!
• We "teach for positive transfer". That means activities like rollerblading and ice skating are great crossover sports for skiing. Children learn to balance on moving platform, and the skating movements "transfer" well to skiing. For children 7 years or older, skateboarding is a great preparation for snowboarding.

One month or less, prior to your child's lesson:

• Play and "act out" with their equipment to familiarize them with it. If you don't have equipment for them, show them yours or take a trip to a sports shop! Have them put your stuff on and walk around with it (if they can). The more comfortable they become with the process of dressing, wearing goggles etc., and the more they anticipate the routine, the more likely the success of their (and your) experience once you arrive at the Resort.
• Find books and videos in the library on related subjects, like snow, winter, skiing etc.
• Express excitement about you upcoming trip to the mountains! Your child will play off or mirror your doubts, fears or your excitement!

The week prior to your child's lesson:

• Phone in your reservation. You must book your reservation at least 48 hours before arrival.
• Make sure you have secured all clothing items and that if they have not been worn since last season?.they still fit!
• Continue to reinforce the enthusiasm for this adventure!

The Day before your child's lesson:

• Label, with a permanent marker, all your child's belongings. Check to ensure that your child has appropriate eyewear, mittens and waterproof clothes.
• Lots of water and juice
• Ensure that your child is well rested, early to bed and ready for their early trip in the morning.

The Day of your child's lesson:

• Turn on the TV or radio to determine road conditions, traffic and weather. Dress the gang, ready for the slopes!
• Get an early start. Remember every minute you save, is one that will come back to you 10 fold once you arrive at the Resort?not everybody reads this stuff! You are already ahead!

• Program sales at the Indian Peaks Lodge will be cut off no later than 9:30 am for Full Day enrollment and 12:30 pm for PM Half Day participants. To begin classes promptly and without disruption, we require adherence to this important policy.
• Please be prompt for check out at 3 pm. Your child has had a wonderful day and is excited about showing and telling you about their success! Make sure you collect all their belongings (shoes too!) at check out! Instructors are available to discuss your child's progress.
• We strongly encourage, however do not force, all children to ski or ride and our goal is to provide a fun and challenging program so that every child has a positive first experience on snow.
• Please do not attempt to place your child in a program that is not designed for his or her age or ability! Parents, you do yourself, your child, other children and your child's coach a disservice by misrepresenting your child's age or ability. Our teaching methodology is designed with your child's age in mind.
• Friends and family members may be separated because of age or ability.
• Be certain that the Children Center staff is aware of any medical or special needs your child may require.
• Special diets may require that parents send a lunch with child
• Children's lesson times may include organizational time, rest periods, shelter from inclement weather or play time depending on the needs of the children. Any child who refuses to participate in the lesson may be allowed to remain indoors until their parents are notified for pickup
• If a problem should arise with a student in the Children's Center program, on-mountain communication will be in the form of message board at the bottom of critical lifts.
• Children enrolled in group lessons at the Children's Center may need to ride chairlifts with other members of the skiing/riding public, Eldora staff or by themselves.

• Program sales at the Indian Peaks Lodge will be cut off no later than 9:30 am for 10am class starts and 12:30 pm for 1pm class starts.
• Arrive early at the Resort! The time you save by starting your day early will pay dividends later, and ensure a wonderful experience! Getting ahead of traffic, finding convenient parking, short lines at the Skier Services Desk (Indian Peaks Lodge) will set you and your family up for a stress-free and fun time at Eldora Mountain Resort!
• You will need to be at the Ski and Snowboard School Meeting Place (just outside the Indian Peaks Lodge) promptly, 15 minutes prior to the lesson starting time, i.e. "if your lesson starts at 10 am?.be there at 9:45 am".  If you are renting equipment, allow yourself enough time to get through the rental process.
• Each lesson is 1 hour and 45 minutes in length.
• Always rent at the Resort, if there is a problem with the equipment, quick replacement or adjustments are readily available.
• We match Instructors to students, organize our classes quickly and maintain optimum instructor/student ratios.

• Program sales at the Indian Peaks Lodge will be cut off no later than 9:30 am for 10am class starts and 12:30 pm for 1pm class starts.
• Arrive early at the Resort! The time you save by starting your day early will pay dividends later, and ensure a wonderful experience! Getting ahead of traffic, finding convenient parking, short lines at the Skier Services Desk (Indian Peaks Lodge) will set you and your family up for a stress-free and fun time at Eldora Mountain Resort!
• You will need to be at the Ski and Snowboard School Meeting Place (just outside the Indian Peaks Lodge) promptly, 15 minutes prior to the lesson starting time, i.e. "if your lesson starts at 10 am?.be there at 9:45 am".  If you are renting equipment, allow yourself enough time to get through the rental process.
• Each lesson is 1 hour and 45 minutes in length. If you are taking the "First Timer" Package you must attend the 10 am lesson to allow for a lunch break before your second lesson at 1 pm!
• Rental equipment may look the same, but are set differently for each individual, so don't mix them up! Always rent at the Resort, if there is a problem with the equipment, quick replacement or adjustments are readily available.
• We match Instructors to students, organize our classes quickly and maintain optimum instructor/student ratios.

• Private lessons are sold based on Instructor availability, so try to make your request for a reservation in advance. A request for a reservation should be made no less than 24 hours before arrival and can be done by phone at 303-440-8700.
• Remember your favorite Instructor's name, ask for a business card or ask for their scheduled days of work to book them right away!
• PLEASE! Don't mix vastly different ages and abilities in your private lesson! Doing so will only limit your Instructor's effectiveness and diminish the quality of your collective experience. Multi-hour privates are recommended for multi-person, inexperienced students! Children's beginner private lessons are more productive one-on-one! The value of your investment in private lessons is greater when you split them up!
• Remember, you must have a lift ticket to take a private lesson.
• Be sure to take advantage of our off-peak "Discounted Private" hours! You will save money and your favorite Instructor is more likely to be available then!
• IMPORTANT! Remember to arrive early to allow adequate time for parking, rentals, and tickets! Private lessons start ON TIME and your instructor is paid for that block of time.
• If your children are taking a private lesson, allow the Instructor the time alone with the kids, but please return to collect them at the designated time to discuss their lesson with their instructor.