All lessons are non-refundable. Lessons can be rescheduled to another date, or cancelled and issued to a resort credit. We do not issue refunds. Lessons are rescheduled or issued a resort credit as outlined below:

• • Lessons rescheduled or cancelled 3+ days prior to the lesson date may be done so without penalty. (ie. Saturday lesson rescheduled or cancelled before 5pm on Wednesday.)

• • Lessons rescheduled or cancelled 2 days prior to the lesson date may be done so for a $20 fee. (ie. Saturday lesson rescheduled or cancelled before 5pm on Thursday)

• • Lessons rescheduled or cancelled the day before the lesson date may be done so for a $60 fee. (ie. Saturday lesson rescheduled or cancelled before 5pm on Friday)

• • There will be no refunds due to weather or snow conditions or for those who are unwilling to participate in the class.

• • Anyone not showing up for the lesson will forfeit the full amount of the lesson.

You must call (209) 965-3474 to reschedule or cancel reservations. All Private Lesson reservations are subject to these rescheduling, cancellation and non-refundability policies.

Prepare for Your Lesson

• Get a good night's rest
• Eat a healthy breakfast
• Drink plenty of water to make sure you're hydrated

What To Remember For Your Day At Dodge Ridge

• Goggles/Sunglasses - Goggles perform best in all conditions
• Don't forget the Sunscreen
• Water Resistant Jacket, Pants and Gloves
• Layers for varying weather - Sweatshirt, Long sleeve shirt, base layers, etc
• Ski/snowboard socks (you'll enjoy 2 pairs, 1 for your day on the mountain and a 2nd pair for your trip home)

The following describes the skills that will be taught at each lesson level.

Level 1 Skier - Beginner

"It is my first time or I have tried skiing before but have not yet learned to control my speed either by stopping or by turning."

• Put on / take off / carry equipment
• Stand, walk, glide & climb with equipment on
• Do a gliding wedge / wedge stop
• Ride the Magic Carpet
• Turn in both directions
• Learning to control speed with turns

Level 2 Skier - Beginner

"I have learned to stop and make beginner turns most of the time.  Sometimes I accidentally stop when I am trying to turn.  I am ready to start riding the chair."

• Review turning & stopping
• Varying wedge size & turn shape
• Introduce flexion/extension movements
• Introduction to beginner chairlift
• Get on & off lifts by myself
• Comfortable on all green terrain

Level 3 Skier - Intermediate

"I can make turns without stopping and control my speed.  I have been on the chair lift before and can ski any green terrain."

• Review stance & balance (fore, aft, lateral)
• Speed control with turn shape & wedge size
• Increase flexion/extension movements
• Matched traverse on green/blue slopes
• Skidding skis at the finish of a turn
• Introduce a hockey stop/edge sets
• Introduce blue terrain

Level 4 Skier - Intermediate

"I have started skiing on some blue terrain. My skis are parallel when I ski across the hill and at the end of my turn.  My skis skid a little through the end of the turn.  I have tried to hockey stop."

• Review speed control through turn shape
• Review hockey stop/edge sets
• Review foot / leg steering
• Matching/parallel skis on green terrain
• Matching skis at the fall line on blue terrain
• Comfortable on all blue terrain

Level 5 Skier - Advanced

"I am comfortable on all blue terrain and I can ski parallel all the time on Green terrain.  On blue terrain my skis are parallel through the middle to end of my turn.  I can hockey stop."

• Review parallel turning
• Matching/parallel skis prior to the fall line blue terrain
• Introduce short turns (upper & lower body separation)
• Increase skills to better control speed
• Incorporate pole plant with rhythm & flow
• Introduce black terrain

Level 6 Skier - Advanced

"I am comfortable skiing all blue terrain and have started skiing black terrain.  My skis are parallel all the time and I can make turns of different sizes and shapes to control my speed.  My turns have rhythm and I know how to pole plant."

• Review all turn types on black terrain
• Ski all conditions powder/steeps/moguls/off-piste
• Introduce dynamic skiing
• Explore carving techniques
• Introduce terrain park (etiquette, rules) straight air, box slides - Helmet Required

The following describes the skills that will be taught at each lesson level.

Level 1 Rider - Beginner

"It is my first time or I have tried snowboarding before but have not yet learned to control my speed either by stopping or by turning."

