Discover Skiing & Snowboarding

Persons who have never skied or snowboarded can be introduced to the sport by joining a group of beginners, or you may form your own group for a one-time, all-inclusive, discounted package offer.
Discover lessons run on Tuesdays & Thursdays starting January 4 & 6, from 6:15- 8:15pm.

The Earl Bales Ski & Snowboard Centre will begin taking discover lesson bookings starting December 6 by phone (416-395-7931) or in person at the Earl Bales chalet. Registration is done on a first-come first-serve basis and is subject to our discover package schedule.

• American Express, Visa or MasterCard number is required at time of booking, however, actual payment is made on the lesson day.
• 24 hour cancellation notice is required otherwise a $20 cancellation fee will apply.
• Participants who miss their pre-booked lesson will be charged the full lesson fee.
• Participants must arrive 45 minutes prior to their lesson and must check in with the administration department.
• On lesson day, a $300 credit card pre-authorization or cash deposit is required per person for the rental portion of the package.
• Late Policy: Due to the structure of the Discover lesson, participants arriving 15 minutes or later will not be permitted to participate.
• Students must be at least 6 years of age prior to the day of the lesson.

Discover 1 Beginner Package: $43

This introductory two-hour lesson is intended for first-time skiers. It starts on our rope tow-beginner terrain, snowboarders will start on the main hill.

• Skiers will learn the basics of putting on equipment, walking around with equipment, climbing and stopping and turning in a wedge.
• Snowboarders will learn the basics of putting on equipment and moving around, use of lifts and controlling speed on both the tow and heel edge.
• When you’ve completed this lesson, the instructor will advise you which lesson you should take next.

Discover 2 Package: $43

In this two-hour lesson, students will develop the skills learned in Discovery 1.

• Ski progresses towards learning how to match their skis parallel from the middle to the end of their turn. Snowboarders will focus on learning the skills necessary to turn from one edge to the other.
• Lessons will be taught on our main run (novice/intermediate terrain) when all students are ready to progress.

FAMILY DAY Discovers!

We will be offering Discover Lessons on Family Day Monday, February 21. To reserve a spot call Earl Bales Ski & Snowboard Centre.

Programs for those with Special Needs/Disabilities

The Earl Bales Ski & Snowboard Centre welcomes participants with special needs/ disabilities. By adapting the program, children and youth with special needs/disabilities can participate in skiing. For more information, call 416-395-7686.

Assistance Required for Ski/Snowboard Programs

For children/youth who are capable of participating in a ski or snowboard class that may require assistance can register in a program of choice. Once registered please call 416-395-7686 (with registration information) to determine the specific level of support required. Additional staff support assistance in programs is dependent upon instructor availability. Staff support assistance is not available during Holiday or March Break Camps/Programs due to instructor availability.

Private Lessons –4 weeks

Lessons below are booked for one person only. If you would like a semi-private lesson (participants must be similar age and the same ability level), please contact the facility starting October 1.

• One-Hour Lesson: $62
• Each Additional Skier/Snowboarder: $31/person/hour
• Rental Equipment for Private Lessons: $19/person/hour/lesson

Ski & Snowboard Leadership Programs

Junior Instructor/Leadership Development Program (12-13 yrs)

Program components are:

• development of basic instructional skills
• development of ski or snowboard skills

The course will be conducted indoors and outdoors. Participants should bring appropriate clothing for both environments.
Note: To participate, you should be a strong intermediate skier (Step 6) or snowboarder (Step 5).

Instructor Prep Course (14 yrs+)

This course is open to anyone wishing to become a ski/snowboard instructor or race coach who is a strong intermediate skier or snowboarder. This course is intended to provide the registrants with necessary background to pass the CSIA, CASI or CSCF level one exams.
Program components are:

• teaching method
• skiing/snowboarding ability

After successful completion of this course you qualify to work at the Earl Bales Ski and Snowboard Centre as an Assistant Instructor.
Note: To participate, you should be a strong intermediate skier (Step 7) or snowboarder (Step 6).

Junior Ski or Snowboard Patrol (JSP)

JSP is designed to provide an introduction to the Canadian Ski Patrol System. You will learn first hand leadership experience, introduction to First Aid and CPR and skiing/ snowboarding skill development.

• Minimum Ski/Step 4 or Snowboard/Level 5.

Racing Programs

Learn to Race

• This program is designed for aggressive skiers, wanting to further their skiing ability in a race-training format.
• Great for skiers interested in getting into alpine racing.
• All racers must wear a helmet.
• Rentals are not available.

6-10 yrs

• Emphasis on fun and participation. Introduction to high performance skiing.
• Development of the basic skiing skills: stance & balance, timing and coordination, edging, pressure control and pivoting.
• Ski improvement.
• Introduction to alpine racing in a broad coverage.
• Positive and constructive feedback and reinforcement only.
• Promote love of skiing by confident, successful skill acquisition.

10-14 yrs/15 yrs+

• Emphasis on fundamental skills and the development of a good racer.
• ABCs of movement: agility, balance, coordination, diversity, environment and speed.
• Further development of basic skiing skills: focus on S/B and T/C.
• Turn initiation and steering / edging and pressure control.
• Introduction of discipline training to develop versatility.
• GS for basic technique of clean, complete turns.
• Line interpretation and understanding of SL, GS and Super G.

Freestyle Terrain Park

Our Freestyle Park features jumps, a junior rainbow box, a junior butterbox and a wide flat rail, for your skiing/riding enjoyment. Come out and hit the park for your skiing and riding enjoyment. Don’t know how to Freestyle? If you are an intermediate skier or snowboarder who is interested in learning how to perform freestyle maneuvers check out our freestyle programs below.

• In order to ensure the safety of our features we will close features for maintenance when required.
• Any Person who enters the Freestyle Park must wear a recognized Ski & Snowboard Helmet. No helmet will result in no entry into the park.

Freestyle Programs

Prerequisite: Ski Step 6 or Snowboard Step 5

• Helmets are mandatory
• Rentals are not available
• An introductory program focusing on the basics of freestyle maneuvers used in slope style competition.
• Basic skills will be developed and improved to obtain maximum results when using a terrain park. Carved turns, advanced steering, and movements to control stability and balance will be introduced and developed.
• Aerial maneuvers will be introduced or developed to improve height, safety, and awareness of movement. Straight airs, airs with rotation, grabs and style will be introduced and developed.
• Flat land and rail tricks will be developed to improve safety, awareness of movement, and style. Rails, boxes, and flat land tricks will be introduced and developed.