If this is your first time on skis or a snowboard, you?ve come to the right place!

Eldora Mountain Resort is known for providing a great First Time experience and at the Eldora SnowSports School we are dedicated to teaching you or your children the endless joys of skiing and snowboarding.

Some things to keep in mind for your first visit?

Everyone learns at different paces. It is important to keep your expectations reasonable. This way both you and your children will have a successful and rewarding experience. Factors that can affect learning to ski or snowboard include your temperament (how open you are to new things), age, and physical ability. Both skiing and snowboarding take specialized skills that improve with time over practice. Ultimately, your expectation for you or your kids should focus on the fun and excitement of the overall experience.

click on the First Timers Guide titles below to go to each section...

1) What to Wear

2) What to Expect

3) Where to Go

4) Ski & Snowboard Rental Equipment

5) The First Lesson

6) Beginner Area

7) Safety & Responsibility

You will want to wear clothes that will keep you warm and dry. We do not recommend cotton clothing (jeans and a sweatshirt) as it becomes wet, then cold. You probably have most of what you need already, but if not, try borrowing from friends for your first visit.

Layer Up
The best way to dress for skiing or snowboarding is to wear layers. This gives you flexibility to add or remove layers, depending on the weather. Turtleneck shirts, sweaters, long underwear and footless tights work well as under-layers. Don't wear jeans or street pants. Denim is not waterproof, so water will soak through and you'll end up cold, wet and miserable. Avoid wearing cotton next to your skin because it will absorb sweat and snow and make you shiver. For that same reason, wool or acrylic socks are better than cotton athletic socks. Most importantly - wear only one pair. Ski and snowboard boots are designed to be warm. Thick socks, or multiple layers of socks, will only give you blisters. If you buy anything, it should be a pair of waterproof shell pants and warm long underwear. You probably have a winter sports jacket already. You may not need as many layers of clothing as you think. On a sunny day, you may only need two layers - the waterproof outer layer and the turtleneck/long underwear first layer. But bring a middle layer (fleece or wool sweater) just in case. You can always take off clothing, as you get warmer.

In general, the three main layers are wicking, insulating and weather protection.

• Wicking layer: This is the layer worn next to your skin, usually consisting of long underwear. The wicking layer should fit snugly (not tight) next to the skin in order to effectively wick moisture.
  
  Look for thermal underwear made of a synthetic - usually polyester - fiber that has "wicking" power. This means the fibers will wick (move) moisture away from your skin and pass it through the fabric so it will evaporate. This keeps you warm, dry and comfortable. Silk is also a good, natural fabric that has wicking abilities.

• Insulating layer: Comfort is key for the insulating layer. It should be loose enough to trap air between layers, but not so bulky that it restricts movement. This middle layer includes sweaters, sweatshirts, vests and pullovers.
  
  Fleece, a synthetic material that maintains its insulating ability even when wet, also spreads the moisture out so it dries quickly. Wool naturally wicks away moisture.

• Protection layer: The exterior layer, generally a shell and pants, serves as your guard against the elements of winter. It should repel water from snow, sleet or rain and block the wind, while also letting perspiration evaporate. Whether you are a skier or snowboarder, your protection layer should fit comfortably, offering you maximum range of motion.
  
  Most genuine winter shells and pants are waterproof and breathable to some extent by using tightly woven fabrics teamed with a coating or laminate. This keeps moisture on the outside but allows perspiration to escape, keeping you dry and comfortable. Depending on the weather, you may be interested in pants and jackets/shells with increasing amounts of insulation. Look for functional hoods, cuffs, pockets and zippers - details that truly make garments comfortable in a snowstorm.
  
  Although less baggy than in previous years, most snowboard clothing is still designed to fit looser than alpine skiwear, giving snowboarders freedom of movement. In addition, many snowboard pants are reinforced in the seat and knees for extra protection when kneeling or sitting on the snow.

