Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — With more than 400 instructors coming from a variety of backgrounds, including ex-CEOs, PhDs, year-round professional instructors who travel to different countries to teach, and young skiing stars, Steamboat Ski and Snowboard School offers the perfect lesson for everyone.

Instructors range in age from 18 to 72 years old, and all are specially trained, said Johanna Hall, manager of Steamboat Ski and Snowboard School.

"Our product is our people," Hall said. "What we do is (find) the best person for the job."

People can call up for a private lesson and say that they read all the ski magazines, know the physics of the sport and want someone who can draw diagrams and teach specifics. Or, they might say that they want to have a fun day on the slope with an instructor who can tell them about the nightlife and best restaurants across town.

"We would match an instructor that does that," Hall said.

A full line of multiple-day clinics and half-day or full-day sessions are offered to skiers and riders of all ages and abilities.

It's easy to book a private or group lesson the day of the lesson or in advance.

Half-day group sessions run from 9:30 a.m. to noon or 12:30 to 3 p.m., and full-day sessions run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Adult ski and snowboard programs cater to ages 16 and older and beginner to advanced level skiers and boarders.

Kids and Teens programs include group lessons for all abilities and encourage children to have fun on the mountain, with days designated as vertical challenge day, treasure hunt day and eco day.

Bumps clinics and advanced lessons are also available for more experienced athletes.

Women who want to learn to ski and board from a woman's perspective can sign up for one and three-day Women's Ski and Snowboard Seminars.

One new addition this winter is ski lessons at the Snowboard Freestyle Park and Pipe Clinic at Mavericks. Snowboard lessons were offered at the park for the first time last year, and will continue this year.

Skiers and riders who prefer a one-on-one learning experience on the mountain won't leave dissatisfied. Private lessons are an exceptional way to get coaching and special attention, especially for people who find larger groups intimidating.

Instructors at Steamboat's Ski and Snowboard School adhere to the mantra of "If you want to be at your best, be with the best."

And nowhere is that standard more realized than at the Billy Kidd Performance Center.

Founded in 1981, the center provides motivated skiers of all ages with the tools to ski and board with the best.

Younger visitors don't have to feel left out while mom and dad are flying through the powder. The Kids' Vacation Center offers skiing programs and child care for children 6 months old to kindergarten.

Whichever lesson people choose, they can to learn a wealth of new tips and information, and have a fun time.

"It's so much more than how to make a good turn," Hall said.

For information on the Steamboat Ski and Snowboard School, Kids' Vacation Center and the Billy Kidd Performance Center is available by calling 970-871-5375 or 1-800-299-5017.