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Vail Ski and Snowboard School

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 Vail, 81657

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About

Vail Ski & Snowboard School is the resort's own lesson program, run by Vail Resorts, and it covers everything from a three-year-old's first morning on snow to private days with an instructor for strong skiers. Lessons meet at two bases, Golden Peak on the east side of Vail Village and Lionshead to the west, and you choose the base when you book.

It is the obvious starting point for families with young children, first-timers, and anyone who wants a guide to a mountain this size. Snowboarders are taught at every level too, and Vail runs adaptive, Nordic and season-long programs alongside the daily lessons.

Children

Child group lessons are split by age: 3 to 4, 5 to 6, and 7 to 15. Children meet in the lobbies of two dedicated children's centers, one across the upper parking lot from the Golden Peak Lodge and one in Lionshead Square. Full-day child group lessons include lunch, and parents check children in through the My Epic app, which also sends lesson and photo updates. Helmets are required for children.

Adults and private lessons

Adult group lessons, for ages 16 and up, meet on snow at Golden Peak between the bases of Chair 6 and Chair 12, or straight across from the Eagle Bahn Gondola entrance in Lionshead. Private lessons start earlier and suit families who want to ski together, or anyone working on something specific. Start times for every lesson type are in the FAQ.

Booking and costs

Book online ahead of time, when Vail offers its lowest lesson prices. Lessons do not include lift tickets or rentals, but both can be added at a discount when you buy a group lesson. Epic Pass holders get an extra 20% off group lessons through Epic Mountain Rewards, and a child's third consecutive day of group lessons is 20% off. Cancel at least 48 hours ahead for a full refund.

Rentals near the meeting points

Allow an hour before a lesson if you still need gear. Vail's own rental shops sit close to both bases: Vail Sports - Golden Peak on Vail Valley Drive and Vail Sports at the Arrabelle in Lionshead.

Sources: Vail lessons, arrival and preparation, Vail Sports, 2026-27 opening dates. Checked September 23, 2026.

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Company Name
Vail Ski and Snowboard School
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Location
Multiple base locations: Vail Village and Lionshead
Vail, 81657

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About Vail Ski and Snowboard School

Quick answer: Vail Ski and Snowboard School is a business at Multiple base locations: Vail Village and Lionshead, Vail, CO 81657. Vail Ski & Snowboard School: kids' and adult group lessons and privates at Golden Peak and Lionshead, with times, discounts and booking tips.

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Vail Ski & Snowboard School is the resort's own lesson program, run by Vail Resorts, and it covers everything from a three-year-old's first morning on snow to private days with an instructor for strong skiers. Lessons meet at two bases, Golden Peak on the east side of Vail Village and Lionshead to the west, and you choose the base when you book.

It is the obvious starting point for families with young children, first-timers, and anyone who wants a guide to a mountain this size. Snowboarders are taught at every level too, and Vail runs adaptive, Nordic and season-long programs alongside the daily lessons.

Children

Child group lessons are split by age: 3 to 4, 5 to 6, and 7 to 15. Children meet in the lobbies of two dedicated children's centers, one across the upper parking lot from the Golden Peak Lodge and one in Lionshead Square. Full-day child group lessons include lunch, and parents check children in through the My Epic app, which also sends lesson and photo updates. Helmets are required for children.

Adults and private lessons

Adult group lessons, for ages 16 and up, meet on snow at Golden Peak between the bases of Chair 6 and Chair 12, or straight across from the Eagle Bahn Gondola entrance in Lionshead. Private lessons start earlier and suit families who want to ski together, or anyone working on something specific. Start times for every lesson type are in the FAQ.

Booking and costs

Book online ahead of time, when Vail offers its lowest lesson prices. Lessons do not include lift tickets or rentals, but both can be added at a discount when you buy a group lesson. Epic Pass holders get an extra 20% off group lessons through Epic Mountain Rewards, and a child's third consecutive day of group lessons is 20% off. Cancel at least 48 hours ahead for a full refund.

Rentals near the meeting points

Allow an hour before a lesson if you still need gear. Vail's own rental shops sit close to both bases: Vail Sports - Golden Peak on Vail Valley Drive and Vail Sports at the Arrabelle in Lionshead.

Sources: Vail lessons, arrival and preparation, Vail Sports, 2026-27 opening dates. Checked September 23, 2026.

