Kitsap Ski School serves skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels in grades 5-12
The mission of Kitsap Ski School is to help participants build a life long love for snow sports and mountain stewardship while providing snow sport education for youth in grades 5 through 12.
Ski School was founded in 1969 as the premier ski education program for Kitsap County. The program is now open to all students in grades 5 through 12 from the surrounding area. Since the program doors opened, thousands of students have learned how to safely ski and snowboard while learning to enjoy the great outdoors. In the fall of 2018, Kitsap Ski School re-organized and became a 501(c)3 organization. The Kitsap Ski school program provides six Saturday trips from Silverdale to Stevens Pass. Transportation and Ski School instruction is provided as part of the program. Through the program our students make friends, build self-confidence, and develop skills in a sport that will keep them active for the rest of their lives.
Ski School was founded in 1969 as the premier ski education program for Kitsap County. The program is now open to all students in grades 5 through 12 from the surrounding area. Since the program doors opened, thousands of students have learned how to safely ski and snowboard while learning to enjoy the great outdoors. In the fall of 2018, Kitsap Ski School re-organized and became a 501(c)3 organization. The Kitsap Ski school program provides six Saturday trips from Silverdale to Stevens Pass. Transportation and Ski School instruction is provided as part of the program. Through the program our students make friends, build self-confidence, and develop skills in a sport that will keep them active for the rest of their lives.
How the program works
On each of the six Saturdays, our program creates an exciting outdoor experience at Stevens Pass Resort for program participants. Typically buses begin loading at 8:15 am at the Central Kitsap Middle/High School campus in Silverdale and depart by 8:45 am. Over the past couple of years, program participation has allowed to to also run a bus from the Park N' Ride behind Alberstons in Kingston. We use Central Kitsap School District school buses and we have several adult chaperones on each bus.
Kitsap Ski School participants receive exceptional ski instruction on each of the six Saturdays that we head up to the mountain. Our program uses the Kingston/Edmonds ferry and we arrive at Stevens around 12:00 pm. Beginning and Novice students have time to change and get a bite to eat before they head out for lessons. Beginning and Novice lessons run from 2-4 pm. Intermediate and Advanced lessons from 5-7 pm. During non lesson times, we expect participants to practice on the slopes with a buddy. Typically our buses load from 7:00-7:30 and then we head back to the Edmonds/Kingston ferry. In most cases, we arrive back at the school around 10:45 pm.
Kitsap Ski School participants receive exceptional ski instruction on each of the six Saturdays that we head up to the mountain. Our program uses the Kingston/Edmonds ferry and we arrive at Stevens around 12:00 pm. Beginning and Novice students have time to change and get a bite to eat before they head out for lessons. Beginning and Novice lessons run from 2-4 pm. Intermediate and Advanced lessons from 5-7 pm. During non lesson times, we expect participants to practice on the slopes with a buddy. Typically our buses load from 7:00-7:30 and then we head back to the Edmonds/Kingston ferry. In most cases, we arrive back at the school around 10:45 pm.
Program Lessons and Ability Assessment
We know that people who take lessons progress faster, learn proper techniques, and are less likely to hurt themselves or injure others. Most students who take three or more years of lessons in our program become expert skiers or snowboarders and are able to charge safely down the steepest slopes with complete confidence in all conditions. No matter how good you are (or think you are), there are instructors in our program who can help you become even better.
All Kitsap Ski School lessons are taught by highly trained professional instructors at Stevens Pass Ski Resort. These instructors tailor their lessons to match the skill level of each student. Ski and snowboard instruction for all ability levels - from beginner to expert. Through the Kitsap Ski School program all/most students are required to take lessons based on the criteria below:
- Everyone in grades 5 - 9 is required to take lessons.
- Students in grades 10 - 12 can opt out of lessons if they have been in our program for 3 years.
- Additional Opportunities for advanced skiers/boarders are listed below:
Beginner
"I have never been on skis or a snowboard"
Novice
"I have some basic experience and know how to control my speed on a gentle slope"
"I know how to turn to keep control and I know how to use a chairlift"
Intermediate
"I am confident turning on all Green runs and venturing onto Blue runs"
"I feel comfortable and turn smoothly in both directions on all groomed Blue runs"
Advanced
"I approach all Blue runs and some Black runs with confidence in all conditions"
" I am confident on all runs and ready for the challenge of a specific focus such as freestyle or freeride"