• 1st Timer Learn to Ski or Snowboard Package is for skiers or snowboarders ages 7 years and older. Lessons last 1.5 hours (3 + students),
  1 hour ( for 1 or 2 students).
• 1st Time Skier's & Snowboarder's lessons start at: 9:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m., & 2:00 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
• On weekdays all ski or snowboard lessons start at 10:30 a.m. or 2:00 p.m.. Enjoy your day!
  

SKI & RIDE TIPS

The first time you go skiing or snowboarding, the experience can go one of two ways: It's possible you're going to get hooked and crave more. Your thoughts of skiing will consume your every waking thought, and you'll soon be making excuses to get up to the mountains, every chance you get! Or learning to ski could be a grueling and negative experience for you. Fortunately, for beginners, we have compiled this helpful web page to get you started on the right track, so you can get the most out of your first skiing or snowboarding experience!

Scroll below to review: 1st Timer Tips, What to Bring, Beginner Terrain, Responsibility Code & Parking info.

TIPS for 1st TIME Learn to Ski or Snowboard guests!

Take a lesson . Like everything else, you'll improve the most when you receive some expert guidance. The best way to acquire superior downhill skiing or snowboarding skills, is to take a lesson, or a series of lessons, from one of our qualified instructors. In an hour and a half group lesson, you'll learn more than you could on your own! In addition, our ski and snowboarding pros will show you around the mountain and direct you to terrain suited to your ability. Click here for more info on Group or Private skiing or snowboarding lessons, Adult Racing classes or Children's programs, SKIwee,

miniRIDERS & Day Care.

Use the right equipment. You can get high quality, properly tuned ski or snowboard rentals from our rental shop, if you don't have gear of your own. Don't borrow equipment from a friend and take a chance! But, if you do borrow equipment, make sure the ski or snowboard bindings are correctly adjusted by a certified ski shop. Click here to view our rentals page.

Dress in layers . Layering your clothing allows you to compensate for changeable weather conditions and temperatures. For example, dress in highly comfortable polypropylene underwear (top and bottoms) - this material dries quickly, absorbs sweat and keeps you warm! Also, wear a turtleneck, sweater and jacket. Do NOT wear cotton as a base layer, or you will likely end up cold and wet!

Bring a headband or hat with you to the slopes; 60 percent of heat-loss is through the head. Wear gloves or mittens (mittens are usually better for those susceptible to cold hands). Be prepared! Mother Nature has a mind of her own! 

Drink plenty of water. In the mountains, it is easy to dehydrate. Keep your body in tiptop shape by drinking lots of water over the course of your skiing day!

Know your limits. Learn to stay in control while skiing and snowboarding. Make plenty of turns to check your speed and navigate safely down the mountain. This is true both for beginning slopes and on more advanced trails!

If you're tired, stop . Stop before you become tired; skiing accidents and injuries often occur as a result of fatigue. Don't risk it! If you tire while skiing or snowboarding, please relax on one of our several outdoor decks, located outside of our lodges and by the Tubing Center. Take it easy and enjoy the beautiful mountain environment at the end of a beautiful winter's day!

Have Fun - Don't try to ski yourself into shape. You'll enjoy skiing and snowboarding more if you're physically fit. But even if you're not the most fit person around, don't miss out on the experience! Stay within your limits and you'll have fun! 

