8 Best Learn-To-Snowboard Deals For The 2019/2020 Season

Learning how to snowboard is the beginning of a future of fun-filled days on the slopes and a lifetime of powder memories. (At least that’s how is for me.) It can certainly be an expensive hobby, but the learning-how-to-snowboard portion doesn’t have to put a major dent in your wallet. In fact, January is Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month, and nearly 70 ski areas across the U.S. serve up specials to get beginners up on their boards and carving down the mountains. Throughout the season, many resorts (big and small) feature discounted packages and risk-free deals to help anyone take their first turns and become lifelong boarders. (Once you’ve mastered your turns, find out all the mountains where you can ride for free this winter.)

Here are eight mountains where rookies can learn to ride for a lot less:

Windham Mountain, New York

Just over two hours from New York City, Windham Mountain Resort in the Catskills is family-oriented and beginner-friendly. It boasts efficient snowmaking for solid learning conditions as early as November and extending into early April. There are half day, full day, and season-long programs for beginning boarders and skiers ages four and up. The Learn-To Packages include learning area lifts, rentals, and an all-day lesson or evening education.

However, the OWN IT! Package makes Windham stand out. This package includes gear, lift tickets, and three days of snowboard lessons for $349. Anyone 16 and up can book the three days of group lessons. The first two days include a beginner lift ticket with access to all carpet lifts and K lift, and the third day includes an all-access lift ticket.

The big perk comes with the third lesson, when guests will receive a brand-new Rossignol snowboard with bindings (MSRP $550) and a $100 off coupon toward any Rossignol boots at the Windham Mountain Sports Shop.

Bristol Mountain, New York

Located in the heart of the Finger Lakes region, Bristol Mountain strives to create a lifelong love of the sport by catering to its youngest guests and first-time skiers and snowboarders with a variety of learn to snowboard packages. Its beginner terrain includes the beginner learning area called the Lunar Launching Pad with a surface-conveyor lift (Lunar Launch Magic Carpet), the Shooting Star Progression Park on Shooting Star Trail with scaled-down features aimed to teach newbies how to navigate a terrain park safely, and over two miles of beginner (green) trails on the south side.

Lookout Pass, Idaho

Beginners at Lookout Pass take the accurately named Success chairlift to the gentle slope, and have over 400 inches of annual snow to cushion them on inevitable falls. For 78 years Lookout Pass has offered a free Ski & Snowboard School for kids age six to 17. The 9-to-10 week learning experience includes lesson and lift access during the lessons.

The best deal at Lookout Pass is open to all ages, $129 includes three snowboard (or ski) lessons for first-time beginners. The package includes rental equipment and a lift ticket, as well. (Compared to a one-day learn-to package for $59.) The three-day package is available throughout the season and includes a graduation bonus: a rest-of-the-year season pass plus discounts on rental equipment to cruise all around the resort known for piles of pow.

Hesperus, Colorado

Hesperus is a quaint ski area in southwest Colorado. The smaller resort and remote location add up to a low-stress learning environment. Hesperus offers first timers ages seven and older up to three free lessons with the purchase of one full day lift. Hesperus also offers varying lessons to skiers and riders of all ages. Riders have the option to sign up for group full day lessons, group half day lessons or 1-, 2-, and 4-hour private lessons. Additionally, the Snokats program teaches safe skiing and riding to children between the ages of five and 18.

Loveland Ski Area, Colorado

Loveland offers a sweet deal to help beginners fall in love with snowboarding and ride all winter long. All participants who complete the 3-Class Pass program (starting at $399) of three lessons at Loveland Ski Area in Colorado earn a full season pass to help hone their skills for the rest of the season.

Whether someone is hitting the slopes for the very first time or an old pro looking to hone their technique, the Loveland Ski & Ride School has a lesson package to help everyone level up.

Powder Mountain, Utah

East of the Ogden Valley and Utah’s favorite secret stash for powder, Powder Mountain boasts a vast terrain that consists primarily of intermediate runs. That doesn’t mean the beginners are left out at Pow Mow (as it’s known). On top of uncrowded slopes and powdery conditions, the resort also offers an amazing deal for first timers, with rentals, lift passes and three hours of instruction for $150.

Brian Head Resort, Utah

Brian Head Resort (less than 3 hours from Las Vegas) boasts the Greatest Snow on Earth and an affordable learning experience with passionate and enthusiastic instructors. Learning to snowboard here comes with zero risk (well no financial risk, nobody can protect beginners from falling).

The Brian Head University Program is a risk free program for first time skiers or snowboarders of all ages. It comes with a guarantee that the Terrain Based Learning program will have newbies skiing or snowboarding in just three lessons or you’ll receive a full refund.

Sugarbush, Vermont

Vermont’s Sugarbush has a standout First Timer To Life Timer program that comes with a valuable bonus. Riders of any age who complete the three-lesson package ($225) will receive a free unlimited season pass (valued at $1,600) to use for the remainder of the season. That’s a lot of free ski days.

{Check back for updates and new learn-to-snowboard deals throughout the season.}