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Easy 123 - What To Expect

Day #1

Your abilities are likely one of the following:

  • This is my first time ever.
  • It has been so long ago that I really need to start at the beginning.
  • I took this lesson before and want to improve my confidence before I ride the chairlift.
  • I would like to learn about proper dress, putting on boots and equipment, the winter on-snow environment and on-snow basics like walking around, riding a surface lift, making turns, speed control and stopping.

Includes: 2 lessons up to 2 hours each, rental equipment specifically designed for beginners and a beginner lift ticket.
When: Lessons start promptly at 10am and 1pm every day that Stevens Pass is in full operation. Please arrive at least 1-1/2 hours before your lesson time to give yourself enough time to gear up and get ready to go.
Where: This package can be purchased in the Rental Tech Center when you arrive or to speed things up you can reserve your equipment by phone as late as 3pm the day before your trip. To purchase this lesson special and reserve equipment, call 206-812-4510 ext. 4206 and speak to one of our friendly Sales representatives.

Step 1: Arrive at the Rental Center 1-1/2 hours before your lesson begins (10am) and begin the equipment rental process or pick up the gear you reserved.

  • The Rental Tech staff will help you get the right fit in your boots. That nylon ankle cuff inside your pant leg goes on the outside of your boot to keep the snow out.
  • There are lockers available so you won’t have to bring your shoes back to the car.
  • This is your best time to start losing stuff so keep a mental list of all your gear… hat, gloves, goggles, locker code and lift pass are in your pocket, stuff you don’t need on the hill is in your locker, great, ready to go. If you forgot anything you can find it at The Edge retail store right there in the Rental shop.

Step 2: Off to the lesson meeting area. Follow the signs past the rope tow and by the gear check to the instructors waiting in their red coats. It’s not too far and every step you take in those big boots is building the balance and coordination you will need when your lesson begins.

Step 3: When you arrive at the lesson meeting area you will be greeted by instructors who will ask you about your experience and start sorting all you and your new friends into different classes. When everyone arrives you will head off with your coach and the fun will begin.

During the first timer lesson each class will move along at it’s own pace, each step you take builds on what you already know and prepares you for the next task. You’ll move in place before you walk, and you will slide before we start working your way up the hill and learn to turn. The learning hill is equipped with a conveyer lift designed just for beginners that is easy to ride and fun. When you can turn and stop you are ready to ride the chairlift and begin to explore the mountain. Each class finds its own pace and some classes don’t make it up the chairlift on the first day. Some students take the “1st time” lesson more than once to build confidence before moving up the mountain. Regardless, your instructor will teach you how to use the chairlift and show you the skills you will need to get back down safely.

Day #2

Your abilities are likely one of the following:

  • I can ride the conveyer lift.
  • I can control my speed and direction on the learning hill.
  • Skiers can make turns on the learning hill.
  • I am ready to ride the chairlift or…
  • I have already ridden the chair and am building my skills before I move to the next chairlift and the intermediate slopes.

On your second day you will ride the chairlift and build your skills on the green runs (easiest). Most students take this lesson more than once before moving to the intermediate (blue) runs.

Includes: 1 lesson up to 2 hours, rental equipment specifically designed for beginners and a beginner lift ticket.
When: Lessons start promptly at 10am or 1pm every day that Stevens Pass is in full operation. Please arrive at least 1-1/2 hours before your lesson time to give yourself enough time to gear up and get ready to go.

During the Easy Starter lesson your instructor will give everyone a refresher on how to move through the lift line, load the chairlift, ride safely, and unload at the top. Everyone rides the conveyer lift first to get your skills back on the way over to the Daisy chairlift. The class regroups at the top of the lift and your instructor reviews the “rules of the road” we call "Your Responsibility Code" and other appropriate safety issues. Don’t forget to look around; views of the cascades are getting better and better as you leave the valley floor. When it’s time to descend your instructor will give you something to practice for each section of the trail with one new skill building on the next. After a few runs if the class is ready you will head over to the Hogsback chair to try the intermediate trails. Each group finds their own pace and most students take this class more than once. By the end of class you will know what you need to master before you head onto the blue (intermediate) runs.

Day #3

Your abilities are likely one of the following:

  • I am confident making turns on green runs.
  • I can make turns on the steepest trails the Daisy chair can access.
  • I am ready to ride the Hogsback chairlift and try out the intermediate (blue) runs.
  • I have already ridden the Hogsback chair and am ready to explore the mountain.
  • The black diamond trails are too steep for me.

In the Easy 3 lesson you will work on developing skills on the easier terrain and then put them to use where the trail is steeper and gradually the entire mountain will open up to you.

Includes: 1 lesson up to 2 hours, rental equipment specifically designed for beginners and an all mountain lift ticket.
When: Lessons start promptly at 10am or 1pm every day that Stevens Pass is in full operation. Please arrive at least 1-1/2 hours before your lesson time to give yourself enough time to gear up and get ready to go.

And there’s more…
The path laid out here will get you from no experience at all to cruising around most of the mountain. Now the sport becomes an extension of your personality as you develop your own style. As you choose your own path the professionally trained and nationally certified instructors at Stevens Pass can help you overcome any obstacle that comes your way. And the best way to make that happen is time with a Private Instructor. Come see us anytime, we’ll always be here ready to slide with you.