Skiing/Snowboarding Classes

The Willamette University ski course occurs at the beginning of the Spring semester through Mt. Hood Meadows. Ski lessons are available in Alpine, Nordic (Cross Country), Telemark, and Snowboarding, each with levels from beginner to expert courses. Mt. Hood Meadows has over 115 PSIA (Professional Ski Instructor Association) Certified Ski Instructors and 45 Snowboard Instructors that teach by ATS (American Teaching System).

Students will have "lab time" to ski or snowboard before and after each lesson period in order to meet the Fitness requirement.

Be sure to review all the options, additional fees, and policies, listed below regarding this course.

If the course is full, students are encouraged to register to be on the waitlist. If there are enough students, we may offer a second bus.

Spring 2026 Schedule

• Course Fees

  Each student who enrolls in FITS 059X assumes the following financial obligations:

  Mt. Hood Meadows Fees
  All course fees will be paid directly to Mt. Hood Meadows, online, by the January Orientation Meeting. The course instructor, Prof. Mark Stewart, will provide instructions for completing this process after the CAS pre-registration process is completed. You will determine which area (alpine skiing/snowboarding/Nordic/telemark) you wish to enroll in and whether you require rental equipment and/or lift tickets. If you do not already have a season pass, you will purchase a 5-week pass as part of your ski or snowboard package. Because these packages are purchased as a group, there is a significant discount. All course participants are required to take lessons during the class days.

  Bus fee of $225 not refundable after Dec. 15, 2025.

  2026 MT. Hood Meadows Package Options and Fees

  Lesson Type	Service Combination	Fee
  Ski/Snowboard	Lessons & Bus (5)	$604
  	Lessons, Bus & Lift Tix (5)	$923
  	Lessons, Bus & Rentals (5)	$733
  	Everything (Lessons, Bus, Lift, Rentals)	$1,052
  Nordic (Cross Country)	Lessons, Bus & Track Tickets (5)	TBA
  	Lessons, Bus, Track Tickets & Rental (5)	TBA

  Telemark rentals are not available through course program. They are available directly from the Mt. Hood Demo Shop only. See or email program coordinator Mark Stewart for more information.

• Policies

  Adherence to the following procedures and regulations creates an enjoyable and safe experience for all.

  Grading
  Grading is based on bus attendance, signed lesson card, and Orientation attendance. You will receive a lesson attendance card as part of your Ski Package. You are required to obtain a signature from your MHM instructor for each lesson attended.

  Attendance
  Attendance is determined by two factors: riding the bus and signed lesson cards. Students must complete a minimum of four lessons of instruction by Mt. Hood ski instructors, verified by MHM instructor signature after each lesson. If you do not ride the WU-provided ski bus, and do not have PRIOR permission to take alternate transportation, then your lesson that day may not count towards the minimum requirement.

  Lab Skiing Requirement
  You are responsible for 20 hours of lab skiing/boarding during the 5-week session, before and/or after each lesson. You must either have your own lift pass, or include one in your Ski Package (purchased from MHM).

  Conduct
  Each student is required to abide by the Willamette University student conduct rules.

  Bus Transportation
  The chartered ski bus will leave from the front of the Sparks Center at 6:00 a.m. sharp the five scheduled Saturdays. The bus arrives at Mt. Hood at approximately 9:00 a.m. Boarding for the return trip begins at 3:00 p.m. The bus leaves the Mt. Hood parking lot at 3:30 p.m. sharp. It returns to Willamette at approximately 6:00 p.m., depending upon weather and traffic.

  Equipment Rental
  Discounted rentals (skis, boots, and poles) are available for Alpine, Nordic, and Snowboarding. Information on rentals will be available at the Orientation Meeting. You may include Equipment Rental as part of your ski package. Also see Course Fees.

  Insurance and Liability
  You may supply your own insurance. Mt. Hood Meadows and Willamette University will not be held liable for any accident or injury incurred on the mountain. For students under 18 years of age, parental permission is required.

  Ski Passes
  Each student is responsible for retaining his or her ski pass once issued. There is a substantial replacement charge by Mt. Hood Meadows for a lost ski pass.

  Guests
  Guests may ride the ski bus up and back for a day fee. Guests are allowed on a "space available" and "first-come-first-serve" basis. All guests must adhere to the procedures and regulations, including they must ski with someone else who rode the ski bus that day.

• Lessons

  Alpine Ski, Snowboard, Telemark, and Nordic Lessons

  Alpine Lessons are available at the following levels:

  First Time (Never Evers)
  Designed for the first timer, this class will orient the skier to the equipment and will introduce basic maneuvers such as gliding, stopping, and turning.

  Beginning (Green)
  These skiers have been on skis before and have a basic knowledge of their equipment. They may be unsure of their ability to stop and learning to control speed by turning in each direction from a wedge (snowplow) on flat terrain. They will be introduced to the chairlift.

  Intermediate (Blue)
  These skiers can link turns consistently by using the wedge (snowplow) on moderate terrain or by bringing their skis to a parallel position in the middle or at the end of their turn. Skiers will learn to begin shifting weight from ski to ski in order to let the skis come together in a parallel fashion. Pole usage is also introduced or perfected. Must be able to control speed.

  Advanced/Expert (Black)
  These skiers can maintain rhythm in all situations on blue terrain and most situations on black terrain. Skiers begin to refine skills, increase dynamics and rhythm in their skiing plus develop a variety of turn shapes for varying terrain and snow conditions.

