Know Before You Go

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Where to Go

Step 1
Check-In

The first stop for all Child Group Lessons occurs at the Children’s Group Lessons building in the Northstar Village, located next to the Ice Skating Rink and Season Pass office. Please look for the Will-Call stations, set up in front of the building.

Village and Mountain Maps

All lessons require a valid lift ticket or season pass to participate. Check-in times vary by age and program. If you arrive late and cannot complete check-in prior to the check-in end time, we may not be able to accommodate you in a lesson for that day.

Ages 7-14 Group
Starts at 8:45am, must be completed by 9:15am
Ages 5-6 Max6
Starts at 9:00am, must be completed by 9:30am
Ages 3-4 Max6
Starts at 9:15am, must be completed by 9:45am

If you are a guest lodging at The Ritz-Carlton and have signed up for a Child group ski or snowboard lesson, you will need to proceed to the Village at Northstar to arrive at the Children's Ski & Snowboard School by the times listed above. Please check with your concierge for Highlands Gondola operating hours.

Step 2
Drop-off & Rental Equipment 

For your convenience, we take care of your child's rental equipment and fitting at the lesson drop-off location.

 

  • Day 1 (for children who need to pick up lesson tickets and/or rentals)
    • 3–4 year olds will be dropped off right after check-in, at the Children’s Group Lesson location. Any rental fitting will take place at this location.
    • 5–14 year olds who have reserved equipment through the Children’s Ski & Snowboard School will be dropped off right after check-in, at the Children’s Group Lesson location. Any rental fitting will take place at this location.
    • 5–14 year olds who brought their own equipment and have picked up their lesson ticket will be dropped off at The Beach, which is located near the back of the Big Springs Gondola, along Gondola Way. 
  • Day 2+ (for children who already have their lesson tickets and rentals)
    • 3–4 year olds who have their lesson tickets and are returning on a multi-day lesson reservation, will be dropped off at the Children’s Group Lesson location.
    • 5-14 year olds who have their own equipment will be dropped off at The Beach, which is located near the back of the Big Springs Gondola, along Gondola Way. 
    • 5-14 year olds returning on a multi-day lesson reservation who have rented SKI equipment, will be asked to take ski boots home after the lesson and to return in the morning with their ski boots on, ready to go.  Drop off at The Beach, which is located near the back of the Big Springs Gondola, along Gondola Way. 
    • 5-14 year olds returning on a multi-day lesson reservation who have rented SNOWBOARD equipment, will be dropped off at the Children’s Group Lesson location.  
    • Your child must have their lesson ticket and season pass or lift ticket prior to being dropped off!

PLEASE NOTE: If your child is bringing their own equipment, or has rented elsewhere, please label their skis or snowboards with first and last name!

Village and Mountain Maps

After the Lesson
Pick-Up

Children participating in lessons that run until the end of the day are all picked up at the Northstar Village Overlook, located directly above the Children’s Group Lesson building. The Overlook can be accessed via a short outdoor stairway or an indoor elevator. Pick-up times are based on lesson age group and program.  

  • 3-4 year olds: 3:00pm
  • 5-6 year olds: 3:20pm
  • 7-14 year olds: 3:40pm

Children enrolled in the AM 3-4 year old group lesson will be provided with a pick-up location during drop-off at the Children’s Group Lesson location. Pick-up time is 12:30pm.

 

Where to Go

Adult Ski & Snowboard School is located in the Northstar Village, in between The Villager Candle Shop and Inclined Burger. This location is near the back of the Big Springs Gondola along Gondola Way.

