Taking organised lessons is the safest, most enjoyable and most efficient way to learn to ski or snowboard. Here’s why we strongly recommend the fun, active and hands-on approach of our Snow School:

• You’ll build a strong skill foundation, based on correct form and technique
• You’ll relax, have fun and build confidence at your own pace
• You’ll feel safer, reduce risk of injury, form good habits, and get it right from the start
• You’ll learn from the best, guided by qualified experts passionate about their work
• You’ll have good company, learning alongside other participants of similar ability levels
• You’ll have lots of choice, from private or group lessons, or multi-day kids’ camps
• You’ll enjoy more time skiing and less time waiting, thanks to lift line priority and expert instructors who know how to avoid crowds and find the best places on the mountain.

The weather on Cape Breton can be extremely variable. Make sure you are dressed appropriately with warm clothing, eye protection (goggles or sunglasses), snow pants and jacket, waterproof gloves/mittens etc. If you have any questions, we can help over the phone with what’s appropriate. While we don’t offer clothing rentals (jackets, pants, goggles, gloves), we do offer excellent equipment rentals (skis, poles, snowboards, boots, helmets). Find out more about our rentals here.

We strongly recommend that you make a reservation by calling us on 1-902-517-0371 (in-season). Our Guest Services team will be happy to guide you through the process and answer any other questions that you may have.

Please check in at the Guest Services Desk located in the main lodge next to the cafeteria. Our team will get you set up and ready to go to meet your instructors outside at our lesson meeting spot.

It is best to arrive about an hour before your lesson if you require getting ready and rental equipment. This will allow you enough time to relax and enjoy your experience rather than be rushed before hitting the snow. Please check-in no later than 30 minutes prior to your lesson start time.

If you know you will be arriving late, or unable to attend your lesson, please let us know. Call 1-902-517-0371or email snowschool@capesmokey.ca. Groups will not wait longer than 5-10 minutes past the start of the lesson. After this point they will go for a run and check back in for you. If you will be arriving late, please give us a call in advance to avoid class disruption and any disappointment. If you are beyond 20-30 minutes late, please be prepared to reschedule your lesson.

All of our groups are created on the following criteria: skiing/snowboarding ability, age, and special requests. Our primary focus is to group people with similar skill abilities together. This promotes the learning experience, and makes for a more enjoyable group dynamic. We make groups based on age to encourage the social experience for our students. It is not always possible based on abilities to have exact matches in age, but we are always considerate of ‘age appropriate’ placements. Special requests will be taken into consideration, but will not always be possible. If you have requested a specific instructor, groupings with friends, or anything that goes beyond our regular grouping methods, we will do our best to accommodate this. Requests are dealt with on a first-come-first-serve basis and on a scale of importance. We care about where each student is placed and aim to provide the best groupings for all involved in our programs.