Where to take ski lessons near Seattle?

October 28, 2021 11:10 AM

I'm an experienced skier living in Seattle, and my partner is interested in learning this year. What's the best place/package for lessons for someone who's brand new?

Other details:

• We have a car
• My partner would need to rent equipment
• Our schedules are flexible so we could go on weekdays if that's advantageous
• I'll plan to be off skiing elsewhere in the same resort while my partner is in lessons

posted by Cogito to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (6 answers total)

I would think Stevens or Snoqualmie would be the best beginner experience. Both have lodges that make it easy to get from the rental area to the skiing, which can be daunting for someone new to having planks attached to their feet.
For your enjoyment, alpental is the most fun for experienced skiers at Snoqualmie, while at Stevens "the backside" is where you will go.
posted by OHenryPacey at 11:28 AM on October 28, 2021

I learned to ski at Stevens Pass and would recommend it based on my experience 11 years ago. Of course a lot can change in 11 years, especially considering the global pandemic at the end of it.

Previously.
posted by grouse at 11:32 AM on October 28, 2021

A lot of ski stores do rentals for the season, which avoids having to rent every time you go. For my son, we did it at ProSki and Seattle Ski. For lessons, my son took then at Snoqualmie at Mohan, and they were fine.
posted by ShooBoo at 11:41 AM on October 28, 2021

Response by poster: I think the best thing would be a multi-week program at Snoqualmie Pass, but all those programs (for skiers) are already sold out. Well, there's the February session of West4, but we don't want to wait until February.

So, what about the private instruction companies? I see several options that teach at Snoqualmie Pass:

• webbski.com
• skimohan.com
• alpinewestskischool.com
• fioriniski.com

But it would be nice to have some info to help choose
posted by Cogito at 1:19 PM on October 28, 2021

It's been a few years but having learned at both; I believe Stevens has better snow conditions for beginners and a greater variety of beginner runs. I remember getting rained on a lot at Snoqualmie and experienced falling in frozen slush, which put a damper on things.
posted by Maude_the_destroyer at 5:16 PM on October 28, 2021

It rains a lot at Snoqualmie, but it’s also less painful to drive and park than Stevens - your call. For you, skiing at Stevens is ALWAYS a better option than Snoqualmie, so it’s a tossup in terms of what you want to prioritize.

Fiorini, Mohan and Webb Ski are all longstanding NW WA ski schools - any would be fine. I don’t know Alpine West, but probably also fine- you can’t go too far wrong with entry level lessons.
posted by annie o at 10:18 PM on October 28, 2021 [1 favorite]