Lake Tahoe resorts offer instruction incentives as part of Learn Ski and Snowboard Month

With Lake Tahoe having one of its heaviest early snow starts in recent memory, Heavenly Mountain Resort, Northstar California Resort and Kirkwood Mountain Resort have a broad offering of learning opportunities for those who want to improve their skiing and riding skills this winter.

January is recognized nationally as “Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month,” a time of year when children and adults are encouraged to learn to ski or snowboard by taking lessons from professional instructors. From the Peak Performance Academy at Heavenly, to the Adventure, Guiding & Learning Center at Northstar and Expedition: Kirkwood, there’s something for novices to thrill-seekers searching for their next mountain adventure.

Peak Performance Academy at Heavenly

New this season, the best of the best in snow sports education will share their knowledge in exclusive clinics at Heavenly Mountain Resort. Members of the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) and American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI) National Demo Teams will work with skiers and snowboarders in an all-mountain clinic that will improve their powder technique and unlock the hidden stashes across the mountain, increasing their enjoyment of powder skiing and riding.

Sessions will feature video analysis, high-end riding and off-piste tactics, as well as addressing personal goals. The Peak Performance Academy is offered as two three-day clinics (Jan. 25-27 and Feb. 8-10) and one five-day clinic (March 4-8).

In addition to the Peak Performance Academy, Heavenly is offering two Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month specials. Beginners have the option of taking two days of lessons and receiving the third lesson free, or taking one day of lessons and receiving a second day at 50 percent off. Heavenly is also incentivizing skiers and riders who introduce a friend or family member to the sport during the month of January. As part of the “Bring a Friend Challenge,” anyone who brings a friend or family member to the Ski and Ride School to participate in one of the resort’s Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month specials will be entered for a chance to win a two-night vacation package to Heavenly. For more information, or to secure reservations, visit www.skiheavenly.com.

Adventure, Guiding & Learning at Northstar
Featuring private, semi-private and group lessons for adults and kids, as well as the one-of-a-kind Burton Snowboard Academy, Northstar’s Adventure, Guiding & Learning Center caters to any ability level and learning preference, and was recently named the “ski school of the future” by Men’s Journal.

New this season, the Ultimate 4 lesson for kids and adults offers all day instruction in a small group (no more than four people per instructor) with more individualized feedback and one-on-one time with Northstar’s pros. Equipment is included, and participants get on the mountain earlier than traditional lesson start times for first access to the powder, fresh groomers, or beginner lifts.

Expedition: Kirkwood
Expedition: Kirkwood is for the avid adventurer looking to explore Kirkwood on a more intimate level. Unique offerings include avalanche certification courses, women’s programs, E:K Cat Tours, private guides and specialty ski clinics and board clinics and progressions sessions, with the opportunity for the creation of custom expeditions.

The terrain at Kirkwood offers lift access to backcountry opportunities within the resort boundary, providing the perfect backdrop for the range of offerings provided by Expedition: Kirkwood.

Those looking for the lowest guaranteed price on daily lift tickets at Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood should purchase at least three days in advance online at www.snow.com/lifttickets or through Vail Resorts Central Reservations. With the 3-Day Advance ticket, skiers and riders can save up to 25 percent vs. the window rate. The 3-Day Advance ticket is printed on reloadable media, offering added convenience for future resort visits. Guests are encouraged to keep their lift ticket so they can pre-purchase future tickets online, avoid the ticket window at the resort and go direct-to-lift.

For more information and the latest snow conditions updates at all three resorts, visit www.skiheavenly.com, www.NorthstarCalifornia.com or www.kirkwood.com.