Questions & Answers

Email will be sent to the google group when registration opens, typically 2 weeks prior to the ski date.

Registeration will remain open for 2-3 days and will be noted when it will close in the email when the link is sent out.

How do I know I'm registered for a ski date?

When you complete the signup form you will get an email from Google confirming the details you entered.

Do I need to fill out a new registration form for every date?

Yes. There are limited spaces each week so sign up quickly when registration opens. Please decide ahead of time which weeks you wish to get tickets for so you are ready.

How old do my kids need to be?

Snow Valley: Children must be 6 or older.

If your child is too young you must arrange tickets and rentals directly with the resort. (They don't let us order these tickets for you.) You then need to teach and supervise your child yourself.

(If you get a student ticket with us for Snow Valley and your child is under 6, they will pull your ticket the day of, and you will have to purchase a regular-priced ticket for your child if there are any available.)

Blue Mountain: Children must be in Grades 4 - 12 to purchase a school ticket and must complete an assessmemt each week.

Please note - NEW 2024

Children younger than Grade 4 are not permitted to purchase a School Ticket.
Anyone on a school ticket must complete an assessment and be in Grades 4-12.
For those younger than Grade 4, Blue has given us separate pricing (see costs) or you can purchase a season pass or daily tickets directly from Blue Mountain’s website.

How should I prepare?

Check the weather and dress appropriately.
Suggested additional items to bring:
- Warm ski gloves/mitts
- Balaclavas for face protection
- Layers of clothing to put on when skiing and to remove when inside
- Warm socks
- Goggles or sunglasses (not included in rental equipment)
Once per season, make sure you have printed and signed waivers for Snow Valley, and or filled in the e-waiver for Blue Mountain. Links to the appropriate waivers are provided when you fill out a signup form.
Pack lunches, hot drinks and a lot of snacks to eat.

What does a ski day at Snow Valley look like?

Wake up early to get everyone fed, dressed and out the door by 7:00 a.m.
Drive for 1 hour & 15 minutes from e.g. mid-Toronto to arrive at Snow Valley by 8:15 a.m. (rental office opens @ 8:30a.m.).
Collect ski tickets from Ruthann @ the day lodge. (This is where you will leave your bags & belongings.)
Collect ski rentals from rental area, identifying yourself to the group volunteers at the exit to record the rental numbers on your equipment before you leave the building.
Be on the ski hill for 9:00 a.m. (Do not go on the hill prior to 9:00 a.m.)
Adults can just ski. All participants under the age of 18 must earn stripe levels to be permitted increasing privileges on the hills. Children progress through lesson stations or, if they are an intermediate skier they may challenge the stripe test on the bottom of the hill next to the main lift. (Be there by 9:00 a.m. or you may miss this chance.)
Hills close by 4:00 p.m., return all rentals to the rental shop, making sure to find your name on the rental sheet and mark that you have returned the rentals. You are responsible for checking off the rentals for everyone in your party.

What does a ski day at Blue Mountain look like?

Wake up early to get everyone fed, dressed and on the road so you can arrive at the Blue Mountain resort in time to pick up tickets, get any rentals and be at the lesson area for as early as 9:00 a.m.
Park at the South Base parking (1).
Meet Rebecca to pick up tickets and rental vouchers at South Base cafeteria area (2) (pass the rental entrance, go up the stairs and straight in). Tickets available from 8:45 a.m.
Be on the hill at (3) for the assessment center process (as early as possible, we suggest 9 am) and to start working through the stations with instructors help.
If you are renting equipment plan to arrive early to maximize your time on the hill and the benefit the most from the assessment center and the instructors.

When are lessons?

Snow Valley

Beginner Skiers: Adventure Centre 9:00a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Beginner Snowboarders: Ride Centre 9:00a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Stripe Test: Hard Knox * 9:00 a.m. (for experienced skiers and riders only)
Blue Stripe Test: Top of Family Hill 12:30 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. (for anyone who achieved a green stripe in the morning and would like to try for their blue stripe)
Intermediate Skiers and Snowboarders: Snow School Bell * 12:30 p.m.
Purple Stripe: Snow School Bell * 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m. (Must have achieved Blue stripe at morning stripe test)

Blue Mountain

Assessment Center / Learning Circuit - 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Required for ALL students grade 4- 12.