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Business Hours

Open daily · 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Amenities at Vail Ski and Snowboard School

  • Group lessons
  • Private lessons
  • Children's centers at both bases
  • My Epic app check-in
  • Adaptive program

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do lessons meet?
At one of two bases; you choose when you book, and your confirmation email names the base, the exact meeting point and the start time. Children meet inside the children's centers: the Golden Peak Children's Center, across the upper parking lot from Golden Peak Lodge, or the Lionshead Children's Center in Lionshead Square, across from the Rossignol Performance Center. Adults meet on snow at Golden Peak, between the bases of Chair 6 and Chair 12, or in Lionshead across from the Eagle Bahn Gondola (#19) entrance. This is Vail Mountain's resort lesson program, not the Vail Ski & Snowboard Academy in Minturn, which is a school for student-athletes and sells no day lessons.
What time do lessons start and finish?
Children: half day for ages 3 to 4 runs 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.; full day runs 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for ages 3 to 6 and 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for ages 7 to 15. Adults: half days run 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 1 to 3:30 p.m.; a full day runs 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Private lessons: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., 12:45 to 3:45 p.m., or a full day from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Epic Ascent privates (Q4) can choose their start time and place.
What ages can take lessons, and what do children need?
Child group lessons are split by age, 3 to 4, 5 to 6, and 7 to 15, and adult group lessons are for ages 16 and up, in skiing and snowboarding, from first-timer to advanced. All children must be potty trained to take part. A parent or legal guardian must be there at both drop-off and pick-up, and the emergency contact you list must be reachable throughout the lesson.
How do private lessons work in 2026/27?
Every private lesson at Vail this winter is an Epic Ascent private: one booking covers you or a group of up to six people at the same price, with a dedicated concierge to arrange dining reservations, transport and a custom ski-day itinerary, white-glove rental fitting (or gear delivered to your lodging at no extra cost), skip-the-lift-line access, and your choice of when and where the lesson begins. Book online as a request: the lesson is confirmed only when the school emails your confirmation, and your card is not charged until then, if no confirmation arrives at least 24 hours before your start time, contact the school.
Are lift tickets and rentals included?
No. A lesson includes professional instruction only, and every participant needs their own lift access (an Epic Pass or a lift ticket) and their own skis or snowboard. When you buy a group lesson you can add lift tickets and rentals at a discounted rate. Full-day children's group lessons include lunch; private lessons, adult groups and everyone else bring or buy their own food.
What discounts are there on lessons?
Three, and they stack where the terms allow. Epic Pass holders save 20% on group lessons with Epic Mountain Rewards. Booking consecutive group days direct on vail.com saves a further 20%, for adults from the second consecutive day onward, for children from the third consecutive day onward (select lessons and periods, through the end of the 2026/27 season). And buying online in advance gets the operator's best lesson rates. Lesson prices themselves are date-based and shown at booking on vail.com.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancel 48 hours or more before your lesson starts for a full refund. Inside 48 hours the fee is 50%, of the lesson for a single day, or of the first day only on a multi-day booking, with the remaining days fully refunded. One exception: a late cancellation due to personal illness or injury is refunded in full (the school may ask for medical documentation). Changes and cancellations are made only through the school itself, by phone or email. Lessons are not cancelled for weather while the resort is operating, and weather alone does not earn a refund.
How early should we arrive, and what if we are late?
Be at your meeting point at least 15 minutes before the start, and allow 60 minutes if you still need to pick up rentals. Go to the base on your confirmation email: arriving at the wrong base, or late, can mean missing the lesson entirely, and under the school's terms, if a late arrival cannot be placed or rescheduled that day, there is no refund.
What should we bring?
Your lift pass or ticket and your skis or snowboard, both are required to take part. Helmets are required for all children in lessons. Dress in layers with warm, waterproof outerwear, gloves or mittens, and goggles or sunglasses; sunscreen is strongly recommended at this altitude. The school has no clothing or helmets to borrow or rent, so arrive equipped. Parents can follow a child's group lesson in the My Epic app: digital check-in, real-time lesson and photo updates, and skill-progress badges.
How do I book, and when does the season run?
Book online at vail.com (the channel for the best advance rates and the multi-day discount), by phone on (970) 754-4300, or by email at [email protected]. Lessons run through the winter season: Vail Mountain's planned opening day is Friday, November 13, 2026, conditions permitting, and the school publishes no separate first-lesson date. Season-long programs for 2026/27 opened to new participants in September 2026, after returning participants registered first, so some programs may already be full.

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