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Centennial Park - Program Descriptions

Lessons Class Teaching Ratio
  Ski Ratio Snowboard Ratio
Tiger & Monkey (4-5 yrs) 4:1 N/A
Penguins (3 yrs)
Panda & Zebra (4-5 yrs)
5:1 N/A
6-8 year olds 8:1 6:1
9-14 year olds 8:1 6:1
15 yrs+ 8:1 6:1
Racing/Specialized 10:1 8:1
Freestyle 8:1 6:1

Program ratios may be altered as necessary. Group lesson ratios are subject to change at the discretion of the program supervisor. We will ensure lesson quality and progression and will attempt, where possible, to manage group lessons to the set ratios.

Preschool/Parent & Tot Program Structure (3-5 yrs)
Skier Level Age Current Ability Content & Rules
Penguin 3 yrs Never skied before or limited time
on snow.
PARENT REQUIRED ON FOOT – Ski equipment for parents is NOT required. Proper winter footwear required for adult.
Panda 4-5 yrs Never skied before or limited time
on snow.
PARENT REQUIRED ON FOOT – Proper winter footwear required for adult. Parent may be required to be on ski equipment depending on how quickly child progresses (Helmet required if on skis).
Zebra 4-5 yrs Able to use carpet lift with parents assistance. Able to snowplow on easy terrain in control. PARENT REQUIRED ON SKI EQUIPMENT WITH HELMET – Parent will assist during the lesson on ski equipment and must be able to safely assist the child –Parent must know how to ski already –instruction will be for children only.
Tiger 4-5 yrs Able to use carpet and t-bar without assistance. Able to ski parallel on easy terrain. PARENT NOT REQUIRED – Child attends this program independently.
*NEW*
Monkey
Snbd.
4-5 yrs Never snowboarded before or limited time on snow PARENT REQUIRED ON FOOT – Proper winter footwear required for adult.

Each child in this program must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.(Only one guardian per child allowed) Parent rental equipment is available. Please contact the Snow School office to make arrangements.
Snow School Suggestion: Successful participants of Parent & Tot “Tiger” program should register into Step 3 based on instructors final assessment.Child must meet age requirements.

Ski "Step" Program Structure (6-8 yrs)
Step Age Current Ability
Step 1 6-8 yrs First experience
Step 2 6-8 yrs Can execute straight run and a snowplow stop.
Step 3 6-8 yrs Is able to execute some snowplow turns and to increase speed.
Step 4 6-8 yrs Is able to perform series of linked snowplow turns.
Step 5 6-8 yrs Is able to bring skis together between turns, use of ski poles.
Advanced 6-8 yrs Completion of Step 5 required –This program will continue to develop skills in preparation of 9yr+ program structure. Skills from Step 6 will be worked on, however the focus will be on strengthening of current skills to ensure smooth transition to the higher levels.

Ski "Step" Program Structure (9 yrs+)
Step Age Current Ability
Step 1-2 9 yrs+ None or limited previous experience
Step 3 9 yrs+ Is able to execute snowplow turns and to increase speed.
Step 4 9 yrs+ Is able to execute series of rhythmical snowplow turns with balance on outside ski.
Introduction to use of ski poles.
Step 5 9 yrs+ Is able to bring skis together during turns.
Step 6 9 yrs+ Is able to perform basic parallel turns.
Step 7 9 yrs+ Accomplished parallel skier seeking technical improvement and confidence.
Step 8 9 yrs+ Advance skier with strong technical interest.

Snow School Suggestion: Successful participants of Step 6 should attend our Introduction to Racing program or Instructor Prep program.

Snowboard "Step" Program Structure (6-8 yrs)
Step Age Current Ability
Step 1 6-8 yrs First time snowborder
Step 2 6-8 yrs Snowboarded a few times, has balance on a snowboard and/or completed STEP 1, able to use carpet lift without snowboard on.
Step 3 6-8 yrs Able to complete a traverse with a stop–ready to start turns.
Step 4 6-8 yrs Able to link 2-3 turns, able to use carpet lift without snowboard on.

Snowboard "Step" Program (9 yrs+)
Step Age Current Ability
Step 1-2 9 yrs+ First time snowborder or may have tried a few times.
Step 3 9 yrs+ Able to complete a traverse with a stop–ready to start turns.
Step 4 9 yrs+ Able to link 4-6 consistent turns, able to use carpet lift with snowboard on.
Step 5 9 yrs+ Able to link novice turns with flexion/extension.
Step 6-7 9 yrs+ Able to do basic carve turns, confident doing fluid novice turns with flexion/extension.

Snow School Suggestion: Successful participants in Step 5 are advised to enrol in our Snowboard Instructor Prep program.