Getting Schooled on Skiing

Ever had the desire to try something new?
Say, you’re a longtime skier who’s had a secret yen to try snowboarding. Or vice versa.
Or you have a friend who’s been contemplating picking skiing or snowboarding (or both).
Well, these itches can be scratched — and at a very reasonable price, too — during January, which has been dubbed Learn to Ski & Snowboard Month by the National Ski Areas Association.
 

Learning on the Cheap

Resorts across America — from Maine to Washington, from Alta to Whiteface — are participating in this promotion, which annually connects never-evers to the thrill of sliding down a snow-covered hill with a board or two attached to their feet in a safe, friendly and well-supervised  environment.
For the basic rate of about $35-$50, skiing and snowboarding neophytes get rental gear, a half-day lift ticket and an introductory lesson from a certified instructor. And many resorts will let you use the gear and lifts for the rest of the day for a very reasonable price.
 

Eyes on the Prizes

If an inexpensive gear-lesson-lift offer isn’t enough to get you out on the hill, Learn to Ski/Snowboard Month has other inducements to pique your interest.
One such is a social media campaign called #firstdayfaces. Those who post pictures on their social platform of choice of their first attempts at snowboarding or skiing at an official Learn to Ski & Snowboard Month resort using said hashtag could win a $250 gift certificate from such entities as getskitickets.com and skis.com.
Another enticement is the Bring a Friend Challenge, which rewards those who help newcomers sign up for beginner lessons from professional instructors. The payback are product prizes from a selection of manufacturers and resorts, including Head, Seirus, Dynastar/Look, Rossignol, Elan, Polarmax, Zeal Optics, Burton and Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows.
 

Where to Look

Details on these contests and all things Learn to Ski & Snowboard Month-related can be found at skiandsnowboardmonth.org.
Could be worth your while to check it out.