• Equipment familiarization
• Balance, stance, and posture
• Stand, walk, glide, and climb with snowboarding equipment
• Skating (straight glide to a stop on the heal and toe edge)
• Riding the magic carpet
• Control speed through falling leaf technique

Level 2 Rider - Beginner

"I have been introduced to snowboarding equipment, learned the proper stance, posture and skating techniques, and have learned how to stop. I am ready to learn how to use a beginner chairlift."

• Speed control and stopping on both edges in a falling leaf
• Introduction to beginner chairlift
• Heel and toe edge traverse to a stop
• Skidded turns to a stop using heel and toe edge
• Introduction to linking turns

Level 3 Rider - Intermediate

"I can use a beginner chairlift, I can control my speed on both edges in a falling leaf technique, and I am starting to learn how to link my ‘S’ turns."

• Speed control using various turn sizes, shapes, and terrain
• Making linked 'S' turns smooth and consistent
• Introduction to beginner freestyle
• Introduction to blue terrain

Level 4 Rider - Intermediate

"I can control my speed using various turn sizes and shapes on varying terrain. I am comfortable on all green terrain and I am starting to link turns smoothly and consistently."

• Introduction to carved turns
• Introduction to Independent leg movements in variable terrain
• Flexion and extension through multiple phases of a turn
• Exploration of blue terrain
• Exploration of off-piste (powder) terrain

Level 5 Rider - Advanced

"I can link ‘S’ Turns and control speed consistently on blue terrain.  I am starting to ride switch and am ready to learn short turns, carving, variable terrain, terrain parks, and more dynamic movements."

• Commanding carved turning
• Making smooth and consistent turns in off-piste terrain
• Introduction to beginning terrain park features
• Introduction to black terrain

Level 6 Rider - Advanced

"I am confident carving on all blue terrain and am starting to ride on blacks. My riding is smooth and consistent in off-piste terrain and in all riding conditions. I am ready to learn to ride steeps, and start learning rails, boxes, and straight airs in the terrain park. "

• Develop skills and confidence on all black terrain
• Explore safe riding through trees, steeps, and bumps
• Introduction to intermediate/advanced park features - Helmet Required

YOU MAY ADD UP TO 2 BEGINNER HOUSEHOLD PARTICIPANTS AGES 7 - 12

•  $128 / per extra household participant (ages 7 - 12): includes lift ticket and rentals
  

Same Sport Required for everyone in the lesson: Ski or Ride.

It is optimal for everyone in the lesson to be able to ski or ride at a similar level to maximize each participant's skill development and success.

YOU MAY ADD UP TO 2 INTERMEDIATE - ADVANCED HOUSEHOLD PARTICIPANTS AGES 7 - 12

•  $90 / per household participant (ages 7 - 12): Does not include lift ticket or rentals.
  --

Same Sport Required for everyone in the lesson: Ski or Ride.

It is optimal for everyone in the lesson to be able to ski or ride at a similar level to maximize each participant's skill development and success.

The following describes the skills that will be taught at each lesson level.

Level 1 Skier - Beginner

"It is my first time or I have tried skiing before but have not yet learned to control my speed either by stopping or by turning."

• Put on / take off / carry equipment
• Stand, walk, glide & climb with equipment on
• Do a gliding wedge / wedge stop
• Ride the Magic Carpet
• Turn in both directions
• Learning to control speed with turns

Level 2 Skier - Beginner

"I have learned to stop and make beginner turns most of the time.  Sometimes I accidentally stop when I am trying to turn.  I am ready to start riding the chair."

• Review turning & stopping
• Varying wedge size & turn shape
• Introduce flexion/extension movements
• Introduction to beginner chairlift
• Get on & off lifts by myself
• Comfortable on all green terrain

Level 3 Skier - Intermediate

"I can make turns without stopping and control my speed.  I have been on the chair lift before and can ski any green terrain."

• Review stance & balance (fore, aft, lateral)
• Speed control with turn shape & wedge size
• Increase flexion/extension movements
• Matched traverse on green/blue slopes
• Skidding skis at the finish of a turn
• Introduce a hockey stop/edge sets
• Introduce blue terrain

Level 4 Skier - Intermediate

"I have started skiing on some blue terrain. My skis are parallel when I ski across the hill and at the end of my turn.  My skis skid a little through the end of the turn.  I have tried to hockey stop."