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  Snowboard Lessons

  Snowboard Lessons are available at the following levels:

  First Time (Never Evers)
  Designed for the first timer, this class will orient the snowboarder to the equipment and will introduce basic maneuvers such as gliding, stopping, and single turns in either direction on flat terrain. Also covers introduction to chairlifts and riding etiquette.

  Beginning (Green)
  These snowboarders can make turns on green runs and are familiar with lift procedures. Students learn how to adjust their pressure distribution to utilize snowboard design to assist in making smoother linked turns on moderate non-threatening slopes.

  Intermediate (Blue)
  Able to control their speed on most blue runs, these snowboarders are ready for the challenge of varied terrain and snow conditions. The students learn to control their snowboard to make a variety of turn shapes for the changing conditions.

  Advanced/Expert (Black)
  Able to ride most black diamond terrain, rides confidently at higher speeds, and handles varying snow conditions. Wants instruction in freestyle or powder.

  Students who include Snowboard Rental in their ski packages will need only to show their Rental card each class day. Otherwise, Snowboards must be reserved in advance for every class. MHM does not have adult-size helmets available for rental.

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  Telemark Lessons

  Telemark Lessons are available at the following levels:

  Beginning (Green)
  This class is for those who have never telemarked before. A basic understanding of Cross Country skiing is helpful but not required. You will be oriented in the proper use of equipment, chairlift procedure, as well as how to control speed and change direction with use of a wedge stance and building the foundations for a telemark turn on gentle to moderate terrain.

  Intermediate (Blue)
  Skiers in this class have stronger skills in either Cross Country or Alpine skiing and have the knowledge and skill of the wedge turn in either discipline. You must also be able to load and unload a chairlift. The class will move quickly to the proper technique of the Telemark turn on moderate to advanced slopes.

  Advanced/Expert (Black)
  This is an advanced class for those who have already Telemarked and want to enhance their technique. Classes venture from moderate to advanced slopes to skiing expert terrain and varying snow conditions.

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  Nordic Skiing

  The Nordic lessons will cover skills technique, snow conditions, touring, and winter survival in appropriate depth for beginner and intermediate skiers. Lessons are available at the following levels:

  Beginning (Green)
  These skiers have never skied before or have a low level of aerobic fitness. Skiers will be oriented to their equipment, learn to balance while gliding and begin pole usage.

  Intermediate (Blue)
  These skiers have skied before and are familiar with their equipment. They are able to balance on a gliding ski and have an adequate level of aerobic fitness. Skiers learn to coordinate kicking and gliding movements and use their poles more effectively.

  Advanced/Expert (Black)
  These skiers have coordinated pole and kick movements and can descend gentle slopes. Students learn skating maneuvers to become faster and will refine other skills on varying terrain. They may also be introduced to the telemark turn.

• Ski Days

  Ski Day Instructions

  Bus loads at 5:45 a.m. in front of the Sparks Center.

  • All students are required to sign in before boarding.
  • Depart at 6:00 a.m.
  • Advisor will distribute ski tickets and rental cards on the bus on the first trip only. Students will retain their tickets, etc thereafter.
  • Lunches will be issued prior to boarding only to students who are entitled to them (i.e., they have previously provided us with their WU meal card number). Lunches are to be picked up in the lobby of Sparks, and must be signed for.

  Wake up call is 15 minutes before arrival at Mt. Hood Meadows.

  We will unload near the front of the lodge.

  • If you do not have a ticket or need any changes to your program, go to the Group Service Desk (located in the South Lodge, near the door to the breezeway).
  • If you are renting equipment, go to the Rental Area for programs located in the North Lodge.
  • Coin operated lockers are available in the South Lodge’s restrooms, on the second floor of the South Lodge and outside the restrooms in the North Lodge.

  Lesson Start Times:

  • Alpine
    Levels 1st timers, Green, Blue: 10:00 a.m.
    Levels Blue, Black: 1:00 p.m.
  • Nordic (Cross Country)
    All levels: 10:00 a.m.
    You must catch a shuttle to the Nordic track. Wait at the Programs Desk and identify yourself as a cross-country student.
  • Telemark
    Levels 1st timers, Green: 10:00 a.m.
    Levels Blue, Black: 1:00 p.m.
  • Snowboard
    Levels 1st timers, Green: 10:00 a.m.
    Levels Blue, Black: 1:00 p.m.
    You will find the snowboard lessons by “visiting” the poles which have the name of your “ability” – 1st timer through Black. If in doubt, ask a Mt. Hood Meadows host.

  Bus boards at 3:00 p.m. and leaves at 3:30 p.m. sharp.

  • DO NOT “CUT” YOUR TIME – It is difficult to find the bus as there are many buses in the parking lot when it is time to depart (and you did not park the bus). Remember the bus number and company.
  • You are required to sign in when boarding the bus.
  • If you ride the bus up, you are required to ride it back to Willamette.

  Other Helpful Information

  Your advisor is Mark Stewart. If you have problems, he will be in the lodge until 10:00 a.m. – you can also page him from the Programs Desk (South Lodge).

  Very Important

  During your free time, when not in lessons, you are required to ski with another member or members of our class. Thus, when two or more class members are missing we can assume assistance is needed.