USA TODAY 10Best
Learn from the best at the top 10 ski schools in North America
Best Ski School (2024)
Even the most dazzlingly talented skiers had to start somewhere, and ski schools are a tried-and-true path to mastering the fundamentals. Top-tier ski schools bring together friendly and experienced instructors, varied terrain, the right equipment, and an eye towards safety.
USA TODAY 10Best assembled a panel of ski experts to nominate their top picks for ski schools, and readers voted for their favorites to determine the winners. Here are the 10 best ski schools across North America.
- Palisades Tahoe Ski & Snowboard School - Olympic Valley, California
- Copper Mountain Ski & Ride School - Copper Mountain, Colorado
- Mammoth Mountain Ski & Snowboard School - Mammoth Lakes, California
- Ski and Ride School at Solitude Mountain Resort - Solitude, Utah
- Brundage MTN Sports School - Brundage Mountain, Idaho
- Lake Louise Snow School - Lake Louise, Alberta
- Ski School at Snowbird - Snowbird, Utah
- The Snow School at Banff Sunshine Village - Banff, Alberta
- Telus Winter Sports School at Kimberley Alpine Resort - Kimberley, British Columbia
- Ernie Blake Snowsports School - Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico
Photo courtesy of Palisades Tahoe
No. 10:
Palisades Tahoe Ski & Snowboard School allows ski students to choose to start from The Alpine Lodge or The Village. Ski classes are grouped by ages and there are a number of options for both group, private, and family lessons. First-timers can tap into a Learn to Ski special (Alpine Lodge only).
Photo courtesy of Copper Mountain
No. 9:
Colorado’s Copper Mountain Ski & Ride School not only offers group and private lessons but can also accommodate family lessons and adult clinics. Both youth group lessons and seasonal programs are open to kids ages 3-17. Adaptive lessons are also available, provided by the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center.
Photo courtesy of Mammoth Mountain
No. 8:
Mammoth offers first-time, beginner, intermediate, and advanced lessons for ages 3 and older. They also offer childcare on-site so that adults can enjoy lessons as well. For skiers with disabilities or unique needs, there is also an adaptive ski program. Check out a camp to really amp up your ski skills, too.
Photo courtesy of Solitude Mountain Resort
No. 7:
Renowned for their kind, patient instructors, the Ski and Ride School at Solitude offers lessons for all ages, stages, and levels. Their extensive options for younger skiers include lessons for first-timers, recurring Cruiser classes so kids can develop their skills alongside new friends, and the more advanced and season-long Team Solitude lessons. The school's half-day group and private lessons are tailored by skill level and lesson type.
Photo courtesy of Brundage Mountain
No. 6:
The MTN Sports School at Brundage Mountain Resort welcomes skiers and snowboarders ages 3 to 6 to enroll in their Tiny Tracks lessons, and they even allow parents who can already ski to join the lesson at no cost. Those over age 7 can take a private lesson — individual or group — for a half day (3 hours) or a full day (6 hours).
Photo courtesy of Lake Louise Ski Resort
No. 5:
Operating out of Canada’s Lake Louise Ski Resort, this snow school allows skiers to book its “Adult First Track Lessons,” which provides a private lesson 30 minutes before the slopes open to the public (and allows you to bring a friend for no extra charge). They also offer adult group and private lessons for age 13 and above, as well as kids lessons for ages 5 and up.
Photo courtesy of Snowbird / Otto Solberg
No. 4:
The Ski School at Snowbird offers a range of incredible snowsports lessons, as well as ski camps and even an avalanche school. Multi-week programs for kids and adults help skiers advance their skills rapidly. Once these abilities have been developed, thrill seekers can have a private guided experience that includes cat skiing and heliskiing.
Photo courtesy of Banff Sunshine Village
No. 3:
Banff Sunshine Village is where you’ll find this snow school for skiers and snowboarders that offers everything from small group workshops to private sessions. And if participants don’t feel their lesson properly prepared them to ski Banff’s terrain, another lesson is provided at no charge. They also conduct classes for people with adaptive accessibility needs.
Photo courtesy of Resorts of the Canadian Rockies Inc.
No. 2:
In addition to ski and snowboard classes for children and adults, the Telus Winter Sports School at Kimberley Alpine Resort also offers a First Tracks guided tour, which includes early access up the mountain with a ski pro guide. From half-day to multi-week programs, Telus’ lineup ranges from private to group to family lessons.
Photo courtesy of Taos Ski Valley, Inc.
No. 1:
While Ernie Blake has full-day and half-day lessons like most ski resorts, they also offer ski weeks — each with a different theme. Choose from women’s week, race week, snowboard week, and more. There’s also childcare for adults who want to take a lesson without any little ones in tow.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Chez Chesak
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor... Read More
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com.
Chez Chesak
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com.
