Ski & Ride School at Snow Valley

Huddlebee Review

Last week we had a chance to visit Snow Valley as a family for the first time. We had a fun day of snow boarding lessons at Snow Valley’s Children’s Learning Center, as well as enjoyed sledding together in their snow play area. If you can, go midweek! We went on a Thursday and it was not crowded at all. We enjoyed wide open runs with no lift lines!

Our family arrived early that day to rent our gear and to check in. It was a breeze getting the equipment and finding our lesson spots. I was very thankful for the parking lot being close by so that we can walk back and forth as needed to store our shoes and other things the kids needed.

We dropped off two of our kids at the Children’s Learning Center for their snow boarding lessons at 9:30AM. Parents can sit on the balcony to watch the class and take pictures from there. This is a wonderful set up! After the kids settled into their lessons, I went over to the adult beginner lesson area (right next door) to start my own snowboarding class at 10:00AM, while my husband brought the younger kids to the snow play area. It was great that our whole family can be set up in different areas at the same time and that the lessons times were thoughtfully staggered so that the kids can be dropped off first and have time to prepare.

The lessons were so detailed and professional and the instructors were great. We’re so glad we went though the lessons instead of figuring out snow boarding on our own. Knowing the proper way to stand, fall, slow down and even how to ride the lift made such a difference, and having the instructor there made it a fun, safe and encouraging process.

The adult lessons ended half an hour before the kids lessons so that I can pick them up and even watch some of the tail end of their class. We then had lunch at the resort and afterwards enjoyed some free time on the lifts. As a family we ended the day with lots of sledding in their snow play area, complete with snow ball fights and making snow angels. We had a great experience at Snow Valley and recommend taking your family here for spring break. They are open to typically mid April!

(review updated on March 8, 2020)

Snow Valley Mountain Resort

Snow Valley Mountain Resort has been teaching first time skiers for over 80 years. It’s Children’s Learning Center remains dedicated to beginners-only (ages 4-12), and focuses on fun, traditional skiing and riding experiences. They place emphasis on the individual (with small class sizes), and pay close attention to developing and/or improving skills. So effective and fun is the Learning Center, that for the past three seasons, Snow Valley has been named Southern California’s #1 “Beginner Friendly Resort” by the respected Liftopia “Best in Snow Awards.”

Children’s Learning Center participants choose a full-day program with lunch (9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) or a half-day without lunch (9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. or 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.). Half-day adventure rates begin at $89 and include a lesson and lift ticket. Rental equipment may be added to each program for just $20. Snow Valley has a “5th Time Free Program” that allows students to take their 5^th lesson at no charge. Check-in begins a half hour prior to the start of all lessons. In order to best accommodate your children, Snow Valley instructors recommend arriving at least 1-1/2 hours prior to check-in to have plenty of time to pick up tickets and rentals and not be late for lessons. Lessons begin promptly as scheduled. All lesson schedules and pricing are at https://snow-valley.com/children-lessons/

Children ages 4-6, participate in the unique Adventurers program, where smaller groups are tailored to the child’s ability and provide more individual attention. In order to ensure they succeed and fully enjoy their first winter resort experience, children 5 & under must take ski lessons first, before learning to snowboard. Children ages 7-12 participate in the Explorers program, where classes are offered for skiers and snowboarders of all ability levels. Private Lessons for ages 4 & up and Group Lessons for ages 13 & up are also offered in our Learning Center. All these programs include a full mountain access child lift ticket. Parents/guardians are encouraged to ski and/or snowboard with their children after the lesson, if time permits.

Children delight in the Snow Valley Forest, where whimsical features make learning fun. It is accessed by two easy-to-load moving carpets, technically called conveyor lifts. The moving carpets are exclusive to the Children’s Learning Center, allowing newbies to become comfortable on the snow before they board a regular chairlift and mix with experienced skiers and snowboarders.

“Snow Valley’s new moving carpets make learning easier and more fun,” says Snow Valley Vice President and General Manager, Kevin A. Somes. “Aspiring skiers and snowboarders comfortably move up the hill like magic. So, they look forward to their next ride and are likely to stick with the sport. Mixing with experienced skiers and snowboarders on traditional lifts and runs can be very intimidating for new participants.”

About Snow Valley Mountain Resort: Home of Southern California’s only six-person chairlift, Snow Valley is located in the San Bernardino Mountains in Running Springs, CA. Snow Valley is Southern California’s most versatile ski area and Southern California’s #1 “Beginner Friendly Resort,” according to Liftopia’s “2018-2019 Best in Snow Awards.” This honor salutes Snow Valley’s fantastic Snow Sports School. Meanwhile, advanced skiers and snowboarders love Snow Valley’s Slide Peak, a legendary Southern California slope with a 35-degree pitch. Snow Valley is one of the largest resorts in the San Bernardino National Forest, with 1,041 feet of vertical drop, a summit of 7,841 feet and base at 6,800 feet -all spread across 240 acres of skiable terrain. Its longest run is one mile. Snow Valley has a lounge with full bar, food outlets, a large retail Sport Shop offering the biggest brands in snow sports, and rental and repair shops. For more information see Snow-Valley.com.

Non-skiers/snowboarders love Snow Valley Mountain Resort’s Snow Play area is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is home to So Cal’s only lift-served sledding Fridays through Sundays and holiday periods. Other days sledders walk up the hill. Sleds are always included, as are thrilling downhill sled rides. Accessories such as snow boots, gloves and waterproof pants are reasonably priced and available in the Sport Shop. Located adjacent to the base area sun deck, friends/family watch participants take part in the Snow Play adventure while enjoying some food or a drink.

Snow Play lift tickets range from $12 for Late Day non-holiday (3pm and after for all ages) to $42 on holidays, lift-serviced for full day, ages 7 and up. For all pricing, see “Tickets & Passes” at Snow-Valley.com.