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Cataloochee Ski Area Ski School lessons for skiing and snowboarding
Finding the right place for you!

Take a minute to evaluate where your skills are according to this guide. Don't hesitate to ask for assistance. We're here to make your skiing experience fun!

Level One: First skiing experience
You have:
Never skied before. Have fun!
Outcome: Learn basic balance, stopping, and slight turning. Possibly learn to ride the moving carpet lift.

Level Two: Better basics
You have:
Mastered the basics of balance.
Outcome: Learn how to stop and develop slight turns. Learn how to ride the beginner chairlift.

Level Three: Wedge turning
You can:
Make wedge turns on the easiest slopes and can ride the beginner chair lift.
Outcome: Develop a skidded finish.

Level Four: Advance to Parallel
You can:
Bring your skis slightly parallel as you finish a turn. You feel comfortable skiing some easy intermediate terrain.
Outcome: To develop earlier matching of your skis in a turn. You can feel confident skiing on intermediate terrain.

Level Five: Basic Parallel
You can:
Bring your skis parallel at the beginning of your turn and feel comfortable on all intermediate terrain.
Outcome: To improve your rhythm and control. Possibly learn to develop and improve the pole swing.

Level Six: Advanced Parallel
You can:
Make good parallel turns with a pole plant. You feel comfortable on all intermediate terrain and some smooth, groomed black diamond terrain.
Outcome: Develop short, rhythmic carved turns on intermediate terrain and possibly a groomed black diamond.

Level Seven: The Fine Tuned Turn
You can:
Ski on all terrain comfortably.
Outcome: To "fine tune" your turns by focusing on prevailing conditions - MASTER the mountain.


Welcome to the Cataloochee Ski & Snowboard School

Cataloochee is a great mountain for learning to ski or snowboard. Two dedicated learning areas – Beginner's Luck and Wolf Creek Hollow with their Moving Carpet Lifts – are isolated from the main trails so you can relax on the forgiving terrain and focus on building your skills. As a bonus, ski school participants have their own lift lines during lessons for more time on the slopes.

We are pleased to offer fun and effective programs for all ages, ability levels and needs. Skiers and boarders from beginner to expert, and from three to eighty, have learned to ski / ride or improved their skills through the Cataloochee Ski & Snowboard school. Whether you choose a Learn-to-ski program or our bump clinic, all incorporate our highly acclaimed teaching techniques and focus on individualized goals.

The Cataloochee Ski & Snowboard School is a member school of the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA). Many of our pros are certified through PSIA where they receive additional training. Our friendly pros will insure that all students feel at ease no matter what their level.



John Cossaboom
Ski School Director
skischool@cataloochee.com


Cataloochee is proud to be a P.S.I.A. member school
Cataloochee Ski Area's PSIA member Ski & Snowboard School teaches everything from the basics for novices to new techniques for experts. We furnish class lessons or private instruction for all levels of ability of both skiers and snow boarders. The instructors in our children's programs are specially selected and trained to provide the best beginning and learning experience possible. All lessons involving the use of our ski lifts include the use of our "Ski School Lift Lines" maximizing your on slope time. Our goal is to help you, your family or group to make the most out of your skiing experience.


Lessons

Class Lessons
In a class lesson you are matched with other skiers or boarders at your skill level and placed with a certified ski or snowboard instructor. Lessons are available for all skill levels. Class lesson are for age eight and above and last 1 1/2 hours.
Daily class times: 10:00 a.m., 12 noon, 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
*ages 8 and above.

Class Lesson Rates
Program
Each Skier
Additional Skier
1 1/2 Hour
$20
N/A

Private Lessons
If you want the individual attention you deserve and an opportunity to build skills at a quicker rate, a private lesson is the answer, whether you’re a true beginner or an expert looking to take your skiing or riding to new heights. Your personal ski or snowboard instructor will customize a lesson based on your ability level and specific goals for the day. Private lesson times run from one hour to an entire day – you choose. A limited number of private lessons are available at 8:30 a.m. on Saturdays and holidays. Visit the Ski School webpage at www.cataloochee.com/school for reservation information.

Private Lesson Rates
Program
Private
Additional Skier
1 Hour
$50 $20 each
2 Hours $80 $20 each
3 Hours (Half Day) $110 $20 each
Half Hour** $25 N/A
Family Private***
$110 $20 each
6 Hour (Full Day)
$200
$20 each
** For children under age 4.
*** 2 hours for 2 people, any level, any age.
Prices above include lesson only
Students must purchase appropriate lift ticket separately.


