Ski Skills Class

2026 Ski/Ride Skills Class on Thursday Nights!

Ski classes for Alpine and Telemark skiers and Snow/Splitboarders keen to develop their skills.

Enjoy a break from the city and develop your skills so you can ski/ride the backcountry with more enjoyment.

This evening program helps you improve your ski/ride skills during uncrowded weeknights.  There are separate sessions for ascending and descending skills.  The descending skills sessions use the lifts for  uphill travel to focus solely on descending skills.

Classes are organized by ability level and gear type — so that your classmates are skiing/riding at about the same level using the same type of gear (Alpine/Fixed Heel, Telemark/Free Heel,  Snow/Splitboard).

All levels between “never” and “advanced” are available. (Sorry, no expert level classes).

Location: Summit West — just across the freeway from the WAC Cabin, Exit 52 off of I-90

Days/Dates: Thursdays:  Jan 8, 15, 22, 29, Feb 5 and 12  2026

Descent Skills Sessions

Times: 7:00-9:00 PM

Cost:  $315

To ensure a spot, please enroll early — for the 2025 season Downhill lessons using AT / Fixed heel sold by the second week of  December 15th.  In any event no enrollments after December 31st. 

Lift tickets or seasons pass required at an additional cost.

Season’s passes may be purchased through the program and are not subject  to “Sold Out” conditions that can happen for season’s passes sold through the summit’s main website.  I reccomend buying a seasons passes when enrolling in lessons.   The “Remedy” and “Twilight” passes are the least expensive season’s passes usable for the program.   The least expensive option is to purchase “Twilifght/Night” lift tickets for the six Wednesdays well in advance for the lesson dates.  However a seasons pass that enables you to practice skills between lessons.  I find the extra practice outside of class time  enhances your progress.

Descent skills sessions gear
Since the lifts are used for uphill travel, you may successfully participate in these sessions using ordinary Alpine Ski gear or a regular snowboard.   Climbing skills or touring bindings are not required.  For telemark skiers, metal edged skis are required and plastic boots are expected.

Ascent Skills Sessions

Times: 5:30-6:30 PM

 Cost:  $145

Lift ticket or seasons pass not required for ascent skills sessions.

The ascent skills sessions offers coaching on effective skinning, gear and other uphill travel skills.   Helping develop your ability to climb effectively and efficiently, so once you get to your high point you’ll have more time and energy for the ride down.   Ascent classes require folks to have Alpine Touring, Telemark or Spliboard equipment and climbing skins that fit.    

Avalanche safety and winter camping skills are taught in a separate program, the WAC Backcountry travel class.

To enroll: 

  1. Become a WAC member if you are not already.
  2. Email Randy Oakley @ SkiWeds@gmail.com for an enrollment link

More Info: Contact Randy Oakley @ SkiWeds@gmail.com