Skiing and Snowboarding

Ski and Snowboard at Ober Gatlinburg

The Homeschool ski program sponsored by the Gatlinburg SnowSport Center located at the Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort, is a four-week class designed for students & parents. The program offers a one-hour lesson each week, lift ticket for unlimited skiing the day of the lesson, and ski rental. Children should not be too young (7 and older) and a parent or designee must be present. Parents or designees do not need to participate in the lessons and may choose to ski on their own or just relax at the Ski Lodge. There is no child-care for younger siblings, however they are free to hang out with Mom or Dad at the Lodge or try out their legs on the skating rink or ride the intertube slope. The program begins Sunday January 8, 2012. Registration is due postmarked by January 2, 2012.

Lessons will be offered on Sundays and possibly weekdays pending registration turnout. Class times are as follows: Beginners (Level 1) 9:30, Intermediates (Levels 2, 3, 4) 11:00, Advanced (levels 5, 6) 12:30. Lessons will be provided Jan 8, January 22, January 29, and Feb 5. No activities offered on Martin Luther King Day, January 13,14,15,16 and Presidents’ Day, February 17,18,19,20.

Ober Gatlinburg is willing to offer lessons on weekdays this year provided there are a minimum of 7 students in a class. We will open it up again this year to see if we can make something work. The 2012 registration form includes a section for the days that you can participate. If you select other weekdays in addition to Sunday we will try to place you in a weekday slot in order to fill a class and accommodate those students who cannot participate on Sunday. The more weekday options you select the greater likelihood we can accommodate some weekday classes. Class times for weekdays will generally be later in the day since the slopes do not open until 12:00. Weekday class times will be announced through e-mail as soon as we have all registrations in. If weekday lessons are offered they will begin on your preferred day the week of January 9 and will continue for four consecutive weeks excluding Monday January 16 Martin Luther King Holiday.

If you prefer to skip the lessons you may ski any day Sunday – Thursday.

Each participant will receive 4 vouchers for the season. Each voucher is good for lift ticket, lesson, and rental equipment. You may use your vouchers up until the end of the season, however please be aware that warm weather can end a season at anytime. There are no refunds for unused vouchers regardless of weather conditions or personal situations. Also please be aware that if you miss a lesson we cannot guarantee it can be rescheduled. Rescheduling depends on whether there is an ongoing class scheduled for your level on a given day. Always check with the ski school to see if they can accommodate you.

The alpine (ski) rate has increased to $120.00, however they now include helmets with the rental equipment. There is no discount for own equipment. Snowboard is $140.00 renting equipment or $120.00 with your own equipment. You may choose not to participate in the lessons if you are only interested in hitting the slopes – price remains the same.

The fee also covers the tram ticket to ride to the slopes, but you may also drive to the resort. Parking is $5.00 at the tram or at the resort. Parents not in the class will have to purchase their own tram tickets; $9.50 Adult, $6.50 children 7-11, free for children 6 and under with paid adult.

When the weather is bad (warm) you should call the Ski School (1-800-MUCH-FUN, and ask for the snow report) the day of your lesson to make sure that it is not closed. Classes are generally NOT cancelled even when it rains. If you miss a class, you can make up the time on Sunday - Thursday of that or the following weeks although you will forfeit the class instruction. There are no makeup lessons guaranteed.

Registration Instructions
Registrations and payment should be mailed by January 2, 2012. Registrations postmarked after January 2, 2012 will have a $10 late fee assessed for each participant.

FORMS
1. Please complete one (1) Student Profile Sheet for each person who will be registered. Choose the form that has Alpine Ski Student for ski lessons, and the form for Snowboard Student for snowboard lessons. You will complete an equipment rental form at the school on the first day of classes so please don’t be late.

2. Applications cannot be processed if your money is not included. Make your check payable to Gatlinburg Snow Sports Center. Payment is due postmarked by January 2, 2012.

3. Mail 1 Student Profile Sheet for each student to:
Al Hardesty, 1848 Pinestraw Ln, Knoxville, TN 37932
Postmarked After January 2, 2011 send to Tim Doyle, 373 Terry Point Rd., Dandridge, TN. 37725 (Add $10 late fee per registration).
All late registrants should contact Al Hardesty (865-621-9511) for coordination and scheduling of classes. If you are selecting weekday options it will be critical that you call before sending in a late registration to verify if the class will be offered. Please do not send late registrations postmarked later than January 5, 2011. If you miss the January, 5 deadline, registration can still be accommodated the day of the first lesson, however there will be a delay in getting started on the first day.

If you have any questions call Al Hardesty Ph. 865-621-9511 or email.

Directions to tram station: Once in Gatlinburg, turn right at traffic light #9 (Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway Mall). The parking lot is across River Rd. on left (Parking is $5).

Directions to Ski Slope Parking: Once in Gatlinburg, turn right at traffic light #10, follow the road 2 – 3 miles to the top of the mountain. (Parking is $5) Note: Directions assume you are entering Gatlinburg from Pigeon Forge and are not taking the Gatlinburg by-pass.

Clothing Suggestions: We recommend you purchase an inexpensive pair of snow pants which will help keep your child dry and warm; however jeans and long johns are fine if your child can stay upright most of the time. Well insulated waterproof gloves are preferred over cloth mittens. Dress in layers rather than one heavy jacket. This will allow students to adjust to the varying temperatures throughout the day. The outer jacket should be semi-waterproof and provide a wind break.

Ober Gatlinburg