Steep and Deep: The Snow Skiing/Boarding Thread

[kccougar]

I hit the slopes on Saturday for the first time in 5 years. My legs are letting me know about it still, but I had a great time. Why don't I go more often?

This was my second time skiing at Deer Valley. Despite their being NO snow - I've never seen the mountains so bare - the groomed runs were surprisingly good.

I also had the advantage of skiing in and out from a home right on the slopes. What a pad!

Looks like I was a day early. Should be some great snow falling over the next several days.

[TripletDaddy]

I just scored a sweet deal....bought a pair of Fatcat 6 yakimas from a guy selling them online. $85 and they basically look brand new. I asked the guy if he had the box and he said no. I asked why he was selling them and he said that he didn't ever go and didn't need them. I commented that it is odd to buy large high end racks if you never go skiing. He grew impatient and asked if I wanted them or not. I had the distinct feeling the these racks were probably stolen which would explain the price, the condition, and his disposition. I gave him the cash and got out of there! :rockon1:

[venkman]

ANyone have experience with the ski school at Brighton? Thinking of taking the kids there Friday for a lesson. Any idea how much I should expect them to learn in four hours? Snowplow down the bunny hill?

[Shaka]

ANyone have experience with the ski school at Brighton? Thinking of taking the kids there Friday for a lesson. Any idea how much I should expect them to learn in four hours? Snowplow down the bunny hill?

It's excellent.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

ANyone have experience with the ski school at Brighton? Thinking of taking the kids there Friday for a lesson. Any idea how much I should expect them to learn in four hours? Snowplow down the bunny hill?

As a Brighton Ski School alum, I think it is great. I have a friend that just posted on FB about they spent the day in lessons at Brighton and had a great experience recently.

Some days I really miss just being a liftee all day and then riding Crest all night.

[TripletDaddy]

ANyone have experience with the ski school at Brighton? Thinking of taking the kids there Friday for a lesson. Any idea how much I should expect them to learn in four hours? Snowplow down the bunny hill?

Venkman, I've taken 1/3 of the Puffy Check to ski school at Brighton. I just took my daughter 3 or 4 weeks ago. I thought I posted about it here but maybe not. A few thoughts:

My daughter had never been on skis. I had her ski, not board, although they teach both at the school. The classes are separate for each sport, of course.

The school is well organized. They cap the class at a reasonably small number (6?) and if you go on a weekday, chances are good that the class will be smaller. If one kid shows up, then there is one kid in the class. There are no minimums.

It is very well organized. They are personable with the kids. I was afraid that the instructors would be a bunch of burnouts trying to kill time in exchange for a free season pass. Instead, they are people that enjoy teaching kids how to ski/ride.

They give the kids a big button on their coat with 6 or 7 spots to put an achievement sticker. Throughout the lesson, as they are able to perform certain tasks, they get a new sticker. This was a big deal for my daughter. Get on the lift, put on your boots, Learn how to stop, etc.

For skiers, they have a Magic Carpet area that teaches the kids how to snow plow. We brought clamps with my daughters skis. I think they want the kids to have some sort of clamps or rubber bands for the tips when they are learning. If you don't have some they will lend you some. As the kids progress they will take the clamps off.

After a few times on the magic carpet, the kids progress to a real lift adjacent to the ski school area. I can't remember the name if the lift but it is a very basic but respectable lift for beginners. They spend the rest of the lesson time going up and down the chair.

My daughter did the shorter class (I believe there are two classes....the longer one has lunch). By the end of the shorter class, my daughter could get on the chair by herself and she could ski down the hill with little issue. They took off her clamps mid-lesson so we never used them when we skied together.

After a few of those runs, we ventured out to a real chair. We skied all the way down the groomed stuff. She had a blast and did very well. I was thrilled for her. Since she is only 7, she is small with low center. She rarely fell and I'm sure your child will be similar.

She loves it and wants to go back but I have to take the other two Puffies first.

As an FYI, Brighton sells a limited lift ticket for $35 that allows you to ski on two chairs. I bought one of those when I took my daughter. Worked out well because she wasn't going up to Millie or GW anyway and I was still able to get some ok runs in. I didn't want to sit around during her lesson so I skied and I also wanted to ski with her afterward. Your child will most likely want to show you what they have learned, as well, so consider buying a lift ticket.

Another cool thing about the ski school....at the end of the lesson, the teacher will meet with you and walk you through what the child did well and where they can improve. They also give you some tips about how to teach children different skill sets such as turning and stopping.

We really enjoyed our experience at BSS and I plan on taking my other two children there. The price is great and the instructors do a nice job. Good luck and have fun. Skiing with my little girl was one of my best days ever. I can't wait until we can all go as a family.

[venkman]

Venkman, I've taken 1/3 of the Puffy Check to ski school at Brighton. I just took my daughter 3 or 4 weeks ago. I thought I posted about it here but maybe not. A few thoughts:

My daughter had never been on skis. I had her ski, not board, although they teach both at the school. The classes are separate for each sport, of course.

