Kool Skool

Ski season started early this year, and we’re excited. Don’t panic if you haven’t signed the kids up for a ski-school program in Whistler yet—it’s not the only game in town. We found plenty of great local options to make tracks and turns for the beginner ski crowd.

Coolin’ on Cypress
Cypress Mountain normally opens the first week of December, but this year it opened on November 20. Skooters, Cypress’ camp for 3 to 6 year-olds is a 50-minute lesson for $20 (plus the cost of a lift ticket). The flexible program allows kids to sign up for what works (one hour or more at a time), and with lessons starting hourly, you can still make the morning soccer game. For peak weekends and holiday periods, pre-reserve a 2-hour lesson by calling ahead and paying a $12 reservation fee. If you think you will be heading to Cypress more than four times, we recommend the new Alpine Gold Medal Card.

Groovin’ on Grouse
Grouse Mountain’s Ski Wee program for children 3 to 6 years of age, is offered in half-day increments (9 am to 12 pm or 1 to 4 pm), starting at $57 (plus the cost of a lift ticket) and includes a snack. You can save a little cash by booking four half-day lessons upfront. Parents can ride the Skyride for free when accompanying their child to a lesson, or buy a lift ticket at a special rate. As a bonus, book your child’s lessons prior to November 30 and receive a 20% discount. And if you visit Grouse during the month of December, your lift ticket will give you access to the Peak of Christmas to visit Santa’s Workshop, meet reindeer, take a sleigh-ride, enjoy skating on an outdoor pond, listen to Christmas carols or take in the SOS Children’s Village Parade of Trees. Now that’s worth the price of a lift ticket in our minds.

Stylin’ on Seymour
Learn to slide on Mount Seymour with the Bear Cub Beginners for children aged 4 to 7, where 90-minute lessons start at $53, including the cost of a lift ticket. Snowboard lessons are offered for children starting at age five. Christmas camps, winter camps (choose five Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays or Wednesdays in January and February) and spring break camps are also great options. And the Mama or Papa Bear program allows parents to take a lesson at the same time.

Learning to ski on the local hills has so many benefits—but the best is being outdoors and embracing the winter with your family. Tested by Michelle T., Vancouver