Winter promises great times for you as a member of the High Park Ski Club. Most members take advantage of the no-charge, unlimited lessons from the Alpine Ski School. The High Park Snow School consists of 65 instructors who are certified with the Canadian Ski Instructors’ Alliance (CSIA) and the Canadian Ski Coaching Federation (CSCF). You can take a regular lesson on any weekend or mid-week day trip to improve your technique. Lessons provide opportunity to have fun, while improving your skills and making friends. Ski lessons are modelled after the CSIA STEP program that is used by many ski resorts in Canada. STEP levels range from STEP 1 (never ever skied) to STEP 9 (Expert). Lessons are based on the national ski teaching standard while promoting and teaching the importance of ski safety along with a focus on fun and meeting HPSC members. In addition to regular lessons there are many speciality programs that give you the opportunity to have fun, improve your skills in specific areas and make new friends.

Regular lessons are offered for all High Park members during most day trips. Classes are organised according to specific levels. If you have never skied with High Park before then you must be assessed by an instructor. Assessments happen during every trip about 20 minutes before lesson time. Skiers are then grouped according to ability for their lesson. If you are the type who cannot commit to a speciality program which may have several lessons in a row then regular lessons may be the way to go. Regular weekend day trips travel to Blue Mountain (Blue) and Mount St Louis/Moonstone (MSLM) while mid-week trips travel to the private ski clubs.

When and Where are lessons offered?

Ski Lessons are offered on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday day trips to Ontario destinations, on most weekend trips to Québec and U.S. destinations, and on 3 to 5-day mid-week bus trips. On day trips to Ontario destinations, classes are offered for all levels of skiers from S.T.E.P. 4 and up. Lessons for S.T.E.P. 1, 2 and 3 are offered on regular day trips to Mt. St. Louis, as well as our full day Members Clinic in December and on all party trips.

Beginner lessons start right at the bus as we assist you through the equipment rental process, and stay with you throughout the morning and into the afternoon, to ensure you’re comfortable making beginner turns and using the lift.

Regular lessons on Wednesday Day trips run from 10:20 a.m. until noon.

Weekend Day trip lessons normally run from 10:20 a.m. until noon at Mount St Louis Moonstone, and from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Blue Mountain. Please arrive 10 minutes early for line-up and lesson organization. If you sign up for a special program, check with your program organizer to ensure that you do not miss a class.

On weekend trips, classes are offered for skiers having S.T.E.P. 4 ability or better and normally run from 9:20 a.m. until noon. (Final details will be announced on the bus.)