First Time Lesson

Private Lessons For Ages 3 & Up

See below for information from the 2025/26 season and stay tuned for the 2026/27 season!

Private lessons offer a more personalized experience with student-centered coaching. Request an instructor of your choice, or we can hand-pick a qualified instructor for you. Ask about specialty private lessons for terrain parks, glades, and bumps, or request a private mountain tour with tactics to improve your experience. You can add people to your lesson if you wish, if they are of like age, ability, and discipline (Skiing, Snowboarding, Telemark).

Private lessons are available daily, every hour starting at 9am. Our 1-Hour Private Beginner Package is available Mon – Thurs, non-holidays.

Important Info

Daily Private LessonsTime(s)Private Lesson PriceAdd Additional Persons*
1-Hour Private Lesson
All Abilities
Every Hour
9 AM - 3 PM
$179
One Person
Lesson Only
+$89
Per Add'l Person*
2-Hour Private Lesson
All Abilities
Every Hour
9 AM - 2 PM
$289
One Person
Lesson Only
+$149
Per Add'l Person*
3-Hour Private Lesson
All Abilities
Every Hour
9 AM - 1 PM
$389
One Person
Lesson Only
+$169
Per Add'l Person*
1-Hour
Beginner Package

1st or 2nd Time
(Levels 1-2)
Every Hour
9 AM - 3 PM
Mon - Thurs,
Non-Holiday
$199
One Person
Lesson, Learning
Area Lift Ticket**,
Rental Package
+$99
Per Add'l Person*
Learning
Area Lift Ticket**,
Rental Package
1-Hour ExtensionAvailable Add-On
During Your Private
Lesson
$120
One Person
+$75
Per Add'l Person*

2-Hour Private Lessons at 9am or 1pm for ages 7+ will be available to book online for advanced purchases 3 or more days out. For other private lesson options, specific requests, or to book a lesson within the next 3 days, call us at (518) 251-4804 to book or submit your request online here.

* Additional persons must be of similar age, ability, and discipline. See our Snowsports Ability Chart to determine your and/or your group’s ability levels.
Max Adds Per Group: 3 add’l for ages 7 & up, 2 add’l for ages 4-6, 1 add’l for age 3.
Please call to book private lessons for ages 6 & under.
** Learning Area Lift Tickets include access to the following lifts: The Snow Train Conveyor, Greenway Conveyor, The J-Bar, The Bear Cub Quad, and The Sunway Chair. All-Mountain Lift Tickets include access to all lifts and peaks.
*** Holiday Periods: December 25, 2025 – January 1, 2026; January 17-19, 2026; and February 14-22, 2026.

Non-package private lesson reservations are bookings for your instructor only. If you don’t have a season pass, lift tickets should be secured online before your private lesson reservation can be finalized. Remember to reload your RFID Card or Frequent Skier Card if you already have one. Need rentals too? Reserve your gear online at least one day in advance and save 15%.

Check-In:

  • Private lessons check-in outside on the slope-side area of the Northwoods Lodge, near the Sunway Chair.
    • All Private Lessons meet 15 minutes prior to the lesson’s scheduled start time.
  • If you are renting equipment, plan to arrive at least 1 hour prior to your check-in time to be fitted. Plan more time during weekend/holiday periods for potential traffic and crowding. Please note that rentals are only included with the 1-Hour Private Beginner Package.
  • Helmets are required for ages 17 & under to participate in lessons. Helmets are available to rent individually and are included with the full gear rental package.

Lesson Info:

  • Private Lessons are offered daily on the hour starting at 9am.
  • Private Lessons must be booked in advanced. Call (518) 251-4804 for booking and additional information or submit a request here.
  • Private lesson bookings are for your instructor only. Lift ticket and/or rentals are NOT included with your lesson.

Adaptive Lessons

We offer ski and snowboard lessons to individuals of all ages with physical, cognitive, or developmental disabilities. All lessons are private, one-on-one with an instructor/coach, to better meet the participant’s specific needs. Click here to learn more.

