Lesson FAQ

1. What Time Should I Arrive at the Ski Area for My Lesson?
    
2. Where Should I Go First?
    
3. Do I Need to Make a Reservation?
    
4. What Should I Wear?
    
5. What Should I Bring?
    
6. Where Do Lessons Meet?
    
7. Were Do I Pick Up My Child After the Lesson?
    
8. Where Do I Leave My Equipment Overnight?

What time should I arrive at the ski area for my lesson?

We suggest arriving at least 1-1/4 hours before your lesson time, especially if you will be renting equipment. Ti is best to be at the lesson meeting place 5 to 10 minutes prior to the lesson start time. If you are looking for a specific time then I would suggest that you arrive at the area no later than 8a on weekends and even a little earlier over any holiday periods. On weekends Lifts start turning at 8:15 and the typical weekend and holiday crowds start to arrive in bulk by 8:30.
Midweek the lifts start to turn at 9a. So midweek we suggest you arrive between 8:45 and 9:00a

Where should I go first?

As you approach from the parking lots, the Ski Butternut Rental Building will be on your right. It is a large Gray building with three glass doors that mark the main entrance. Many people who take lessons also need equipment. If you need equipment (skis or a snowboard) you can purchase your group lesson, lift ticket and your rental equipment all at the same time. If you already have equipment you can purchase your lesson (group or private) at the Ski School desk in the Lower Lodge. The Lower Lodge is located on the left side of the main parking lot. The Ski Shop and a cafeteria are also located in this building, along with lockers and bathrooms. Go to the Ski School desk to get your lesson vouchers and your lift ticket for the day. Our friendly and attentive staff will set you up for a fun filled day on the snow. If you need to rent equipment or you are checking a child into SKIwee or miniRIDERS, you should go directly to the Rental Building. You can even purchase all the lift tickets need for other members of the family in this one location. In this manner you can all stay together to start your day.

Do I need to make a RESERVATION?

Reservations are strongly encouraged for private lessons.
For 1st-Timer / Beginner group lessons you don't need a reservation. We offer a $75 1st-Timers Learn to Ski or Learn to Snowboard package every day with many convenient times. you can check the details on that program on the web.
Reservation are strongly suggested for any children that will be in our child care facility.
Reservations are also strongly suggested for children who will be taking part in our Adventurers or miniRIDERS programs.
Reservations for Private Lessons / Adventurers or miniRIDERS can be made by calling 413-528-2000 x150.
Child Care reservations can be made by calling 413-528-2000 x125.

What should I wear?

That will depend on the day's weather. Dress in layers, you can always remove extra clothing if you are too warm. New synthetic base layers will keep you warm and dry. Start with a turtle neck, polar fleece sweater, parka, ski or snowboard pants, hat, goggles or sunglasses, mittens or gloves, a pair of ski socks and sunscreen! Helmets are available for rent in the rental building for $12. Please note that mittens are warmer than gloves and either should be waterproof. A trick the pro's use to keep their feet warm is to change into a second, dry pair of ski socks at lunch.

What should I bring?

Extra clothing, a purses, backpack, a change of clothes for the trip home. Street shoes and extras can all be stored in the coin-operated lockers you will find in the Lower Lodge, Rentals or Upper Lodge. Cafeteria style food is available in both our Upper and Lower Lodge although the selection of food is more robust in the Upper Lodge at Ski Butternut. If you forget an item, the Ski Shop carries ski socks, sunglasses, goggles, hats & gloves, sunscreen, lip balm and many other accessories. The Butternut Ski & Board Shop is a full service shop that caries most everything a skier or snowboarder might need.

Where do lessons meet?

Group and Private Lessons meet at the base of Paddy's beginner hill. You'll see instructors lining up in Gray and Orange Jackets just behind the Main Office.
1st Timer Learn to Ski lessons meet just off the back deck of the Rental building exit.
1st Timer Learn to Snowboard lessons meet at the Snowboard Tree - A large White Pine that is close to the instructors line up just behind the Main Office.
All these meeting places are close to the rental exit and the Paddy's chairlift.
Please arrive 5 to 10 minutes prior to your lesson start time.
Most Youth and Adult multi-week lesson programs meet nearby.
Race teams meet at the bottom of the Main Street Race Hill.
If you have questions (as most do) please ask an instructor or Host they will do their best to guide you.
At the start of the lesson please give your lesson ticket to your instructor - this ensures they get paid.

Were do I pick up my child, spouse or friend after the lesson?

Right back where the lesson started! And if the student had an enjoyable time in their lesson then a small tip $5 or $10 goes a long way to making the instructor feel that their efforts are being rewarded.

Where do I leave my equipment overnight?

If you have rented your equipment from us, and you are staying more than one day, we suggest that you tell the rental cashier that you are renting for multiple days. Then at the end of the day simply load your skis into the back of your vehicle. Be sure to take the boots into your hotel room or cabin so they are warm the next morning. by renting for multiple days you save valuable time in the morning - you don't need to wait in the rental line (which at times can get to be 45 minutes) to get rental equipment again the next day. With a multi day rental you simply head to the ticket booths at the front of the parking lot to purchase successive days lift tickets when you arrive. You can also do this in the lower lodge at the Ski School desk and this is the best place to go for purchasing group lessons for successive days.