Sun Valley Resort, entering its 75th winter season, has made a major change in its popular ski and snowboard instruction clinics for young students and local adults.
The "Spud Sessions," formerly known as the Blaine County Kids Program, and the Local Adult Clinics are bigger and better than ever, the resort said. They will now be held in three different sessions from January through March instead of just in January.
Kids clinics, now open to all Idaho children in kindergarten through sixth grade, are part of a broad range of ski and snowboard classes that Sun Valley Resort is giving in 2011, including popular Local Adult Clinics.
"Spud Sessions," though newly named, are being held for the 34th consecutive winter at Sun Valley. Many kids have learned the basics of skiing with the discounted program.
The first "Spud Session" in January includes weekend instruction on Jan. 8-9, Jan. 15-16 and Jan. 22-23. The second session runs Jan. 29-30, Feb. 5-6 and Feb. 12-13. The third and final session is Feb. 26-27, March 5-6 and March 12-13.
Ski instruction is limited to the first 150 skiers per morning or afternoon sessions, and only 100 snowboarders will be accepted into the program. The cost of $150 per person includes lessons as well as lift tickets for all six days of each session.
Morning classes start at 9 a.m. and conclude by 11:30 a.m. Afternoon classes go from 12:30-3 p.m. Regular Sun Valley Snow Sports instructors provide the teaching at substantial savings compared to the cost of regular children's clinic rates and lift passes at the resort.
Registration started Nov. 25 at River Run Lodge (parents should sign up in person, kids don't need to attend) and continues for each session until the Thursday prior to the first clinic. For instance, the signup cutoff date is Thursday, Jan. 6 for Jan. 8-9 opening weekend.
No late registrations will be accepted and grade eligibility exceptions won't be allowed. Children are put in classes based on ability. But, regardless of ability, all kids meet at Dollar Lodge at 8:30 a.m. on the first morning. Advanced skiers and boarders will move to Baldy the next day, Sunday.
Snowboard instruction is offered for kids 6 and older only. Sun Valley asks that parents be prompt in picking up their children after the classes. There will be no supervision of children after the classes end.
Call 622-2289 for details.
Local Adult Clinics
The Sun Valley Snow Sports School for the 30th consecutive year is offering local adult ski and snowboard lessons.
Clinics are separated into adult intermediate/advanced levels, as well as the Local Adult Beginner Clinics for both skiers and snowboarders.
The clinics for competent Baldy skiers/snowboarders are held for three consecutive Saturdays in each of three sessions. The cost of $120 per person does not include the price of lift tickets. Lesson tickets are not sold on a single-day basis.
First session is Jan. 8, 15 and 22. The second session is Jan. 29, Feb. 5 and Feb. 12. The third session is Feb. 26, March 5 and March 12. Instruction is from 1-4 p.m. on each of the three lesson days.
Intermediate/advanced skiers and boarders meet at River Run Lodge. Beginner skiers and boarders meet at Dollar Mountain. People can take one session or take up to all three sessions.
Participants must register in person at River Run Lodge, 622-2289. Check the sunvalley.com website for more instructional offerings this winter season.