Children's Programs

Our instructors’ passion for their sport is contagious, especially when it comes to kids. The patient Ski School staff specializes in teaching kids 4-12 the ins and outs of skiing and snowboarding with safety always at the forefront. Children’s Ski School programs are divided into three categories: Catt Trackers provides ski instruction for ages 4-7. Catt Explorers teaches all levels of skiing or snowboarding for ages 8-12.

All children's instruction is carried out under the direction of our dedicated and professionally trained staff. Each instructor possessing special skills in teaching children from ages four to twelve. Our Cat Tracker's (skiers ages 4-7) and Cat Explorer's (skiers ages 8-12) and Cat Explorer's (snow boarders ages 8-12) programs are perfect for children at all levels of ability. Please call: 1-800-768-0285 or (828) 926-0285 for information.

Cat Trackers (skiers ages 4-7)
All Day*
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
$80
Half day**
10:00 a.m. to 12:30
& 1:30 to 4:00 p.m.
$60

Cat Explorers (skiers ages 8-12)
All Day*
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
$80
Half day**
10:00 a.m. to 12:30
& 1:30 to 4:00 p.m.
$60

Cat Explorers (snowboarders ages 8-12)
All Day*
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
$90
Half day**
10:00 a.m. to 12:30
& 1:30 to 4:00 p.m.
$70
* All Day prices include lift, rental and lunch.
** Half Day prices include lift, rental and beverage break.

Space is limited. Please arrive early and allow 30 minutes for registration. Register for morning and all day programs by 9:00 a.m. Register for afternoon programs by 1:00 p.m.
Registration times and age requirements are strictly observed.

Our Catt Trackers and Catt Explorers program will also offer extended night session hours from 5pm until 7:30pm during night skiing sessions from December 27 through December 31, 2007 and every Saturday evening during January and February.

Classes for all skiing abilities are similar to adult classes with some special differences to meet the needs of both kids and parents.

Our ski and snowboard instructors are specially trained to teach children by creating a safe, supportive learning environment. Children who are first time skiers or riders will receive instruction on equipment handling, ski area safety, and basic on snow skills such as walking, gliding, stopping, and turning. Riding the lift will not be introduced to beginner Catt Trackers during a half day program. Children who are level 2 skiers and above will be introduced to the slopes on the mountain, perfecting their turns through creative play and enhancing their skills.

Space for all programs is limited and filled on a first come first served basis.

Please contact our ski school desk at: 1-800-768-0285 or (828) 926-0285 for information.


Special Clinics & Programs

The Cataloochee Ski & Snowboard School offers these specials every Monday thru Thursday, non-holiday, beginning January 2, 2007:

Men's and Ladies' Days
Beginning January 6th, every Tuesday is Men's Day and every Thursday is Ladie’s Day at Cataloochee and all guys or gals will receive a FREE any level lesson when purchasing an adult lift ticket for the day, twilight or night skiing session.

Women on Wednesdays (WOW)
Starting January 14, a six week Learn-to-Slide program for women, taught by women. You can choose either a skiing or snowboarding track. The program runs from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with a two-hour clinic at 10 a.m. The complete lift, ski rental and instruction package is $170; for lift and instruction only, $150. The complete lift, snowboard rental and instruction package is $185; for lift and instruction only, $150. Advanced reservations required. Participants in WOW can enroll their children, ages 4-7, in a morning session of Catt Trackers at a special rate of $185 for six weeks.


Learn to Snowboard!

Yes, you CAN learn to board! Your Cataloochee Ski & Snowboard Pro will get you started off on the right (or left!) foot by matching you with the board and stance that is correct for you. Then, you’ll use familiar movements that can build the basis for boarding with style. Once you have mastered the basics, our pros will introduce new skills that will get you cruising the entire mountain. All Ski & Snowboard School participants have access to the "Ski School Lift Lines," maximizing your slope time. Clinics last 1 1/2 hours and have no more than seven students per class.
Daily Clinic Times: 10:00 a.m., 12 noon, 2:00 p.m.,
4:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., and 7:00 p.m.
Clinic Fees: $20.00 per person


School Credit Programs

Earn credit while learning to ski! The Cataloochee Ski & Snowboard School offers several programs to colleges and other schools for course credit toward snow skiing. There are a variety of packages available for both day and night sessions. Programs are designed to meet individual college or school's physical education curriculum.

Please contact Ski School director John Cossaboom at: 1-800-768-0285 or (828) 926-0285 or email: skischool@cataloochee.com for additional information.

Rates subject to change.
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