January is ‘Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month’

Getting out and skiing and boarding are not just a good way to get some exercise and revitalize your spirit during the darker days of winter, doing so is fun and is a good way to meet new friends. And since the sports require skill to do it right, “Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month” was born to encourage budding enthusiasts to learn good habits from the start. Learning from your neighbor’s nephew might work, but it might also provide fodder for a viral YouTube funniest video. Learning from a certified instructor will give you the foundation to develop the correct techniques and not develop bad habits that are hard to fix later.

A national organization (SkiAndSnowboardMonth.org) has formed to promote the idea of learning and improving skills the right way, and this year’s ambassador is Daron Rahlves, a champion racer and consultant to the ski instructors at Sugar Bowl Resort in Norden, California, who says, “Once you ski or snowboard down a mountain, your life will change.”

January is the official month for this initiative, and Utah resorts are participating with gusto. And since we live in one of the best places in the world for skiing/boarding there just is no reason not to take advantage of this program.

• Alta: A 4-day all inclusive*, first time skiers learn to ski package for $179.
• Brian Head: Beginner lesson for $39 on select weekends.
• Brighton: Intro package for $45 during January.
• Canyons: $13 Lift ticket, $13 beginner ski or snowboard lesson (5 hours) and $13 equipment rental.
• Deer Valley: $39 for never-ever skied before (locals only).
• Park City Mountain: StartNOW provides five all inclusive visits for first-time ski and snowboard students for just $199. (locals only)
• Powder Mountain: 5-week lesson package, Saturdays only, locals only, $85 (lessons only).
• Snowbasin: Learn to Earn Program which starts with lessons and upon completion participants will receive a COMPLIMENTARY SEASON PASS to practice for the rest of the season.
• Snowbird: Adults: First timers, locals only, reduced prices on an all-inclusive* day pass. Jan. 2-31, afternoons only.
• Solitude: First timer locals only. Select days in January. $165 for 3 days. Complete the program and receive a free day pass for a later day.
• Sundance: $40 for first timers only, all-inclusive* (skiers, 6 and older; boarders, 7 and older).
• Wolf Mountain: $39 for all-inclusive Discovering Snow package (Sunday-Thursday only, 8 years and older)

*all inclusive means lessons, rentals and lift access for the day.