Ski & Snowboard Lessons

At Sugarloaf, ski and snowboard lessons are as effective as they are fun with our Guaranteed Learning Method. We combine progressive slope difficulty with the Perfect Turn coaching system to make learning to ski or ride easy and fun. Whether it's improving your technique, your first time on skis, or looking to learn the ins and outs of Sugarloaf, our instructors bring knowledge and enjoyment to your time on the Mountain.

• Choose Your Lesson

  Sugarloaf offers a wide variety of terrain, including extremely challenging trails. Be sure to realistically evaluate your or your child's abilities when choosing your lesson. Instructors reserve the right to move students to the most appropriate program for their ability. Please see below to better assess you or your child's skiing ability:

  Skier
  Level 1	I have never skied before.
  Level 2	I have skied before; I am working on stopping and turning independently on my skis.
  Level 3	I can stop and turn independently on green terrain.
  Level 4	I am working on skiing parallel on all green and some blue terrain. I can vary my turn shape (narrow and wide) and am working on doing hockey stops in both directions.
  Level 5	I am skiing parallel in different turn shapes on most blue terrain, and can hockey stop in both directions. I am working on how to use my poles.
  Level 6	I can confidently ski parallel on all blue and some black terrain. I am learning how to navigate through ungroomed terrain and beginner bumps, glades, and freestyle elements.
  Level 7	I can ski parallel with a pole touch and am able to change turn size and shape on all blue and most black terrain. I am exploring ungroomed black terrain, blue bumps/glades, and freestyle zones.
  Level 8	I am confident performing dynamic turns on all blue and black terrain (groomed and ungroomed). I feel comfortable exploring easier double black terrain.
  Level 9	I can confidently ski parallel across the entire mountain, including advanced bumps/glades. I am developing tactics and techniques to make me more successful in these environments.

  Snowboarder
  Level 1	I have never snowboarded before
  Level 2	I have slid on a snowboard and am working on traversing both directions and stopping independently.
  Level 3	I can control speed moving across the hill and can stop independently. I am working on turning in both directions on green terrain.
  Level 4	I can link heel and toe skidded turns on green terrain.
  Level 5	I am comfortable on both heel- and toe-side turns, with varying turn shapes and sizes on all green and some blue terrain.
  Level 6	I am comfortable riding most blue terrain. I am learning how to ride switch and navigate ungroomed terrain, easy bumps, and beginner freestyle elements.
  Level 7	I am able to ride all blue terrain with varied turn shapes and sizes through varied conditions. I am exploring some black terrain, as well as bumps, glades, and freestyle zones.
  Level 8	I am confident performing dynamic turns on all blue and black terrain (groomed and ungroomed). I feel comfortable exploring easier double-black terrain.
  Level 9	I can confidently ride across the entire mountain, including advanced bumps/glades. I am developing tactics and techniques to make me more successful in these environments.

  *Instructors reserve the right to move students to the most appropriate program for their ability. 

  If you're not sure which lesson is right for you, please email us with details about your ability at perfectturn@sugarloaf.com

• Get Lift Tickets

  Lift tickets are not included with: Mountain Experience, Mountain Magic, Mountain Adventure, or Private Lessons. If you don't have a season pass at Sugarloaf, you'll need to purchase a day ticket online (pro tip- the earlier you buy, the more you save). 

  Once you've bought your ticket online, you can pick it up at one of several Online Express Kiosks around the resort.

  Your first lift ticket purchase of the season will include a one-time charge of $5 for your Go Card, which can be reloaded at no additional cost throughout the season.

• Rent Equipment

  If you are picking up your rentals on the day of the lesson, please go to the Rental shop on the top floor of the base lodge between 8 AM and 8:45 am. Rental pickup is also available the day before your reservation, anytime between 2-5pm. There's no need to check in! You can go directly to any technician inside the rental shop and show them the email you recieved containing your rental reservation barcode.

  Whether you’re renting equipment or using your own, helmets are required for everyone participating in Perfect Turn Lessons.

• What To Wear

  When skiing or riding in Maine, layering works best. Be sure to have a waterproof jacket, pants, and plenty of layers underneath. Helmets, goggles, a neck gaiter or buff, and gloves are highly recommended for all of our skiing and riding guests.

• Where to Go

  With the exception of Adult Learn to Ski/Ride, all lesson participants will meet their instructors outside, ready to go. There will not be access to cubbies or lockers in the base lodge, so please plan accordingly. Plan to arrive at your meeting place 15 minutes before your lesson to check in with your instructor.
  Meeting Places:

  Lesson	Meeting Place	Time	Directions
  Adult Learn to Ski/Ride	Perfect Turn Learn To Ski & Ride Center	9:30am or 12:30pm	First floor of the Base Lodge, east side
  Mountain Experience & Private Lessons	Perfect Turn Hut	15 minutes before lesson	Directly uphill from the Base Lodge
  Mountain Magic & Adventure	Outside the east side of the Base Lodge on Natalie's Birches	9:15am	From the Beach, walk through Food Truck Alley and take a left down the hill.

• Cold Weather Breaks

  Lessons may include cold weather breaks and rest periods depending on the needs of the group. If a child refuses to participate in their program, we will contact their parents. We do not have staff inside to watch children.

• Regular vs Holiday Dates

  Regular Weekday Dates: Monday - Friday, December 23, 2023 through March 23, 2024

  Weekend & Holiday Dates:

  Saturday & Sundays from December 23, 2023 to March 23, 2024

  Christmas Vacation:  December 23-31, 2023

  MLK Weekend:  January 13-14, 2024 

  February Vacation Week: February 17-25, 2024

• Cancellation Policy

  Lessons can be canceled 72 hours prior to the date of your reservation and you will receive a full refund for your lesson. If you cancel within 72 hours of the date of your reservation, you will receive a Boyne voucher for the dollar amount paid to your online account that will expire on 5/1/25. If you cancel the day of your reservation, you will be charged in full. Single or Multi-day lessons are not able to be adjusted or altered in any way. Re-booking is subject to online availability and not guaranteed. Cancelations are final. 

  To cancel please complete this online form.