Constance Beverley
A former Wall Street lawyer turned winter sports... Read More
A former Wall Street lawyer turned winter sports activist, Constance Beverley joined the Share Winter Foundation as the CEO in 2017. Share Winter Foundation strives to (1) improve the lives, health and fitness of youth through winter sports, and (2) create a more diverse and inclusive winter sports community. In addition to her work with the Share Winter Foundation, Constance has worked with other winter sports organizations including the Kelly Clark Foundation, SheJumps, STOKED, and Boarding for Breast Cancer.
Constance Beverley
A former Wall Street lawyer turned winter sports activist, Constance Beverley joined the Share Winter Foundation as the CEO in 2017. Share Winter Foundation strives to (1) improve the lives, health and fitness of youth through winter sports, and (2) create a more diverse and inclusive winter sports community. In addition to her work with the Share Winter Foundation, Constance has worked with other winter sports organizations including the Kelly Clark Foundation, SheJumps, STOKED, and Boarding for Breast Cancer.
David Muther
My name is David Muther. I was born in Springfield... Read More
My name is David Muther. I was born in Springfield Vermont in 1985. I spent 4 years and 5 days in the US Navy onboard the USA Abraham Lincoln. I grew up spending my time in ski school since my grandmother ran the kitchen at Okemo Mountain. I started snowboarding the day they allowed it on the hill when I was 10 years old. At 15 I started teaching snowboarding to kids. And I've been teaching ever since. I now live in Lake Tahoe where I make snowboarding content and do my best to help people learn not only on the hill but through social media. Online I go by @Halfcabking.
David Muther
My name is David Muther. I was born in Springfield Vermont in 1985. I spent 4 years and 5 days in the US Navy onboard the USA Abraham Lincoln. I grew up spending my time in ski school since my grandmother ran the kitchen at Okemo Mountain. I started snowboarding the day they allowed it on the hill when I was 10 years old. At 15 I started teaching snowboarding to kids. And I've been teaching ever since. I now live in Lake Tahoe where I make snowboarding content and do my best to help people learn not only on the hill but through social media. Online I go by @Halfcabking.
Kristen Lummis
Kristen Lummis is a freelance writer based in... Read More
Kristen Lummis is a freelance writer based in Western Colorado. The mom of two now-adult sons, Lummis broke into her writing career through snowsports, founding the website braveskimom.com in 2010 to provide family-friendly tips across a full range of winter topics. And while skiing is Lummis’ first true outdoor love, she grew up camping, hiking, biking, kayaking and traveling extensively with her family — pursuits that she continues today. She prides herself on unbiased opinions, based on activities and destinations she’s visited and experienced. Lummis is honored to be considered an “expert” for 10Best. Follow her @braveskimom on Instagram and Facebook.
Kristen Lummis
Kristen Lummis is a freelance writer based in Western Colorado. The mom of two now-adult sons, Lummis broke into her writing career through snowsports, founding the website braveskimom.com in 2010 to provide family-friendly tips across a full range of winter topics. And while skiing is Lummis’ first true outdoor love, she grew up camping, hiking, biking, kayaking and traveling extensively with her family — pursuits that she continues today. She prides herself on unbiased opinions, based on activities and destinations she’s visited and experienced. Lummis is honored to be considered an “expert” for 10Best. Follow her @braveskimom on Instagram and Facebook.
Mimi Slawoff
Mimi Slawoff is a Los Angeles-based travel... Read More
Mimi Slawoff is a Los Angeles-based travel journalist whose childhood summers in Europe fueled her passion for travel and learning about other cultures. A former Los Angeles newspaper reporter, Mimi writes about outdoor adventures, cruising, cultural attractions, hidden gems, and travel tips for AAA and numerous print and digital publications. She is also the author of Oldest Los Angeles (Reedy Press, 2022). Mimi is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers and the North American Snowsports Journalists Association. Follow her on X @Mimitravelz and Instagram @Mimitravels.
Mimi Slawoff
Mimi Slawoff is a Los Angeles-based travel journalist whose childhood summers in Europe fueled her passion for travel and learning about other cultures. A former Los Angeles newspaper reporter, Mimi writes about outdoor adventures, cruising, cultural attractions, hidden gems, and travel tips for AAA and numerous print and digital publications. She is also the author of Oldest Los Angeles (Reedy Press, 2022). Mimi is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers and the North American Snowsports Journalists Association. Follow her on X @Mimitravelz and Instagram @Mimitravels.
SnowBrains
Built to Inspire, SnowBrains is the best source of... Read More
Built to Inspire, SnowBrains is the best source of intelligent ski & ride news, editorials, weather, photos, and videos. Our goal is to keep you, our friends, informed in a smart and easily digestible way. Connect with SnowBrains on Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter, Threads, YouTube, TikTok, Linkedin or the podcast app.
SnowBrains
Built to Inspire, SnowBrains is the best source of intelligent ski & ride news, editorials, weather, photos, and videos. Our goal is to keep you, our friends, informed in a smart and easily digestible way. Connect with SnowBrains on Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter, Threads, YouTube, TikTok, Linkedin or the podcast app.