For newer skiers thers is the beginner learning circuit at the assessment center with an instructor at each station.
There will still be instruction for these students as they will work their way through each station.
For those more advanced they will need to do the initial assessment before they can move on to the Blue/Black assessments where an instructor will take them up the chairlift and watch them all individually work their way down the hill.
They will provide them feedback in the form of a report card that will show what they need to work on and what they are capable of doing.
If successful in receiving a blue or black they will be able to ski for the day.
If not they will proceed back to the assessment center to work on their skills with instructors at each station and can retry for a sticker throughout the day
Everyone in Grades 4 - 12, regardless of the skill level will need to complete an assessment.

This assessment is non negotiable. Please DO NOT argue with the instructors or try to convince them that your child will be with you "the parent" and therefore should be given a different level stripe and you will be responsible for them. THIS IS A LEGAL ISSUE for Blue Mountain. We are visiting as a school group and therefore fall under these regulations.

Green stripes are only allowed on Easy Rider, Undergraduate and Graduate (small carpet or lift).
Purple stripes are allowed on carpet hills, Big Baby & the Orchard
Blue stripes are permitted on all hills and lifts with the exception of black runs and the north chair lift.
Black stripes are permitted on all hills and lifts.
If you don't want to take the risk of your student not getting access to the hills they want (especially getting stuck at green level) you'll need to purchase a full-price ticket from the resort directly.

What are the requirements for the different stripes at Blue Mountain?

No Sticker:

Beginner/Low experience.
I have skied/snowboarded before but cannot stop/slow down yet.

Green Sticker Ski:

Demonstrates a centered position.
Make a wedge and stops on carpet runs.
Can change turn shape to adjust speed and stop.

Green Sticker Snowboard:

Demonstrates centered position.
Heel stop on carpet run.
Heel side slip on carpet run.
Heel pendulum on carpet run

Purple Sticker Ski:

Centered and mobile stance.
Matching skies at the end of the turn.
Hockey stops on green terrain.
Can Adjust turn shape.

Purple Sticker Snowboard:

Centered and mobile stance.
Heel side stops on green terrain.
Toe side side/heel side sideslip Pendulum.
Linked toe side and heel side stops. (Garland/power pendulum).
Completing basic turns.

Blue Sticker Ski:

Controlled “emergency” stop on blue terrain.
Linking turns on blue terrain.
Some vertical movement to create performance.
Carved traverse on blue terrain.
Some separation between the upper and lower body when turning.

Blue Sticker Snowboard:

Controlled “emergency” stop on blue terrain.
Linking turns on blue terrain.
Some vertical movement to create performance.
Carved traverse on blue terrain.
Some separation between the upper and lower body when turning.

Black Sticker Ski:

Full range of vertical motion to create performance and manage Black terrain.
Angulating to create edge angle.
Steering with the lower joints.
Adapts to varied terrain.
Carved turns

Black Sticker Snowboard:

Full range of vertical motion to create performance and manage Black terrain.
Angulating to create edge angle.
Steering with the lower joints.
Adapts to varied terrain.
Carved turns.

My kids are beginners, what resort do you suggest?

If your child is a beginner you may prefer Snow Valley. At both resorts beginner skiers are likely to only get a green stripe, which restricts the hills they are allowed on. At Blue Mountain green students will be limited to a single hill that has a few bush trails. It has a triple lift that goes half way up the main hill or if they recieve the purple stripe they will be allowed multiple hills at a beginner level. At Snow Valley green students have access to a few different green runs.

What time should I be at the ski hill?

Snow Valley: Tickets are available and rentals open at 8:30 a.m. Everyone should try to arrive by 8:15 a.m. to pick up tickets, get their gear on, pick up rentals (if needed), and be out on the hill for 9:00 a.m. for testing or starting through the progressive lessons in the Adventure Station area.

Blue Mountain: If you are renting equipment please arrive by 8:45 a.m. to allow for sufficient time to get your ticket and go through rentals and still be on time for the lesson at 9:30 a.m.

If you have your own equipment, arrive in time to pick up your ticket and to be at the lesson at 9:30 a.m.

Does my ticket include night skiing?

Snow Valley: No. Skiing ends at 4 p.m.

Blue Mountain: Yes, tickets are valid from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Where and when should I pick up my tickets?

Snow Valley: Go to the day use lodge (not the main building)

Please note tickets must be picked up in time for you to get your students to their lesson. The stripe test challenge begins at 9 a.m. and runs for a limited time.