Headwear: Up to 60 percent of your body's heat can escape from an uncovered head, so wearing a hat, headband or helmet is essential when it's cold. (Tip: If you wear a hat, you may be able to wear one less layer on your body.) There are thousands of styles of hats and headbands, usually made from fleece or wool. Many have non-itch liners. Helmets are becoming very popular. Not only do they protect your head from bumps, but they also keep your head warm. A fleece neck gaiter (like a collar) or facemask is a nice addition on cold days.

Sunglasses and goggles: Sunglasses protect your eyes from solar radiation. Snow, or any other reflective surface, makes ultraviolet (UV) rays stronger, while increased altitude also magnifies the danger. Look for 100 percent UV protection in sunglasses. Make sure the glasses fit snugly behind your ears and rest gently on the bridge of your nose. On flat-light days or when it's snowing, goggles are vital. They protect your eyes and special lens colors increase the contrast so you can properly discern terrain features. Goggles should form an uninterrupted seal on your face, extending above your eyebrows and below your cheekbones. Watch for gaps, especially around your nose.

Gloves and mittens: Don't buy gloves or mittens that are too tight. There should be a little air space at the tips of your fingers, which acts as additional insulation. Look for gloves and mittens that use waterproof, breathable fabrics. Mittens, in general, are warmer than gloves, but offer you less dexterity. Snowboarding gloves and mittens often have a reinforced palm because of extra wear from adjusting bindings and balancing on the snow. Some snowboarding gloves and mittens also have built-in wrist guards, which are excellent for novice snowboarders.

Socks: One pair of lightweight or medium-weight socks works best for skiing or snowboarding. Too many pairs may make your boots too tight and cause poor circulation that can lead to cold feet. Socks are made from a variety of materials, including polyester, silk, wool and nylon. We do not recommend cotton socks. Some socks have wicking properties similar to long underwear, meaning your feet will stay dry and comfortable.

Sunscreen and Lip Balm: The sun's rays are less filtered at higher elevations. Snow also reflects sunrays like a giant mirror, making them even more intense. Wind can burn your skin too. It's tough to explain to your boss or teacher why you're bright red when you supposedly "spent the day in bed recovering from that nasty flu virus that's going around." Protect your skin and you won't have to think of any excuses!

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Top Questions asked about the "First Day"

1. How safe is skiing?
Statistically, skiing is no more hazardous than bicycling or tennis. It used to be though, in the days of long, stiff wood skis, non-support boots and non-release bindings. Now, with modern equipment such as fiberglass skis, high-support plastic boots and release bindings, skiing is much safer.

2. What will it cost?
Skiing is not as expensive as you might think. You can ski on a budget or you can spend a lot of time on the slopes. You can ski at a local area like Eldora for a few hours or take a ski vacation. Ski equipment can be rented, and as for clothing, you probably already have clothes that could double as a ski outfit. Eldora Mountain Resort has great "starter" packages to help you learn how to ski or snowboard. Check out our Lessons page for more details.

3. What kind of Facilities should I expect?
Eldora Mountain Resort has 12 ski lifts, 680 acres of terrain with 53 trails of varying difficulty and the Little Hawk Family Zone specifically for beginners. Indian Peaks Lodge houses the SnowSports School, food service, restrooms, ticket windows and Rentals. The Old Lodge contains the The Lodge Cafeteria, the Corona Bowl Bar, a retail store, day lockers, restrooms and the Season Pass office. Parking at Eldora is plentiful and free.

4. How can I find out the conditions before I go?
Each morning Eldora publishes a "ski report" that can be found around the resort and also on the website. This report is done daily, early in the morning and gives you a summary of the temperatures, trails open, lifts running, weather conditions, and more. We put our conditions report on our website, phone systems, and publish it to all the major news agencies that report national ski conditions.

5. How should I dress for Different temperatures?

Here's some tips to keep in mind for different temperatures:

40° AND ABOVE - TORSO: turtleneck or shirt, plus wind shirt or light jacket. LEGS: pants only. HEAD/FACE: light hat or none. HANDS: light gloves or liners. FEET: light socks. Put lift ticket on a garment that will not be removed.

28° TO 40° - TORSO: turtleneck or shirt plus medium parka or jacket. LEGS: long johns and pants; or pants and warm-ups; or bib ski pants. HEAD/FACE: light or medium hat. HANDS: medium gloves or wool mittens. FEET: light socks.

