Copper Mountain Resort offers lessons and season pass deal to newbies

Copper Mountain Resort recently announced new incentives to draw those completely new to skiing and snowboarding this winter.

The resort will offer Ski and Ride School University to newbies 16 years and older in hopes of getting them to fall in love with downhill snowsports.

For $199, the Ski and Ride School University package includes three ski or snowboard lessons with lift tickets, gear rentals, close-in parking and two lunches.

When participants “graduate” from the program and complete their third lesson by April 5, they’ll also receive a Copper Mountain season pass for the rest of the 2014-15 winter season as well as a 50 percent discount on a 2015-16 season pass.

The Ski and Ride School U program will take advantage of Copper’s newly-created terrain-based teaching area in Green Acres, a small learning area between Center and East Village. The non-intimidating area highlights entry-level man-made features, such as banked turns and a mild mini-pipe, teamed with progressive teaching principles allowing beginners to explore various snow sliding sensations while the mountain and gravity do all the work.

While this deal is for older teens and adults of all ages, the idea fits with industry-wide efforts to attract and retain young people. Officials around the industry have expressed concerns about replacing Baby Boomers who will be leaving snowsports in the coming years.

People already familiar with skiing or snowboarding and looking to score cheap season passes should know the deal isn’t meant for those wanting to crossover to a less familiar snowsport. Instructors will assess ability at the beginning of the program and will refund anyone deemed too experienced.

The Ski and Ride U deal must be purchased in person at the Guest Services or Mountain Sport Sales Center in the Copper One Building in Copper Mountain’s Center Village. For more information, visit CopperColorado.com/SRSU.