• Review speed control through turn shape
• Review hockey stop/edge sets
• Review foot / leg steering
• Matching/parallel skis on green terrain
• Matching skis at the fall line on blue terrain
• Comfortable on all blue terrain

Level 5 Skier - Advanced

"I am comfortable on all blue terrain and I can ski parallel all the time on Green terrain.  On blue terrain my skis are parallel through the middle to end of my turn.  I can hockey stop."

• Review parallel turning
• Matching/parallel skis prior to the fall line blue terrain
• Introduce short turns (upper & lower body separation)
• Increase skills to better control speed
• Incorporate pole plant with rhythm & flow
• Introduce black terrain

Level 6 Skier - Advanced

"I am comfortable skiing all blue terrain and have started skiing black terrain.  My skis are parallel all the time and I can make turns of different sizes and shapes to control my speed.  My turns have rhythm and I know how to pole plant."

• Review all turn types on black terrain
• Ski all conditions powder/steeps/moguls/off-piste
• Introduce dynamic skiing
• Explore carving techniques
• Introduce terrain park (etiquette, rules) straight air, box slides - Helmet Required

The following describes the skills that will be taught at each lesson level.

Level 1 Rider - Beginner

"It is my first time or I have tried snowboarding before but have not yet learned to control my speed either by stopping or by turning."

• Equipment familiarization
• Balance, stance, and posture
• Stand, walk, glide, and climb with snowboarding equipment
• Skating (straight glide to a stop on the heal and toe edge)
• Riding the magic carpet
• Control speed through falling leaf technique

Level 2 Rider - Beginner

"I have been introduced to snowboarding equipment, learned the proper stance, posture and skating techniques, and have learned how to stop. I am ready to learn how to use a beginner chairlift."

• Speed control and stopping on both edges in a falling leaf
• Introduction to beginner chairlift
• Heel and toe edge traverse to a stop
• Skidded turns to a stop using heel and toe edge
• Introduction to linking turns

Level 3 Rider - Intermediate

"I can use a beginner chairlift, I can control my speed on both edges in a falling leaf technique, and I am starting to learn how to link my ‘S’ turns."

• Speed control using various turn sizes, shapes, and terrain
• Making linked 'S' turns smooth and consistent
• Introduction to beginner freestyle
• Introduction to blue terrain

Level 4 Rider - Intermediate

"I can control my speed using various turn sizes and shapes on varying terrain. I am comfortable on all green terrain and I am starting to link turns smoothly and consistently."

• Introduction to carved turns
• Introduction to Independent leg movements in variable terrain
• Flexion and extension through multiple phases of a turn
• Exploration of blue terrain
• Exploration of off-piste (powder) terrain

Level 5 Rider - Advanced

"I can link ‘S’ Turns and control speed consistently on blue terrain.  I am starting to ride switch and am ready to learn short turns, carving, variable terrain, terrain parks, and more dynamic movements."

• Commanding carved turning
• Making smooth and consistent turns in off-piste terrain
• Introduction to beginning terrain park features
• Introduction to black terrain

Level 6 Rider - Advanced

"I am confident carving on all blue terrain and am starting to ride on blacks. My riding is smooth and consistent in off-piste terrain and in all riding conditions. I am ready to learn to ride steeps, and start learning rails, boxes, and straight airs in the terrain park. "

• Develop skills and confidence on all black terrain
• Explore safe riding through trees, steeps, and bumps
• Introduction to intermediate/advanced park features - Helmet Required

YOU MAY ADD UP TO 2 BEGINNER HOUSEHOLD PARTICIPANTS AGES 7+

•  $128 / per household participant (ages 7 - 12): includes lift ticket and rentals
• $183 / per household participant (ages 13+): includes lift ticket and rentals
  

Same Sport Required for everyone in the lesson: Ski or Ride.

It is optimal for everyone in the lesson to be able to ski or ride at a similar level to maximize each participant's skill development and success.

YOU MAY ADD UP TO 2 INTERMEDIATE - ADVANCED HOUSEHOLD PARTICIPANTS AGES 7+

•  $90 / per household participant (ages 7+): Does not include lift ticket or rentals.
  --

Same Sport Required for everyone in the lesson: Ski or Ride.

It is optimal for everyone in the lesson to be able to ski or ride at a similar level to maximize each participant's skill development and success.

THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBES THE SKILL LEVEL OF THE STUDENTS ENTERING EACH LESSON LEVEL, AND A LIST OF SKILLS TAUGHT IN EACH SPECIFIC LESSON.

Level 1 Skier - Beginner

"It is my first time or I have tried skiing before but have not yet learned to control my speed either by stopping or by turning."

• Introduction to equipment
• Sliding, balance, stopping, and gliding wedge
• Beginner lifts
• Turn in both directions

Terrain: Beginner

Level 2 Skier - Beginner

"I have learned to stop and make beginner turns most of the time.  Sometimes I accidentally stop when I am trying to turn."

• Review turning and stopping
• Introduction to linking wedge turns
• Varying wedge size and turn shape for speed control
• Introduction to flexion/extension movements

Terrain: Beginner

Level 3 Skier - Intermediate

"I can make turns without stopping and control my speed.  I comfortably can ski any green terrain."

• Foot steering from a wedge to a wedge Christie
• Progression of flexion/extension movements
• Introduction to intermediate terrain

Terrain: Beginner/Intermediate

Level 4 Skier - Intermediate

"I have started skiing on some blue terrain. My skis are parallel when I ski across the hill and at the end of my turn.  My skis skid a little through the end of the turn.  I have tried to hockey stop."

• Active foot steering movements for an earlier matching of skis
• Hockey stops and pole usage
• Exploring more challenging terrain

Terrain: Intermediate

Level 5 Skier - Advanced

"I am comfortable on blue and some black terrain. I'm starting to explore off-piste terrain and more dynamic carving techniques."

• Active foot/leg steering techniques for varied turn shape
• Pole plant with carving rhythm and flow
• Exploring off piste terrain

Terrain: Intermediate/Advanced

Level 6 Skier - Advanced

"I am comfortable skiing black terrain and I'm working to progress my ability to ski steeps, variable terrain, powder and dynamic carves."

• Short turns and carving on steeps
• Moguls, powder, and terrain park skills

Terrain: Advanced

The following describes the skills that will be taught at each lesson level.

Level 1 Rider - Beginner

"It is my first time or I have tried snowboarding before but have not yet learned to control my speed either by stopping or by turning."

• Equipment familiarization
• Balance, stance, and posture
• Stand, walk, glide, and climb with snowboarding equipment
• Skating (straight glide to a stop on the heal and toe edge)
• Riding the magic carpet
• Control speed through falling leaf technique

Level 2 Rider - Beginner

"I have been introduced to snowboarding equipment, learned the proper stance, posture and skating techniques, and have learned how to stop. I am ready to learn how to use a beginner chairlift."

• Speed control and stopping on both edges in a falling leaf
• Introduction to beginner chairlift
• Heel and toe edge traverse to a stop
• Skidded turns to a stop using heel and toe edge
• Introduction to linking turns

Level 3 Rider - Intermediate

"I can use a beginner chairlift, I can control my speed on both edges in a falling leaf technique, and I am starting to learn how to link my ‘S’ turns."

• Speed control using various turn sizes, shapes, and terrain
• Making linked 'S' turns smooth and consistent
• Introduction to beginner freestyle
• Introduction to blue terrain

Level 4 Rider - Intermediate

"I can control my speed using various turn sizes and shapes on varying terrain. I am comfortable on all green terrain and I am starting to link turns smoothly and consistently."

• Introduction to carved turns
• Introduction to Independent leg movements in variable terrain
• Flexion and extension through multiple phases of a turn
• Exploration of blue terrain
• Exploration of off-piste (powder) terrain

Level 5 Rider - Advanced

"I can link ‘S’ Turns and control speed consistently on blue terrain.  I am starting to ride switch and am ready to learn short turns, carving, variable terrain, terrain parks, and more dynamic movements."

• Commanding carved turning
• Making smooth and consistent turns in off-piste terrain
• Introduction to beginning terrain park features
• Introduction to black terrain

Level 6 Rider - Advanced

"I am confident carving on all blue terrain and am starting to ride on blacks. My riding is smooth and consistent in off-piste terrain and in all riding conditions. I am ready to learn to ride steeps, and start learning rails, boxes, and straight airs in the terrain park. "

• Develop skills and confidence on all black terrain
• Explore safe riding through trees, steeps, and bumps
• Introduction to intermediate/advanced park features - Helmet Required