New to Skiing & Snowboarding

Welcome to Mount Washington and your entry to the exciting new world of snow sports! Don’t be scared- everybody was a beginner at some time. Just remember it’s never too late to learn. Whether it’s to spend more time with your family, expand your active lifestyle, hang out with your friends or just to spend some time above the clouds, the possibilities are endless. With the following tips we will help you to create the best skiing or snowboarding experience possible.

SKIING OR SNOWBOARDING

Everyone has their own opinion on which they like better, skiing or snowboarding. However ultimately the decision is yours to make. Later on you may decide to do both as many of us do. Just remember you can always change your mind! To start choose something that you think you will be comfortable with, remember this is all about having fun. Once you choose you can create your plan of attack.

GET UP AND GEAR UP!

Wake up and get excited! Make sure you drink some fluids and get some breakfast. Your body will need the energy later. Do some stretches to loosen up your back and leg muscles. Skiing and snowboarding is going to make you use muscles you never knew you had. RELAX this is not work or school. It’s all about having fun and learning something new.
Listen to the weather forecast but remember Mount Washington weather can change rapidly. Be prepared for any conditions. If you have time organize your gear the night before. When you get dressed think layers. Proper layering starts with good thermals that keep you warm and wick away moisture. Try to avoid cotton. Next we suggest a lightweight, breathable fleece to help keep you warm and dry. Best part is, if it gets to warm you can always ditch it. Wear a jacket and pants that are both wind and water resistant this will not only make your day more enjoyable but also help you to focus on all the important things like perfecting those turns on your skis and boards. Whether it's sunny or snowing we always suggest you have something on your eyes. Goggles work best as they can protect your eyes in all conditions. If you missing something stop by the Express Rentals Centre in the Bradley Centre
If you feel like you are missing a few of these things in your wardrobe or you just plain forgot them at home. Visit Altitude Sport and Gift located in the main lodge. There you can get suited up in all the latest trends and necessities for your first day on the hill.
Lastly, don’t forget to wear a helmet. Not only will it keep your head warm but it will also keep it protected. Helmets are included in all Discover ski, snowboard and kids programs.

RENTALS

Open at 8am daily, the Express Rentals Centre in the Bradley Centre is located just below the main lodge. Here our rentals technicians will get you suited up in the best rental equipment designed by Rossignol and Burton specifically for beginners. Try to be early as the Bradley Centre can get quite busy especially on weekends and holidays. You can save yourself some time and pick up your rentals at 3pm the night before at no extra charge that way you can hit the slopes first thing in the morning.
When filling out your rentals forms you will be asked your height, weight and shoe size. This information is used to select the appropriate gear and fit for your needs. Don’t worry no one is judging anything.
When trying on boots remember comfortable feet are key. That means only one pair of socks. Wearing more pairs will not keep your feet any warmer and can cause pressure points in your boots which can become very uncomfortable throughout the day.
If you are snowboarding you will be asked if you are left foot forward or right foot forward. If you have no idea, consider how you would slide across the floor. Whichever foot is in front will decide if you are left or right foot forward. If you have any questions or concerns about the gear and how it should fit, our friendly rentals technicians will be happy to help you.

LESSONS

A good lesson can take you from an alright day on the hill to an amazing one! Mount Washington Snow School has many different lesson options to suit your individual needs. Private lessons are an excellent way to kick start your day with 2 hrs of one on one instruction and feedback. We also offer Discover skiing and snowboarding packages which include rentals, a Easy Acres lift ticket and a 2 hr beginner group lesson. We keep our class sizes small to ensure quality lessons. Ask about our Learn to Turn program new for the 2010-2011 season!

When it's time to meet for your lesson, don’t be shy. Get to know your instructor and fill him/her in on anything that you think may be important. Never tried it, tried it once with a friend, had a previous knee injury, afraid of the chairlifts, etc. This is all important information that will help your instructor create a better experience for you. Also get to know the other people in your lesson. Chances are they might be a little nervous too. If you’re getting tired, rest for a minute and watch and learn. You can learn a lot from watching other beginners find their balance.