15° TO 28° - TORSO: turtleneck, light sweater, and medium to heavy parka or jacket. LEGS: thermal long johns and heavy pants; or medium pants and warm-ups; or long johns and bib ski pants. HEAD/FACE: medium to heavy hat. HANDS: heavy gloves or wool mittens with liners. FEET: medium socks.

5° TO 15° - TORSO: turtleneck, shirt, medium sweater or vest, plus heavy parka or jacket. LEGS: thermal long johns, pants and warm-ups; or thermal long johns and bib ski pants. HEAD/FACE: heavy tight-knit hat that covers ears and forehead. HANDS: heavy gloves or heavy wool mittens with liners. FEET: wool socks.

5° AND BELOW - TORSO: thermal undershirt, turtleneck, shirt, heavy sweater or vest, plus heavy parka or jacket. LEGS: heavy thermal long johns, heavy pants and warm-ups; or heavy thermal long johns and bib ski pants. HEAD/FACE: Face mask or scarf and neck gaitor over mouth and nose. Goggles to cover eyes. Heavy tight-knit hat that covers ears and forehead. HANDS: heavy gloves with liners or heavy wool mittens with liners and windproof shell. FEET: wool socks. If windy, add another layer to torso. No exposed flesh on head. Add hood to parka if available.

6. What are the basics I need to know before using a Lift?
It is recommended that you take a lesson or get help from an Eldora Instructor or Lift Attendant before attempting to ride one for the first time. Eldora has two 4-person chairlifts (quads), two 3-person chairlifts (triples) and four 2-person chairlifts (doubles). There are also four surface lifts ? 2 tows, 1 pomalift and 1 magic carpet.

Here are some basic rules for riding all ski lifts:

1) Obey all loading and other instructions on lifts.
2) Do not use a lift until you are familiar with its operation. Read the instruction signs. Watch and learn. Ask if you are in doubt.
3) Slow down before approaching the entrance to a lift.
4) Load and unload only at designated areas.
5) Be polite and courteous at the loading area. Wait your turn, try to keep off other people's skis, and double or triple up for chairlifts or T-bars.
6) Have your lift ticket or season pass visible to the ticket checker or lift operator so you do not hold up the line.
7) On chairlifts, keep your ski tips or snowboard up as you leave the loading area and upon approaching the unloading ramp.
8) If you fall while getting on or off the lift, keep your head down and crawl quickly out of the way.
9) Do not bounce, ski out of the track, or otherwise abuse lift equipment. You may cause injury to yourself or others.
10) Make sure no loose clothing or long hair is caught in lift when unloading.
11) Move quickly away from unload areas to make room for the next skiers.
12) If a lift stops, do not attempt to get off. Remember, if there is a mechanical problem, area personnel will provide assistance.
13) Take special precautions to help small children load and unload. Do not allow them to ride a lift alone until they can do so properly. You are responsible for your children and their actions.

7. What suggestions can you give me to get on or off a lift?

Chairlifts
Loading Instructions:
Straps off wrists.
Hold poles in inside hand.
Step quickly into position.
Look over outside shoulder, grasp bar as chair approaches and sit down gently. ON TRIPLE AND QUAD CHAIRS: middle skiers should grasp back of chair as it approaches. Sit down gently.
Do not bounce or swing.

Unloading Instructions:
Stand up at designated point and ski down the incline.
Move quickly away from moving chair and keep unloading area clear

Rope-Tows
Loading Instructions:
Remove straps from wrists.
Hold poles in outside hand.
Step quickly into position.
Look over inside shoulder, grasp tow and hold on.
Do not sit down or lean back!

Riding Instructions:
Flex knees.
Keep skis in the track.
Do not sit down or lean back!
Get off only at designated area.

Unloading Instructions:
Drop the rope and ski away from the unloading area.

