Spoil yourself. Take an early season lesson

Tune up your skills during November and December and you’ll enjoy the rest of ski season even more. Savvy skiers know that the slopes are not busy pre-holiday because everybody’s shopping. What’s more, if you take an early season class you’re likely to get the top instructors who are anxious to teach now. Here’s a sampling of possibilities in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons for raw beginners through super experts.

Alta’s Performance Ski Camp is for wanna’ be and advanced expert skiers. Coaching emphasizes all-mountain tactics, an evaluation by a biomechanics expert, video analysis of your skiing and two indoor evening presentations. The three-day, four-night camp includes lodging at Alta Lodge. Dec. 4-8. Pricey but well loved.

Alta’s Jump Start the Season is a two-day course Dec. 10-11 that encourages strong intermediate and advanced skiers to make breakthroughs. Focus is on skiing smoother, having more control and looking better. $440 with lift tickets and lunch additional. Alta ski school info: 801-799-2271.

Brighton’s Learn-to-Slide package is a brand new three-day, all inclusive package that includes lift, lesson and rentals. The package is for those 13 and up, and it can be used any three days of your choice throughout the season. When purchased, you get a voucher that you’ll redeem for a lesson, rentals and a learner lift ticket on three separate days. No strings attached. Lessons are two hours long and are held daily at 10:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. seven days a week. No reservations required. Just show up. Affordable: $199 for the three-day package.

For ski and snowboard adults of all abilities, Brighton’s Adult Workshop is a three-day lesson series with the same instructor each week. Instructors help students set and attain their goals while they balance comfort and challenge. Pre-holiday sessions are: Saturdays Dec. 3, 10, and17. $175 includes a full-day lift pass for the day of each lesson and a light brunch on the first morning.

For women of all abilities, Brighton’s Women’s Workshop is also a three-day series of ski or snowboard lessons for adults from beginners through experts with the same female instructor each week. Pre-holiday sessions are: Dec. 1, 8 & 15. $175 for all three sessions.

And for telemarkers of all abilities, there’s Brighton’s Telemark Workshop with the same deal: full-day lift ticket, same instructor, same price. Pre-holiday: Dec. 4, 11 and 18. Also just $175.

Brighton’s Just for Women is perfect for busy women. It’s a half-day lesson then lunch. Treat yourself to a day on the mountain in the company of other women while improving your skills. The pre-holiday sessions are Dec. 9 and Dec. 12. $55. All Brighton lessons: 801-532-4731 Ext 209.

Snowbird’s Adventure Teams for children have openings for some of the Saturday and Sunday pre-holiday sessions. Get your kids active with a team so you can do your pre-holiday shopping. Call: 801-947-8222.