Here is our list of recommended items for you to bring skiing and snowboarding, in order to ensure that you have fun on your first day on the slopes. If you are in need of anything on this list when you get here, it's available in the Ski Butternut Ski & Board Shop, which offers a varied and complete selection of gear and clothing.  
Hat - Essential if you're to keep your head and body warm, a significant amount of your body's heat escapes through the top of the head! Cover up and be comfortable!
Gloves/Mittens Choose those which are preferably waterproof On particularly cold days, wearing mittens will keep your hands and fingers even warmer!.
Goggles/Sunglasses - On the mountain, you'll definitely need UV protection from the sun, its strength amplified by snow-clad slopes. Goggles are strongly recommended on cold or snowy days for warmth and increased visibility.
Backpack - These are great for storing and carrying extra clothes & supplies, when you are riding the chairlift or skiing on our trails. If you have gear you don't need right away, you can store it in one of our convenient lockers. (Lockers are available at the Upper Lodge, Lower Lodge and in the Rental Building.)
Jacket/Parka This should be water resistant!
Synthetic or wool-based layers for the top & bottom portions of your body. Remember, you can always remove excess clothing layers if you're warm and add them back on if you're cold!. Synthetic materials, like polypropylene, will help to wick moisture away from your skin and keep you warm and dry. Once again, DO NOT WEAR CLOTHING MADE FROM COTTON! This material soaks up and retains moisture from your body and will make you chilled over the course of your skiing day.
Snow pants or Water resistant pants - Keep your bottom half warm and dry.
Warm, dry socks - NO COTTON socks on the slopes. Wear only one pair of wool or other warm socks. DO NOT wear multiple pairs, or you may experience pain and foot problems (your foot size changes from a Size 6 C to a Size 8 DDDD, when you put on 3 pairs of socks!!).  
Sunscreen - Use SPF 15 or higher to protect yourself and your family from harmul UV rays. Also, .lip balm, snack, fruit and energy bars are available, if needed, at our lodges' food service facilities (Free Trail Maps are available across the mountain). Remember to keep with you your ID, wallet and cash. It's also a good idea to bring extra clothes as well; shoes to change into at the end of your skiing day; water to keep yourself hydrated; proper ski or snowboard equipment, including skis, poles and boots or snowboard and snowboard specific boots. If you need equipment, we're ready to assist you. If you need skis, ski boots, poles or snowboard and snowboard-specific boots when you first arrive, go directly to the RENTAL BUILDING. Everything you need is available inside. Rental equipment available include skis, snowboards, boots, bindings, poles, lockers and bathrooms. Please arrive early!! Avoid the rush that usually hits between 8:45 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. on most weekends. Our trained technicians will be glad to help you obtain the right-sized and adjusted gear.

If you have questions regarding the rental process, or on renting equipment, click here to review our RENTAL INFORMATION.

Ski Butternut offers terrain ideal for beginner skiers and snowboarders, just like you, who want to learn to ski or snowboard in a safe, comfortable environment. Our beginner teaching terrain is naturally isolated from more advanced trails; you won't have to worry about more expert skiers zooming by as you practice your turns. Our beginner terrain is conveniently located adjacent to our rental building's exit. The terrain, itself, consists of short, gentle slopes which allow you to comfortably learn, refine and practice your turning and stopping skills. It's slopes are serviced by two chairlifts, operated by attentive and knowledgeable attendants who understand a first-timer's worries and challenges. Also available for younger children is a "Wonder Carpet" lift. In addition, beginners enjoy easy access to our rustic and spacious Upper Lodge, which is conveniently located at the top of the beginners' slope. This large, outdoor patio features comfortable sunbenches on which to rest, relax and take in outstanding scenic views, any time of the skiing day! The Upper Lodge affords users a complete food service facility, clean restrooms and clothing lockers. These conveniences combine to make Ski Butternut's beginner terrain the perfect place for learning to ski or snowboard, while enjoying a fun-filled, family-oriented snowsport experience!.    

Responsible Skiing or Snowboarding

Your Responsibility Code - It's yours learn it.

Skiing can be enjoyed in many ways. At ski areas, you may see people using alpine, snowboard, telemark, cross country and other specialized ski equipment, such as that used by special needs or other snowsport enthusiasts. Regardless of how you decide to enjoy the slopes, always show courtesy to others. Be aware that there are elements of risk in skiing that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce. Observe the code listed below, and share with other skiers, your responsibility for a great skiing and snowboarding experience.

•  Always stay in control.

•  People ahead of you have the right of way.

•  Stop in a safe place for you and others.

•  Whenever starting downhill or merging, look uphill and yield.

•  Use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.

•  Observe signs and warnings, and keep off closed trails.

•  Know how to use the lifts safely.

KNOW THE CODE. IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.
This is a partial list. Be safety conscious.
Officially endorsed by: NATIONAL SKI AREAS ASSOCIATION.

PARKING

When you first arrive, you'll discover that all of our spacious parking lots are free!. The main lot is always a good choice, first thing in the morning. At the front of Ski Butternut's main lot, is a convenient 3-minute unloading and drop-off area that accommodates about 10 vehicles. This is a popular (read "busy") place on weekends, so many folks park in the main lot and walk directly to the RENTAL Building, located in the upper right-hand corner of the lot. If you arrive later in the morning (10 to 11 a.m) on a busy day, you may be directed to park closer to the Tubing area, or just above the beginner slopes. In those instances, simply ask the parking attendants for the quickest way to reach the RENTAL Building, located at the bottom of the ski and snowboard learning area. You'll soon find everything is just a short walk away, at Ski Butternut!.

We Can't Wait to See YOU right here at Ski Butternut

Get out, get hooked and you'll love it. Just don't blame us, if you quit your job and move to the mountains! Just in case the bug bites you bad, here's a link to our JOBS page.