8. How are the difficulty levels of trails marked?

Be sure to check out the lifts and the trails marked on the trail map. The colored symbols next to the trails indicate the difficulty of the trail. You will also find them on posted signs on the mountain. Before you ride a lift, make sure the trail symbols off of that lift fit your ability. If you have any questions or need directions, go talk to a lift attendant or another employee. If you find yourself on a slope that exceeds your ability level, always leave your skis/snowboard on and side step down the slope.

The following symbols and colors are the standard used by all ski areas:

Easier	More Difficult	Difficult	Most Difficult	Terrain Park

9. Where Can We Eat Lunch?

Eldora has four conveniently located restaurants for a quick pick me up or to sit down and relax with some good food. Click here for a complete list and description of your eating options.

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Your first few moments at a resort can be a little overwhelming. This page will guide you from driving through the gate, parking and getting to the ticket windows. Every member of our staff is here to make your visit a pleasant one - please feel free to ask if you have any questions!

When I arrive at the area what exactly is the process that I go through ?

1. There is plenty of free parking at Eldora Mountain Resort. Entering the lot our parking staff will direct you where to park your car. If you arrive early in the day, you will park close to the Indian Peaks Lodge in the base area. For later arrivals, you may be parking in the lower or North parking lots, but convenient shuttle buses run between the parking areas and the base area. Please be sure to bring everything you need from your car and lock your vehicle.

2. Your first stop should be Skier Services in the Indian Peaks Lodge to purchase a ticket, rent equipment and sign up for a First Timers lesson. The Indian Peaks Lodge is the big log building on your left if you are standing in the base area parking lot looking up the mountain. The ticket counter is on the first floor of the Indian Peaks Lodge as you walk through the doors. Lift tickets are considered like a general admission. You must have a lift ticket to have slope access. If you need to rent equipment or take a lesson you will do all of this at the ticket counter. If you have children ages 4-12 who are taking lessons, you will need to go upstairs to the Children?s Center. If you are only buying a ticket you can also do that across the parking lot in the Old Lodge, at the Season Pass office on the bottom floor of the lodge.

3. The ticket counter is where you purchase/pick-up your lift ticket, lesson and/or equipment rental packages in one transaction. If you are taking a lesson and/or renting equipment you will first need to fill out a Rental Form and Lesson Liability Release Form. These forms can be found on clipboards on the ledges against the walls by the ticket counter. One form will need to be filled out per person renting or taking a lesson. Once you have filled out the form, proceed to the ticket counter to make your purchase. The First Timers Ski or Snowboard Package is the most economical way to go as it includes everything you will need for a great first time experience - a lift ticket, equipment rental and a lesson all packaged together. After you have made your transaction, o ur ticket staff will hand you a lift ticket, a lesson voucher and a copy of the rentals form.

4. After receiving your lift ticket, place it on your jacket. Thread the metal wire through a pocket zipper, peel the paper backing off the ticket, place the bottom of the metal wire at the fold of the ticket and put half the ticket behind the wire and half in front of the wire so that the two sticky sides meet and stick together with the wire in between them. Be sure to ask resort staff to help you.

5. If you are renting equipment, you will proceed with your rental form to get fitted for equipment to either the right side for snowboard equipment or to the left for ski equipment. The first stop is to be fitted for boots. Our Rental staff will help you find the correct boot sizes. Sizes generally match your foot in a dress shoe. Only one pair of socks please! Otherwise the boots will not fit properly. The boots should feel tight but should not hurt your feet. It takes time to fit equipment to each individual. Expect to spend at least 15 to 20 minutes even if there is no wait.

6. After you have your boots, pr oceed to the back counter to receive your skis or snowboard. You will be asked your height and weight so your equipment will be properly fitted to you.

7. You may need to check your personal belongings such as a jacket, backpack, regular shoes, etc. There is a basket check, located at the entrance to the ski rental area or there are plenty of coin-operated lockers located in the Old Lodge across the parking lot.

8. If taking a lesson you will next go to the SnowSports meeting area with your equipment and your lesson voucher. To get to the meeting area, which is located behind the Indian Peaks Lodge, just walk out the back door of the Rentals area. There will be signs indicating the different lessons. Be sure to be in front of the appropriate sign with your equipment all ready for your lesson at least 15 minutes prior to the lesson start time. Your SnowSports instructor will meet you at the lesson sign.