See Reservation Policy

Reservation Policy

For Day Lessons/Programs

  • All purchases are final.
  • Participants must be within the determined Lesson/Program age range at the start of the Lesson/Program.
  • Reservation cancellations made more than 72 hours before the scheduled start date will incur a cancellation fee: $15 for adult/youth group day lessons and $45 for private lessons. The remaining balance will be refunded to the original form of payment.
  • Reservations canceled within 72 hours of the start date are non-refundable. Instead, you will receive a credit of the full value of your reservation, minus a cancellation fee ($15 for adult/youth group lessons and $45 for private lessons), towards the same Group/Private Lesson on another day. Credit requests must be submitted by the close of business on the day before the scheduled lesson. Credits are valid for one year from the issue date.
  • Cancellation fees will apply per person/per reservation/per activity.
  • No refunds or credits will be issued for cancellations made on the day of the scheduled lesson.
  • A refund or credit will NOT be issued if a participant arrives late for their lesson start time.

All Lesson/Program participants or participant guardians must electronically sign the Day and Multi-Week Lesson/Program Agreement. If purchasing online, you’ll be presented with the Day and Multi-Week Lesson/Program Agreement prior to checkout. Upon finalizing your first reservation this snow season by phone, you will receive an email with a link to sign this document electronically.

You will receive the program check-in time and location in your confirmation email. Programs are in session every day the Snowsports School is open, regardless of weather conditions. During inclement weather, we will take indoor breaks as necessary.

 

Additional Information

Special Notes for Private Lessons

Please consider the following for a fun and successful private lesson experience

  • Advanced reservations are required for private lesson options.  Please call (518) 251-4804.
  • All children 17 & under are required to wear a helmet* during their lesson.
  • Lessons are held regardless of the weather- be sure to dress appropriately.
  • Inform us of any special arrangements or needs when making your reservation so that we can best serve you.
  • Please be on time. Plan ahead for time to register, pick up rental gear, etc. We recommend arriving at least an hour prior to your lesson start time. Plan more time during weekend/holiday periods for potential traffic coming in. Lessons go out on time and late arrivals may not be accommodated.
  • While skiing or snowboarding is the primary activity, our instructors encourage on-hill safety and etiquette at Gore.

Additional notes to best prepare families

  • A parent must complete program-specific registration forms including Release of Liability.
  • A parent must remain on the Gore Mountain premises if their child is participating in a private lesson.
  • We know you’re excited to watch your child ski or ride. However, young children often become distracted when they see their parents. If you would like to observe, plan to do so from a distance so as not to distract your child or other program participants.
  • Visit our health & safety page for guidelines during the 24/25 snow season.

*If you purchase your program with rentals, a helmet is included in the package. If children are using their own equipment, they must bring a helmet with them or plan to rent one upon arrival. Thank you for your cooperation in our effort of increasing safety on the slopes. Visit LidsOnKids.org to learn more about helmets and snow sports safety!

SnowSports Ability Chart

Ability levels are rough approximations of the student’s skills and allow us to group students of a similar level for lessons. When booking your lesson, select the level that best describes your ability level.

SKI

  • Level 1, First Time – I’m a first time skier who is brand new to the sport.
  • Level 2, Second Time – I’ve skied before, but still learning to make turns.
  • Level 3, Novice – I can turn my skis with control in both directions on easy green terrain.
  • Level 4, Intermediate – I am developing parallel turns on intermediate blue terrain.
  • Level 5, Advanced – I can make controlled parallel turns on expert black diamond terrain.

SNOWBOARD

  • Level 1, First Time – I’m a first time snowboarder who is brand new to the sport.
  • Level 2, Second Time – I’ve snowboarded before, but still learning to make turns.
  • Level 3, Novice – I can traverse and link turns on easy green terrain.
  • Level 4, Intermediate – I can make controlled turns on intermediate blue terrain.
  • Level 5, Advanced – I can make controlled turns on expert black terrain.