Tips for Beginners
Here are some tips to help you learn more about the lesson experience here at Crested Butte Mountain Resort.
What to Know
A guided ski or snowboard experience is the key to upping your mountain game. Whether you’re new to the sport or an experienced rider, there is always something fresh to learn or improve upon.
Skip the lift lines with exclusive Ski & Ride School lift lanes that provide quick access to the slopes.
Adult Group Lesson Details
Beginner Adventure
- 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- Lunch Break – Lunch not included
- 1:30-4 p.m.
Full Day Lessons
- 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- Lunch Break – Lunch not included
- 1:30-4 p.m.
Half Day AM Lessons: 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Half Day PM Lessons: 1:30-4 p.m.
Your Ski & Ride School lesson voucher, lift ticket and rentals (if purchased) will be ready for pick up in the Crested Butte Rental & Demo Center. You may pick up your advance reservations package 48 hours before your start date between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Any changes can be made at that time. All rental gear can be picked up the day before your lesson starting at 3 p.m. in the Rental & Demo Center.
We encourage you to check-in the night before during peak-season periods, between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., in order to pick up your paperwork and get your rental equipment for the next day.
On the day of your lesson, meet your instructors at the adult meeting area between the Red Lady and Silver Queen chairlifts. We recommend getting to your lesson 15 minutes early.
Crested Butte Rental & Demo Center: Open 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Peak Season Dates:
- December 21, 2019 - January 5, 2020
- January 17 - January 20. 2020
- February 14 - February 17, 2020
- March 2 - March 24, 2020
Lessons and lift tickets can be purchased the day of the lesson in the Adventure Center or the Rental & Demo Center. We recommend purchasing a lesson one hour before start of lesson and two hours before during peak season.
Crested Butte Rental & Demo Center: Open 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Adventure Center: Open 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Peak Season Dates:
- December 21, 2019 - January 5, 2020
- January 17 - January 20. 2020
- February 14 - February 17, 2020
- March 2 - March 24, 2020
Dress comfortably and bring extra layers in case there are changes in weather or conditions.
- Snow Pants
- Winter Jacket
- Waterproof Gloves
- Sunglasses or Goggles
- Helmet
- Sunscreen
Helmets: Helmets are not included with any adult lesson, but can be rented from the rental shop for an additional fee. Clothing is not offered as an equipment rental.
- From Gothic Road turn onto Treasury Road.
- Take first right into Parking Lot.
- Walk past Grand Lodge Hotel, through Mountaineer Square, through the breezeway tunnel.
- Continue straight past Treasury Building toward the slopes to meet your instructor between the Red Lady and Silver Queen Chairlifts.
Child Group Lesson Details
A parent or legal guardian will need to accompany any minors to on snow drop off and pick up.
Lesson Start Time: 9:30 a.m.
Lesson Pick-Up Time: 3:30 p.m.
- Cubs (age 3) Meet inside Camp CB at the Bear Den
- Explorers (skiers age 4-6) Meet at Yellow Flags at the Magic Carpets
- Mini Riders (snowboarders age 4-6) Meet at Blue Flags at the Magic Carpets
- Challengers (skiers ages 7-14) Meet at Red Flags at the Magic Carpets
- Challenger Riders (snowboarders 7-14) Meet at Blue Flags at the Magic Carpets
- Teens *during peak season (skiers 13-17) Meet at Teen Flag outside Camp CB
- Teens *during peak season (snowboarders 13-17) Meet at Blue Flags at the Magic Carpets
Peak Season Dates:
- December 21, 2019 - January 5, 2020
- January 17 - January 20. 2020
- February 14 - February 17, 2020
- March 2 - March 24, 2020
A parent or legal guardian will need to accompany any minors to on snow drop off and pick up.
Your Ski & Ride School lesson voucher, lift ticket and rentals (if purchased) will be ready for pick up in the Crested Butte Rental & Demo Center. You may pick up your advance reservations package 48 hours before your start date between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Any changes can be made at that time. All rental gear can be picked up the day before your lesson starting at 3 p.m. in the Rental & Demo Center.
We encourage you to check-in the night before during peak-season periods, between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., in order to pick up your paperwork and get your rental equipment for the next day.
On the day of your lesson, meet your instructors at the adult meeting area between the Red Lady and Silver Queen chairlifts. We recommend getting to your lesson 15 minutes early.
Crested Butte Rental & Demo Center: Open 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Peak Season Dates:
- December 21, 2019 - January 5, 2020
- January 17 - January 20. 2020
- February 14 - February 17, 2020
- March 2 - March 24, 2020
Lessons and lift tickets can be purchased day of lesson in the Adventure Center or Camp CB. We recommend purchasing a lesson one hour before the start of the lesson.