9. At the end of the day turn in your rental equipment by entering the Rentals area through the rear door of the Indian Peaks Lodge and hand your equipment to an employee behind the counter .

What about lunch and snacks?

Eldora has four restaurants to choose from for lunch and snacks. Upstairs in the Indian Peaks Lodge there are soups, sandwiches and snacks, the Old Lodge has a full cafeteria with hot foods and other items, and there is also a mountain top restaurant The Lookout, that serves soups and snacks. The Corona Bowl Bar is a full service bar in the Old Lodge and has a great deck for eating and drinking outside on nice days.

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Eldora Mountain Resort features state-of-the-art rental ski and snowboard equipment. For new skiers and riders, we offer special rental equipment designed to make learning easy and fun.

When you are first issued your equipment, it may look like something out of a science fiction movie. This page will help you get familiar with the features of the equipment and how it is used. Take a few minutes to review the information below and you'll look like an old pro when you get to the rental shop!

The first piece of equipment that you are issued is your boots. The rental technician will need to know your street shoe size to assure that your boots fit properly. Your boots should feel snug around your foot, but not tight. Once buckled, you should be able to wiggle your toes, but your heel should not move when you pull up on it. If your boots feel too loose or too tight, please do not hesitate to ask for a different size!

Skis

Next, you will receive your skis. Our skis are all shaped skis, which mean they have a very deep sidecut. A deep sidecut makes the skis easier to turn. You will also notice that your skis are quite short. This is a good thing for learning - trust us!

On the top of your skis you will find complicated looking devices called bindings. These miracles of modern engineering not only hold your feet on the skis, but they also know when to let you go if you fall. A binding technician will set your bindings based on your weight, height, age, and ability level. Please be as accurate as possible to assure proper settings!

Once you are out on the snow, your instructor will show you how to use your bindings to attach your skis to your feet. It's actually quite simple - place the little ledge on the front of your boot under the front binding piece (called the toe piece), line up your heel and press down. To get out, you simply press down on the lever in the back with your ski pole. If your ski comes off during skiing, the ski brake will stop it from continuing down the hill without you!

Snowboards

Snowboards work pretty much like skis do. The big difference is that they are much wider, and you only get one. They have a sidecut just like skis, and turn the same way a ski turns.

Snowboard bindings have one big difference from ski bindings - they don't release! Once your feet are in, they should stay there. Getting in your snowboard bindings is easy, you basically line up the little rods on either side of your boot with the notches in the binding and step down. To get out, you pull the lever on the side and step out.

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You're properly dressed, you've got the right lesson package, and your rental equipment is ready to go - now is when the fun really starts! During your lesson with our SnowSports Instructors, you will learn all of the basic skills that you need to get started on a lifetime of skiing or snowboarding fun!

The first thing you will learn is how to put on your skis or snowboard and how to move around on the flat. This will give you a chance to get to know your equipment and get the feel for sliding around. You will also learn how to climb up the hill and turn yourself around while standing still. All of these skills are presented in a very flat area with a "runout". A runout helps you stop yourself while you are learning.

Next you will learn to slide straight down the hill. Unless you are an ice skater or in-line skater, your brain has been programmed to believe that sliding across the ground while standing up is, as a rule, something to be avoided. It takes a few runs down the hill before your brain figures out that it is not only OK, but a lot of fun.

You'll also be introduced to the moving carpet. The moving carpet is just like the conveyer lifts you will find in airports. You will simply stand on the carpet (with your skis or snowboard on), and it will move you slowly a short distance up the hill. From this point you will get a better idea of what it feels like to slide down the hill.

Once you have mastered "straight runs", you will be taught how to turn your skis. Turning offers two benefits - it allows you to avoid things you do not wish to meet up close, and it allows you to stop whenever you want. Once you get to the point that you can go where you want to go and stop yourself with confidence, it is time for your first lift ride.

