5 Reasons You Will Love the Epic SchoolKids Ski Program at Park City

We are so excited at the Epic SchoolKids ski program. If you live in Utah, you must check it out at Park City Mountain. We have always loved spending time in Park City and know that people come from all over the world to enjoy it’s beauty all year round. We were able to experience the program for ourselves this last weekend and we are already looking forward to next season. Registration is now open for the 2017-2018 season, and if you are scheduling some winter fun, now is the time to take advantage of this awesome opportunity.

There are so many reasons why we loved this program, but here are our top 5.

1.Free First Timers Lesson With Rental

For children ages K-5th grade you can enjoy a free first-timer lesson and ski equipment rental! This includes your skis/snowboard, boots and helmet. Remember to come equipped with your own hat, gloves, goggles, and warm coat/pants. After check in your child will be fitted for boots, measured for the correct size of ski or snowboard, and given a helmet that fits just right. We went on a blustery day and didn’t realize that you need to bring your own goggles. Thankfully they had enough in the lost and found that we were able to borrow some, but it is best if you come with your own.

Our children made it to level two by their first day. After talking with the staff, it is typically best that your kids go through three lessons to really feel like they have a hold on things. This gets them to the point where you could easily pick up the pieces and progress in lessons of the basics.

Jackson was determined to try snowboarding even though I warned him that it can be a little trickier than skiing. Despite multiple falls, he pulled through and was carving with his toe and heel edge by the end of the day. I don’t think I could say that after snowboarding my first day! I was really impressed with his teacher as well, he was upbeat and so encouraging, I think it made the process so much more fun for him.

Jackson said, “I had so much fun! I was surprised how far I got and I really liked my teacher.”

2. 5 free ski days (No purchase necessary)

After enjoying their first day you can bring your kids back four more times for FREE! This is the only ski resort in Utah that offers this for no cost. If you are native to Utah this is the perfect way to enjoy the slopes and have a full family ski experience. My kids were so tired by the end of the first day. I was worried that they may not want to come back. Fast forward 10 minutes later to a full belly of hot chocolate and a cookie and they were asking when they could come back! They easily would have gone the next day if we would have been able. I plan to sign them up right away so we can enjoy the ski season all winter long.

 

3. Amazing staff and teachers

I cannot say enough about how impressed I was with the staff. Have you ever been to a daycare where you enter and you just know the person working the front desk does not like their job or children in general? I always think to myself, “Why are they in this job if they feel like that about kids?!” You will experience the complete opposite with the staff at Park City Mountain. Every single person we encountered was so incredibly patient, loving, and supportive with our kids. It comes as no surprise that learning to ski can be scary/stressful for little ones. I knew that this would make or break the experience for our kids. They lovingly guided our kids through the day and helped them fall after fall. From the boot fitting all the way through the end of the day evaluation I was so impressed with the staff and teachers.

I knew it would take special people to keep my kids in good spirits through out the day as the first day of skiing can be extremely tiring by nature. Jayne actually ended up having private lessons because the other girl who was in her group didn’t make it through the day. Jayne’s teacher Briana was so sweet and encouraging. When we stopped by to see how she was doing she waved shyly but was completely comfortable hanging out for the day with her new best friend.

This is what Jayne, age 6, has to say about her experience, “I like skiing because it’s fun. I like to go super-fast! I know how to slow down with my skis, just make a pizza and if you want to stop make a big pizza.”

4. Date time for you and your honey

It has been 10 YEARS since Paul and I enjoyed a day at the slopes! Between pregnancies, newborns, and other shenanigans it just hasn’t happened even though we love it so much. With our two older children in classes and our two younger at home we were free to enjoy the day! We made jokes and laughed about our kids as we rode the ski lift enjoying the view and hiding our faces from the falling snow. He helped pull me up from the ground after I strapped on my boots and struggled to stand from the ground. (Four babies has done a number on my core strength!) We came down the mountain together and I giggled with glee as I left Paul in the dust. (It is the one thing I can actually do better athletically than he can.)

 

We broke up the day with a huge, juicy burger with fries and didn’t have to stop mid conversation once! The class goes from 9 am – 3 pm so you have some time to enjoy the day. An added bonus to this situation is that it is not YOU trying to teach your kids how to ski/snowboard. Our kids wanted to learn different things and it would have been a really long day trying to teach them both at the same time.

5. Create fun memories making your children want to come back

I come from a skiing family and have loved the memories we’ve made up on the slopes. I even gained a sister-in-law while my family was up on the mountains as that is where my brother proposed. My children are now at that perfect age of where they can build up confidence on the slopes. I think it is important to start while they are school age so they don’t develop any fears too early. Cost is another concern and with the specials they have going on right now for next season, the cost can’t be beat (free!). You can go to www.epicpass.com/utahkids to go directly to this program and get all the details you need.

My kids are so excited to go back and I am thrilled to create memories with them! Thank you to Park City Mountain, Snow.com, and Vail Resorts, we had such an amazing time! You can see the whole video we made here!

We are so excited at the Epic SchoolKids ski program. If you are in Utah, you must check it out at Park City. We have always loved spending time in Park City and know that people come from all over the world to enjoy it’s beauty all year round. We were able to experience the program for ourselves this last weekend and we are already looking forward to next season. Registration is now open for the 2017-2018 season, I would suggest you sign up sooner than later as this program is starting to gain popularity and if you are scheduling some winter fun now is the time to take advantage of this awesome opportunity.

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