Crested Butte Rental & Demo Center: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Adventure Center: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Camp CB
- Monday through Friday Hours: 8:30-11 a.m.
- Weekend Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Peak Season Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Peak Season Dates:
- December 21, 2019 - January 5, 2020
- January 17 - January 20. 2020
- February 14 - February 17, 2020
- March 2 - March 24, 2020
- From Gothic Road turn onto Treasury Road.
- Take first right into Parking Lot.
- Walk past Grand Lodge Hotel, through Mountaineer Square, through the breezeway tunnel.
- Continue straight past Treasury Building toward the slopes to meet your instructor at the Magic Carpets learning zone.
Please mark clothing with your child's name. Masking tape and markers are available for your convenience.
- Snow Pants
- Winter Jacket
- Waterproof Gloves
- Sunglasses or Goggles
- Helmet
- Sunscreen
Helmets: Helmets are required for all children. Helmets are available for rent at Camp CB, and helmets are available for sale at the ski and snowboard shops located throughout the resort.
Lunch is provided. If you wish to bring your own lunch, please bring it in a small bag labeled with your child’s name on it.
Camp CB is a nut free facility, please do not pack anything with nuts.
Children must be potty trained to participate in outdoor skiing instruction, with the exception of the Snowy Bears program.
The health and safety of our guests is first priority and we take this very seriously. Strong health and safety practices are the heart of our child programs. A key to preventing illness in a childcare setting is to form trusting relationships between parents and teachers around sharing important health information about your child’s condition when they are admitted.
If your child has fever, sore throat, diarrhea, or is nauseous or vomiting, they will not be accepted into care. If your child has recently been ill, they must be symptom-free, without the benefit of medications, for 24 hours at US properties.
Each child will be observed for common signs of illness at arrival and throughout the day. A child who is ill upon arrival to the facility will not be admitted. Parents or guardians will be notified to pick up their child immediately, if the child becomes ill during their stay.
A physician’s note stating a child is no longer contagious will be required when a child has healing lesions or other symptoms suggestive of communicable disease.
Private Lesson Details
Full Day Lessons
- 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- Lunch Break - Lunch not included
- 1:30-4 p.m.
Half Day AM Lessons: 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Half Day PM Lessons: 1-4 p.m.
Meet at the Private Lesson sign in front of the Elevation Hotel across from the Red Lady chairlift.
Please arrive to your lesson with all necessary gear and clothing. Rental equipment and lift tickets, if applicable, must be picked up prior to your start time.
Your Ski & Ride School lesson voucher, lift ticket and rentals (if purchased) will be ready for pick up in the Crested Butte Rental & Demo Center. You may pick up your advance reservations package 48 hours before your start date between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Any changes can be made at that time. All rental gear can be picked up the day before your lesson starting at 3 p.m. in the Rental & Demo Center.
We encourage you to check-in the night before during peak-season periods, between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., in order to pick up your paperwork and get your rental equipment for the next day.
On the day of your lesson, meet your instructors at the adult meeting area between the Red Lady and Silver Queen chairlifts. We recommend getting to your lesson 15 minutes early.
Crested Butte Rental & Demo Center: Open 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Private lessons are sold independent of other products. Lift tickets and rentals must be purchased separately:
Peak Season Dates:
- December 21, 2019 - January 5, 2020
- January 17 - January 20. 2020
- February 14 - February 17, 2020
- March 2 - March 24, 2020
Private Lessons and lift tickets can be purchased day of lesson in the Adventure Center or the Rental & Demo Center. We recommend purchasing a lesson one hour before start of lesson and two hours before during peak season. Same day Private Lessons are not guaranteed.
Crested Butte Rental & Demo Center: Open 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Adventure Center: Open 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Peak Season Dates:
- December 21, 2019 - January 5, 2020
- January 17 - January 20. 2020
- February 14 - February 17, 2020
- March 2 - March 24, 2020
Dress comfortably and bring extra layers in case there are changes in weather or conditions.
- Snow Pants
- Winter Jacket
- Waterproof Gloves
- Sunglasses or Goggles
- Helmet
- Sunscreen
- From Gothic Road turn onto Treasury Road.
- Take first right into Parking Lot.
- Walk past Grand Lodge Hotel, through Mountaineer Square, through the breezeway tunnel.
- Continue straight past Treasury Building toward the slopes to meet your instructor between the Red Lady and Silver Queen Chairlifts.