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Why should I send my child?
Our program provides the opportunity for your child to travel to the mountains on a fun and educational day trip with other children from their school. Most trips depart from the school parking lot, making it convenient for your child to board the bus.
For elementary students, our program provides a supervised environment where students will improve their ski or snowboard skills by spending their day with a resort instructor. Students are grouped by age and ability level, from beginner to advanced. Our discounted rates, including transportation, make it more economical for you to send your children with us than to drive them up and enroll them on their own.
For middle and high school students, in addition to the lesson packages, we offer a very economical transportation only, or transportation and lift ticket (no lessons) package. We also offer a variety of packages for adults who wish to go along. Click
here to view a typical day on a trip with Colorado Ski Academy.
What ages may participate?
Any student age 6 and above may participate in the ski program. Students ages 7 and above may choose to participate in either the ski or snowboard program. Our student rates apply to ages 6-18
at Eldora and Winter Park, and ages 6-15 at Breckenridge &
Keystone. View
Rates.
What about transportation?
Colorado Ski Academy contracts with
Ramblin Express
for transportation. Ramblin Express's fleet consists of modern, deluxe motorcoaches that are restroom and video equipped. Ramblin Express has an excellent safety record as well as experienced mountain drivers. Transportation is provided from the group's departure point (usually the school).
What if my child already has a pass?
Because our program is so heavily discounted, there is no further discount for elementary students with a season pass. In fact, if you drove your child to the resort and enrolled them in the full day lesson program yourself, it would still cost you as much or MORE than our program, which includes bus transportation. Most of the resorts charge between $110
and $140 for the full day lesson/lift/lunch program, and only allow a $5-$10 discount for students with a pass.
For middle and high school students who do not need a lesson, they may purchase transportation only and use their pass to ski.
Isn't it safer for me to drive my child to the ski resort?
Absolutely not! Most parents are not aware that traveling in a deluxe motorcoach is the safest form of any kind of transportation in the world! Not only is it safer than an automobile, train, or airplane, but your child has the added benefit of traveling with friends and other students from their school.
Where do the trips go?
We currently take students to 3 resorts - Eldora, Keystone,Breckenridge and Winter Park. These resorts have an excellent track record of dealing with our groups. All have terrrain for all ability levels, and excellent ski and snowboard schools.
How are elementary students chaperoned?
Many parents are hesitant at first to send their younger children alone over concerns that their child will become "lost". Parents may rest assured that all elementary aged children are supervised from the moment they board the bus until the time it returns. Colorado Ski Academy takes over 10,000 students each year to the mountains. We have never "left" an elementary student behind! For more information about how students are chaperoned and their typical day, click
here.
Are middle and high school students chaperoned also?
Middle and high school students are chaperoned on the bus. However, once we arrive at the ski resort, it will depend on the program that they have chosen. For those enrolled in a full-day lesson program, this will be the same program as outlined above. Students are grouped by age and ability level.
For those choosing a half day
lesson program, students will be with an instructor until after lunch time. At
this time, students are released to ski or ride with their friends and are
responsible on their own to return to the bus at the designated time and place.
Parents who give permission for students to ski or snowboard without an instructor also agree to pick their child up from the ski resort if they do not return to the bus at the scheduled departure time. Parents should take into consideration their individual child's experience and maturity level when making this decision. First-time and beginner level skiers or snowboarders should always be placed in a lesson program, to ensure their safety and to help them master the appropriate skills.
What about rental equipment?
Colorado Ski Academy has arranged for special rental rates for skis and snowboards at all four resorts. Those ordering rental equipment must provide height, weight and shoe size. The resort then pre-sets the equipment before our arrival, and marks it by name. This helps the rental process go very quickly when we arrive.
It is very important that the correct sizes are put on the form or students will have to be refit. Parents, if you are not sure about sizes, please measure your students!!!
How do I know what my child's ability level is?
There are several short questions on the registration form to help determine ability level. For more detail about the various levels, please click on our
ability level
page.
Parents should keep in mind that each student learns at a different rate. Parents and students should not expect to move up an ability level each time that they go. As with any sport, time and practice are essential to develop a high ability level of skiing or snowboarding. One or two lessons will not make anyone a highly skilled skier or snowboarder!
What about helmets?
Helmet usage is not a requirement and is an individual decision for parents. Helmets are NOT provided as part of the basic equipment rental package, nor are they provided as a part of the ski and snowboard school lesson package. Those parents who want their child to wear a helmet may either send one with them or sign up for a helmet rental.
PARENTS MUST SIGN THE HELMET ACKNOWLEDGEMENT which is on the
registration form, and indicate whether your child will bring their own helmet,
wishes to rent a helmet, or if you are declining helmet usage for your child.
Failure to complete this may result in your child not being able to participate
in the lesson program.
What should students bring?
Students should bring along the following items on each trip:
Appropriate winter clothing including winter jacket (we suggest layered
clothing)
Waterproof pants (preferably insulated ski or snow pants)
Winter Hat
Goggles or Sunglasses
(A REQUIREMENT AT EACH RESORT TO PREVENT SUNBURNED EYES!)
Waterproof insulated gloves or mittens
Snacks and/or a beverage for consumption on the motorcoach (Please no candy, popcorn or other small food items that spill)
Sunscreen
Students may bring along a backpack which can be left on the bus during the day. All items should be marked with the student's name. DO NOT SEND ITEMS THAT YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE. Colorado Ski Academy is not responsible for items that are lost.
What if I need to cancel after I've signed up?
Once we have processed your registration, cancellations and no-shows are
non-refundable, no matter what the reason is. However, the full amount paid can
be used on any future trip for the same person or any family member any time
this season or next season. To use the credit, parents should fill out a new
registration form for the trip that they wish to use it on and include the
amount of their credit in the payment section.
No refunds/credits or partial
refunds/credits or discounted trips will be issued due to delays caused by road conditions, weather,
traffic, mechanical, illness, sadness or sickness during the day or weather
related issues at the resort.
How do I know if my school participates in your program?
Simply call us at 303-798-0388 to find out if your school participates. If not, you may be able to help us get
a program started at your school.
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