Bear Mountain’s snow sports education programs are focused on keeping the experience simple, fun and personal, so that each individual has the opportunity to enjoy a complete mountain experience. At the region’s largest beginner area, first-timers and novices enjoy more room to learn as well as more freedom to practice their new skills with less sense of being inhibited by time restrictions. The self-paced program begins at the base area where instructors are available to assist students in the equipment rental and fitting process. A quick base area learning session, to familiarize students with their new gear and the on-hill learning program specifics, is a prelude to loading on a shuttle bus that takes students to the top of the beginner area. The shuttle gives first-timers an opportunity to learn the basics before loading and unloading the chair lift. Once first-timers are ready, they can get to the top quickly and safely with use of the Access Express high-speed detachable quad chair lift that speeds up the hill but slows to a crawl for loading and unloading.

Bear Mountain’s teaching programs take new skiers and riders on a self-paced progression through multiple learning zones. Specific new skills are taught at each zone. Coaches with specialized skills are stationed in the corresponding zone to work with students until they grasp a command of the skill and a comfort level that allows them to progress on to the next zone. Students will also find a variety of “Smart Terrain” features that are contoured into the learning zones.

The features are designed to guide students into a variety of natural learning progressions. The downhill slope of the beginner area gently leads into uphill snow ramps to keep students from gaining too much momentum. S and J shape banked turns guide students into natural turning while Two-foot U-shaped ditches, also known as miniature half-pipes, teach the basics of maneuvering through natural trail slopes.

Beginner skiers and snowboarders are encouraged to take a series of lessons and continue to progress in the sport.

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