Your First Lift Ride

If you have ever sat on a porch swing, you have mastered the art of loading and riding a chairlift. As you slide out onto the loading area, the chair will come up behind you. When the chair touches the back of your legs, simply sit down and enjoy the ride. If there is a safety bar, pull it down in front of you for the ride. At the top of the lift, you will see signs instructing you to raise the safety bar and prepare to unload. The snow will gradually come up to meet your skis. When you get to the "Unload Here" sign, stand up, lean slightly forward and slide straight down the ramp.

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First Time visitors will be pleased to find slopes which are referred to as "Easiest" to learn the ropes of skiing and snowboarding. At Eldora, we have designated these areas with signs for you to easily identify with.

Beginner slopes are marked with a "GREEN CIRCLE":

Easiest

The place to start at Eldora Mountain Resort is the beginner learning area - Little Hawk Family Zone. This beginner area is equipped with 2 surface tows (rope tows) and a "Magic Carpet" for easy transportation. With a lesson or two from our professional SnowSports school staff, you can progress to the double or triple chairlifts in the Family Zone and start working your way through the green, easiest trails to eventually move into the blue, more difficult trails found in the Little Hawk Family Zone.

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Ultimately, safe skiing and snowboarding on the mountain is each person's responsibility. Following the ?Colorado Ski Safety Act?, the "Your Responsibility Code", and the ?Freestyle Terrain Use Guidelines? will help all skiers and snowboarders have a safer mountain experience.

Colorado Ski Safety Act

It is your duty to obey the law. The Colorado State Legislature recognizes that dangers are inherent in the sport of skiing, regardless of any and all reasonable safety measures that can be employed. Therefore the Colorado Skier Safety Act of 1979, as amended, contains provisions that are important to all members of the skiing public. Copies of the Act are available at any ticket office or Ski Patrol facility.

Under Colorado law, a skier assumes the risk of injury to person or property resulting from any of the inherent dangers and risks of skiing and may not recover from any ski area operator for any injury resulting from any of the inherent dangers and risks of skiing, including changing weather conditions, existing and changing snow conditions, bare spots, rocks, stumps, trees, cliffs, extreme terrain, jumps and freestyle terrain, collision with natural objects, man-made objects or other skiers, variations in terrain, and the failure of skiers to ski within their own abilities.

Your Responsibility Code

The National Ski Areas Association established "Your Responsibility Code" in 1966 as a code of ethics for all skiers on the mountain. Today, the code reflects not only skier safety, but snowboarder and lift safety as well. The points listed in the Your Responsibility Code are the rules of the road when you are on the mountain. You may see people using alpine, snowboard, telemark, cross-country or other specialized ski equipment, such as that used by disabled skiers. Regardless of how you decide to enjoy the slopes, always show courtesy to others and be aware that there are elements of risk in skiing and snowboarding, which common sense and personal awareness can help reduce. Observe the code listed below and share with others the responsibility for a great skiing or snowboarding experience. Please note, violations of Your Responsibility Code, and the following additional rules, ordinances and/or guidelines may result in criminal prosecution, civil liability and/or loss of lift privileges without compensation or refund:

• Always remain in control and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.
• People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
• Do not stop where you obstruct a trail or are not visible from above.
• Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, look uphill and yield to others.
• Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
• Observe all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
• Prior to using any lift, you must have the knowledge and ability to load, ride, & unload safely.

Freestyle Terrain Use Guidlines

Freestyle terrain may include half-pipes, as well as terrain parks and terrain features. They are provided for your enjoyment and offer adventure, challenge and fun. However, freestyle terrain use, like all skiing and riding, exposes you to the risk of serious injury. Prior to using freestyle terrain, it is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with all instructions and warnings and to follow "Your Responsibility Code".

• Freestyle Terrain contains man-made and natural terrain variations.
• Freestyle Terrain changes constantly due to weather and use.
• Inspect Freestyle Terrain before using and throughout the day.
• In jumping and using this terrain, you assume the risk of serious injury.
• Be courteous and respect others.
• No more than one user on a Terrain feature at a time.
• Never jump blindly - use a spotter when necessary. Look before you leap!
• It is your responsibility to control your body on the ground and in the air.
• Always clear the landing area quickly.
• Always ride or ski in control and within your ability.

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