Ski Resorts Attract Teens

Feb. 23 -- Increasingly, ski resorts are offering programs aimed at teenagers, in the hopes of increasing safe and responsible skiing — and grooming future customers.

Teenagers can often ski or snowboard very well, but many can use schooling in responsible techniques for going down the mountain safely.

Others are novices, with whom experts are sensitive to the importance many teens put on not looking silly. Keystone in Colorado actually has a psychologist on staff to make sure instructors are tuned into the sensibilities of various age groups.

Some programs take into account the teenage penchant for sleeping late and start later in the morning. Others offer a variety of après-ski programs.

Cool and Responsible

Ski areas such as Aspen, Colo., and Jackson Hole, Wyo., known for their challenging terrain, offer four-day extreme skiing schools — or teams (terminology can be key for teenagers, the experts note). This means learning to ski double-black diamond terrain, learning to read snow conditions, learning about avalanches, and route finding.

Popular Reads

Iran live updates: US plans to use Iranian assets to rebuild Gulf allies, source says

• 4 hours ago

Veteran actor James Handy fatally stabbed in Los Angeles, police say

• Jun 5, 7:44 PM

US conducts 'self-defense' strikes in Iran

• May 31, 11:54 PM

Aspen's extreme classes often include skiing with major ski competitors. Jackson's wind up with expeditions in that resort's famed back country. (See our main page for information on these and other resorts.)

Both programs show teens, not generally known for caution, cutting-edge skiing that is both cool and responsible.

"This age group is so conscious of the current freeskiing movement, and this gives them a chance to experience the things they see professional skiers and snowboarders doing in a safe, controlled environment," says Jim Schulz, children's manager of the Jackson Hole Ski & Snowboard School.

For the Novices

Of course, many teenagers are novices, including 70 percent of those in Keystone's programs. Aspen also has programs for first-time skiers and snowboarders.

Chris Heidebrecht, Keystone's ski and snowboard school director, says at this age, they tend to learn quickly: One lesson and they are out on the mountain putting into practice what they've just learned.