Progressive lessons generally run throughout the day until 3:00 p.m.

Blue Mountain: Go to South Base and meet Rebecca in the cafeteria area. Tickets are expected to be available from 8:45 a.m.

Where do I pick up my rentals?

Snow Valley: At the regular main chalet rental zone.

Blue Mountain: At South Base rental area, after getting your tickets and rental voucher.

Can I switch between skiing and snowboarding during the day?

No. This complicates things for ski hill rentals, and especially with students is problematic since earning a stripe for e.g. skiing does not mean you know how to snowboard.

What do I do if I am running late?

Volunteers are waiting to give you the tickets (and at Snow Valley record rental equipment numbers). These volunteers would like to ski themselves, so please make every effort to be on time.

We understand that mistakes can be made or events can happen that are outside of your control, so please ensure you have the organizer's cell number with you – – so you can call or text to advise how late you will be. It likely will be possible to figure out some arrangement.

Blue Mountain: Rebecca @ 416-806-7144

Snow Valley: Ruthann @ 416-320-8274

What if I need to cancel? Are there refunds on the tickets?

If you encounter extenuating circumstances beyond your control (e.g. illness, vehicle issues) let us know and we can cancel and refund your tickets.

Please keep this as a last resort; it adds a lot of administrative burden. If you cancel frequently we may ask you to purchase your ticket directly from the resort.

Can I transfer my tickets to someone else?

Please only sign up if you intend to use the tickets yourself. However, if you can't ski for some reason, please coordinate with Rebecca - shine.skiing@gmail.com or Ruthann - shinesnowvalley@gmail.com.

We have a cap on numbers so there may be a waiting list. Please don't just give your tickets to someone else without talking to us. We need to keep an accurate list of who to give tickets to, and the names for any rentals.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Skiing will happen even if it is snowing heavily. Even if it is -40C. Likely even if it is 10C.

In the past 12 years there have been just a few cancellations due to weather. In case of inclement weather and the unlikely event of cancellation, check your email by 6:00 a.m. the day of. Skiing will not be cancelled the night before as weather often changes. Keep in mind that Hwy 400 is always plowed and ready to go for morning traffic, despite the weather conditions.

Can I purchase tickets for family or friends?

Yes you can, however please remember tickets are available on a first come first serve basis.

Please remember @both resorts we have limited numbers. This is a program run for the students benefit. If you are adults looking for cheap tickets and are not accompanying a student please do not purchase tickets with us.

Please be selective in whom you invite and make sure they are compatible with following the guidelines given. Your guests' behaviour is reflective of our ski group and may jeopardize future relations with the ski resort. If we have participants who behave poorly on ski days and we hear about it from the resorts (yes, this has happened) we will not hand tickets to these individuals again. Please keep this in mind and make sure those you invite are familiar with our expectations.

Do I need to pay immediately?

Yes, as soon as you register, please send your e-transfer. Only tickets that have been paid for will be reserved.

BLUE MOUNTAIN - shine.skiing@gmail.com (Rebecca)

SNOWVALLEY - shinesnowvalley@gmail.com (Ruthann)

This reduces the administrative burden, and is appreciated!

*Tickets that have not been paid for will not be ordered.

Can I get a receipt?

There is no mechanism to issue receipts. If you need it, please save a record of your e-transfer. You should receive an email from Interac as soon as the auto-deposit completes.

Where can I get the waiver form?

Snow Valley:

Print and bring with you once per ski season:

Parental consent form

Blue Mountain: The link for student waivers is emailed before ski season starts, and is also included in the registration form. Waivers only need to be filled out for students, and only once per ski season. Make your life easy and fill it out early, even if you're not sure if you'll ski; there is no harm in not using it. When filling out Blue Mountain's WaiverFile form, make sure you don't mix up the Signee (parent /guardian) and Participant (student skier) boxes. Do not skip past this step otherwise we have to follow up with you to get the waiver corrected. Incorrect waivers are one of the greatest time costs for running this program. Please do it carefully and correctly!

Any adults renting equipment will need to fill out a separate rental waiver.

Can I get a ticket for my under-age child?

Blue Mountain, yes - please see the cost chart for prices and ages.

Snow Valley, no - please book a ticket yourself on the resort's website for children under age 5.

How do I sign up?