Village and Mountain Maps


Step 1
Check-In
  • Check-in first at the Adult Ski & Snowboard School in the Northstar Village to pick up your tickets and/or rental equipment.
  • If picking up a ticket and rental equipment, check-in between and no later than:
    • 8:45am – 9:00am for Half Day AM or Full Day AM + PM Lessons
    • 12:30pm – 12:45pm for Half Day PM Lessons
  • If picking up a lesson ticket only, please do so between:
    • 8:45am – 9:30am for Half Day AM or Full Day AM + PM Lessons
    • 8:45am – 1:00pm for Half Day PM Lessons
Step 2
Gondola to Mid-Mountain
  • You must have your equipment and active lift ticket or season pass with you prior to boarding the Big Springs Gondola
  • Note: You do not need to ski or snowboard to reach this location.
  • To reach Mid-Mountain, ride the Big Springs Gondola, unload at the top, and exit to the right.
  • The lesson area is just past The Lodge at Big Springs. 
Step 3
Meet Your Instructor
  • Meet your instructor at the Ski & Snowboard School Arch (skiers) or Burton Snowboard Tent (snowboarders).
  • Meet at 9:45am for Half Day AM or Full Day AM + PM Lessons.
  • Meet at 1:15pm for Half Day PM Lessons.


Pro Tips
  • Renting Ski equipment? Prior Day check-in is available from 2:30pm – 4:00pm the afternoon before scheduled ski lesson start date. Snowboarders who reserved equipment as part of their lesson package will be fitted on the day of their lesson.
  • If you are a guest lodging at The Ritz-Carlton and have signed up for an Adult Group Ski or Snowboard Lesson, you will need to proceed to the Village at Northstar to arrive at the Adult Ski & Snowboard School by the times listed above. Please check with your concierge for Highlands Gondola operating hours.
 

Where to Go

Your Private Lesson location where you will meet your instructor was selected upon booking and is listed in your confirmation email.

Village and Mountain Maps

Location Description
Northstar Village
At the base of the Big Springs Gondola by the Private Lesson office
Ritz-Carlton True North Shop
Ritz-Carlton Guests only
Main floor of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel
Mid-Mountain
Ride the Big Springs Gondola and unload at Mid-Mountain. Exit right; the lesson area is just past The Lodge at Big Springs by the Ski & Snowboard School archway.*

*You must have your equipment and lift ticket prior to boarding the Big Springs Gondola but do not need to ski or snowboard to reach this location.

 

Meeting Your Instructor
  • All lessons require a valid lift ticket or season pass to participate. Please check in at your lesson’s meeting location at least 10 minutes before the start time.
  • Arrive ready to ski or snowboard with your lift ticket/season pass and full ski/snowboard equipment.

PRO TIP: Renting equipment? Prior Day check-in is available from 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. the afternoon before your scheduled ski or snowboard private lesson start date.

 
 

What We Recommend

Get Altitude Ready:
  • If you aren’t used to being above sea level, it’s ideal to arrive a day or so early to give your body time to settle in. Regardless of when you arrive, be sure to hydrate in the days leading up to your trip and continue once you are at altitude. Hydration is key to avoiding unpleasant side effects of altitude. Once you’re here, don’t push too hard on day one, and if you feel any discomfort, move lower down the mountain and take a break.
Clothing:
  • Base Layers: These fall under snow gear to provide an extra level of insulation while keeping your skin dry from sweat. Recommended to be a tighter fit for comfort and to wear both top and bottom.
  • Eye Protection: Goggles are the preferred eye protection to protect eyes from UV light, wind, and weather. Goggles help enhance vision, providing a safer and more enjoyable experience on the mountain.
  • Neck Gaiter: This is normally a tube of fabric worn around your neck and face to protect you from sun the sun and cold conditions.
  • Snow Socks: Should go to just under the knee. Generally labelled to keep your feet warm and should be breathable.
  • Layers and/or Jacket: Based on comfort level, it is recommended to have one fleece layer and/or a snow jacket on top of your base layers.
  • Sunscreen: Even on cloudy days, it is recommended to apply sunscreen to any areas of exposed skin with high attention to the nose, lips, and neck.
  • Children: It is recommended to choose clothing in which children can slip in and out of independently for bathroom breaks.