SnowSports School

For Lessons Please Call 406.995.5743

Welcome!

Welcome to Big Sky, the biggest skiing in America! Our professional staff of international guides and instructors look forward to showing you everything the slopes of Big Sky have to offer. While being serious about teaching you to ski or snowboard, we also focus on making every lesson enjoyable. We invite you to discover how much fun and graceful winter mountain sports can be. -- Troy Nedved, Snowsports School Director

Registration

Registration takes place at the Snowsports School in the Snowcrest Lodge on the afternoon before or the day of lessons. See below to determine the appropriate lesson level. Please arrive at least 20 minutes prior to lesson for registration or 45 minutes prior if equiptment rental is needed. This will allow children and parents to coordinate their equipment, adjust to their surroundings and for the lesson to start on time. Office hours are 8 am - 4:30 pm. Reservations are not needed for group lessons.

All pricing shown within this section online is for lessons only. Rental equipment and lift tickets for children over 10 years are additional. There is a 10% discount for purchasing 3+ days of group lessons. Gratuities are not included.

Big Sky Resort offers programs for our guests with disabilities through our partnership with Eagle Mount Therapeutic Recreation. Please call 406.586.1781 for details or visit our adaptive skiing page.

Skier Skill Levels

Level 1 - Turtle- Beginners. First time skiers, never been on skis before.
Level 2 - Bear- Beginner surface lifts. Can control speed in a straight snowplow on mild green terrain.
Level 3 - Beaver- Beginner surface lifts. Beginner snowplow turn, not yet riding the chairlift.
Level 4 - Moose- Variety of green terrain including chairlifts. Can link snowplow turns in a variety of turn sizes and shapes.
Level 5 - Porcupine- Even the most difficult green terrain. Turns by using snowplow through most of the turn, but matches skis only after the fall line.
Level 6 - Raccoon- All green and easy blue terrain. Begins turning by using a snowplow and matches skis in or just before the fall line. Skis all groomed green terrain parallel.
Level 7 - Owl- Variety of blue terrain. Uses only a very slight opening of the skis to begin turning and matches very early in the turn.
Level 8 - Wolf- All blue groomed and easier black terrain. Strong parallel turn with consistent turn shape.
Level 9 - Rabbit- All terrain. Uses ski design to make parallel turns; uses poles effectively; is comfortable exploring a variety of terrain including ungroomed slopes on easier black terrain. Skis a dynamic parallel turn in all terrain.

Snowboarder Skill Levels

Level 1, Grasshopper - Never snowboarded before.
Level 2, Brook Trout* - Comfortable sliding downhill on heel edge. (Heel side slip)
Level 3, Bobcat* - Comfortable sliding downhill on heel and toe edges. (Heel and toe side slip) Ready for first turns.
Level 4, Bald Eagle** - Comfortable linking turns (toe to heel and heel to toe) on easy green runs.
Level 5, Wolverine** - Consistently linking turns on all green runs and easy blues.
Level 6, Mountain Goat** - Comfortable on easy black terrain.

* At this level, lessons are offered mornings only for ages 15 and older.
** At this level, lessons are offered afternoons only for ages 15 and older.