The school is well organized. They cap the class at a reasonably small number (6?) and if you go on a weekday, chances are good that the class will be smaller. If one kid shows up, then there is one kid in the class. There are no minimums.

It is very well organized. They are personable with the kids. I was afraid that the instructors would be a bunch of burnouts trying to kill time in exchange for a free season pass. Instead, they are people that enjoy teaching kids how to ski/ride.

They give the kids a big button on their coat with 6 or 7 spots to put an achievement sticker. Throughout the lesson, as they are able to perform certain tasks, they get a new sticker. This was a big deal for my daughter. Get on the lift, put on your boots, Learn how to stop, etc.

For skiers, they have a Magic Carpet area that teaches the kids how to snow plow. We brought clamps with my daughters skis. I think they want the kids to have some sort of clamps or rubber bands for the tips when they are learning. If you don't have some they will lend you some. As the kids progress they will take the clamps off.

After a few times on the magic carpet, the kids progress to a real lift adjacent to the ski school area. I can't remember the name if the lift but it is a very basic but respectable lift for beginners. They spend the rest of the lesson time going up and down the chair.

My daughter did the shorter class (I believe there are two classes....the longer one has lunch). By the end of the shorter class, my daughter could get on the chair by herself and she could ski down the hill with little issue. They took off her clamps mid-lesson so we never used them when we skied together.

After a few of those runs, we ventured out to a real chair. We skied all the way down the groomed stuff. She had a blast and did very well. I was thrilled for her. Since she is only 7, she is small with low center. She rarely fell and I'm sure your child will be similar.

She loves it and wants to go back but I have to take the other two Puffies first.

As an FYI, Brighton sells a limited lift ticket for $35 that allows you to ski on two chairs. I bought one of those when I took my daughter. Worked out well because she wasn't going up to Millie or GW anyway and I was still able to get some ok runs in. I didn't want to sit around during her lesson so I skied and I also wanted to ski with her afterward. Your child will most likely want to show you what they have learned, as well, so consider buying a lift ticket.

Another cool thing about the ski school....at the end of the lesson, the teacher will meet with you and walk you through what the child did well and where they can improve. They also give you some tips about how to teach children different skill sets such as turning and stopping.

We really enjoyed our experience at BSS and I plan on taking my other two children there. The price is great and the instructors do a nice job. Good luck and have fun. Skiing with my little girl was one of my best days ever. I can't wait until we can all go as a family.

Great info, thanks DDD. I'm excited to be able to hit the slopes with the kids.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

I think they want the kids to have some sort of clamps or rubber bands for the tips when they are learning. If you don't have some they will lend you some. As the kids progress they will take the clamps off.

If you are skiing with little kids, even if they have been a few times and are getting confident, I'd suggest always having and edgie-wedgie in your pocket. This is the first year that Jr. hasn't used one at all. Captain is somewhat fearless reckless and despite him being on skis many times, it helps reign him in and start making turns and not just bombing a figure 1 down the hill.

I would guess every ski shop would sell one for $10 or less.

[TripletDaddy]

If you are skiing with little kids, even if they have been a few times and are getting confident, I'd suggest always having and edgie-wedgie in your pocket. This is the first year that Jr. hasn't used one at all. Captain is somewhat fearless reckless and despite him being on skis many times, it helps reign him in and start making turns and not just bombing a figure 1 down the hill.

I would guess every ski shop would sell one for $10 or less.

I like that one. When my daughter goes back for her second time, I will clamp them on definitely. I think she associated them with learning and she wanted to show me how much she had learned so I didn't discourage it. I wanted her first day to be fun. But she needs to learn how to turn to her weak side and the clamps will help with that.

[ERCougar]

If you are skiing with little kids, even if they have been a few times and are getting confident, I'd suggest always having and edgie-wedgie in your pocket. This is the first year that Jr. hasn't used one at all. Captain is somewhat fearless reckless and despite him being on skis many times, it helps reign him in and start making turns and not just bombing a figure 1 down the hill.

I would guess every ski shop would sell one for $10 or less.

This is essential, and yeah, they're all over the place. I bet every ski school uses these to start kids off and my 5 yr old still uses it.

[venkman]

Unbelievably gorgeous day at Brighton today. Snow was decent too.

The ski school was great, my two oldest learned how to snowplow and turn and we had a great time together after their lesson.

[hostile]

Tomorrow should be a good day. Hopefully the canyons are open in the am. I'm hoping to get a in at least a half day at Snowbird.

[TripletDaddy]

It is a blizzard at our house right now. Snowing sideways and wind gusts. I might wait until Saturday when it is sunny and warm.

[old_gregg]

parleys is closed right now

[hostile]

parleys is closed right now

Little Cottonwood closed, but crews are working. C'mon guys, get that road open by morning.