SnoNews

The 11th annual Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month, going on now, has a new twist. Resorts across the U.S. are gearing up for a special celebration Friday, Jan. 11 – the first National Learn to Ski or Snowboard Day. 

For the last decade, the U.S. ski and snowboard industry has designated January as the month when “never-evers” are targeted to try out the sport all across the nation – and do it at a bargain price.

Keeping it fun at Shawnee Peak. (Shawnee Peak/Facebook)

As a skier who taught two sons to ski and then had the youngest son and a grandson take their first lessons in children’s programs, I know there is no one best way or age for all children to learn a snowsport.

All New Mexico resorts have discounted lessons. (Ski New Mexico/Facebook)

Ski and snowboard resorts all want more people on the slopes, and one way is to introduce newcomers to the sport.

Happy faces during Learn To Ski and Snowboard Month. (Mt Brighton/Facebook)

January is Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month and resorts in twenty-six states already are offering more than 100 special offers for beginners who want to learn the sports.

Group lessons at discounted rates call newbies to the slopes (PSIA/Facebook)

Organizers of the Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month like to say that “Humans weren’t meant to hibernate.” Instead, they should be out hittin’ the slopes with a professional ski or snowboard instructor.

Ari Gutman, a physician from Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, has been named the Ski Ambassador of the Year for the Learn to Ski and Snowboard (Month)/Bring a Friend initiative. Dr. Gutman took his two sons, Jonathan (14) and Matthew (13) to Spring Mountain, Pennsylvania for lessons and entered the Bring a Friend Challenge.

Ski and snowboard resorts nationwide are ready to attempt setting The Guinness Book of World Records for the largest ski and snowboard lesson Friday, Jan. 8 at 160-plus locations. It’s also the kick off for Learn To Ski and Snowboard Month.

Jackie Engvaldsen, a Head Start pre-school teacher from Beach Lake, Pa., has won the First Day Faces photo contest organized through the Learn to Ski and Snowboard (Month)/Bring a Friend initiative. Jackie submitted her photo “Never Too Young” of her daughter Ashlyn who is 16 months old in the winning photo.

Cindy Rust, a science teacher at Post Falls High School in Post Falls, ID (and a snowboarder), has been named the 2015 Snow Sports Ambassador of the Year by the organizers of the Learn to Ski and Snowboard (Month)/Bring a Friend initiative. Rust was the first runner up to last year’s winner Scott Kolts of Dahlgren, IL.

The First-Timer-to-Life-Timer program at Sugarbush, Vt. is part of the resort’s continuum of programs that allows them to custom tailor each guest’s learning experiences to meet their needs and goals.

What can $10 get you these days? How about a beginner ski or snowboard lesson for a Vermont child, including rentals and a lift ticket?

After all the hoopla around Christmas and New Year’s, it’s time to get down to the business of learning how to ski or snowboard.

Ski and snowboard areas across the Northeast are gearing up with special deals for those who want to learn this winter. Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month in January is a time when the snow sports industry offers attractive and affordable beginner programs for children and adults who can learn from a pro.

A new campaign called "First Day Faces" debuted Dec. 1, 2014 as part of the snow sports industry’s efforts to attract new skiers and snowboarders. The social media campaign features the happy faces of "newcomers" who just took beginner lessons.

This is the perfect time of year to learn to ski or snowboard. For you. Perhaps a friend. That’s because January is Learn To Ski Or Snowboard Month across the country and you’ll find good package deals at ski areas near wherever you live.

Here’s a New Year’s resolution to work on: Take to the slopes to learn to ski or ride at any of dozens of winter resorts in the Rockies, Sierras and Cascades.