All lessons are final and non-refundable. Private lessons can be rescheduled, if you call us at least 24-hours before the time of the lesson. If you’re wanting to reschedule a private lesson and don’t reach us, please leave us a voicemail message and we will call you to reschedule the lesson. If you call us the day of the lesson to reschedule, we will not be able to reschedule the lesson and we won’t be able to issue a refund. Group lessons cannot be canceled or rescheduled.

We have a dedicated staff of instructors that are well trained using PSIA-AASI (Professional Ski Instructors of America-American Association of Snowboard Instructors) as our guide. Our ski and snowboard instructors are passionate about outdoor recreation in the winter and are deeply connected in the ski and snowboard community. We offer a fun learning experience, for kids and adults alike, with safety as our #1 priority. Hilltop Ski Area is a non-profit organization, a family friendly atmosphere and is conveniently located in Anchorage; just a short drive up the hillside. We have great beginner terrain and a super fun terrain park!

We book all lessons over the phone or in person, but some group lesson options are available for online booking. If you’d like to book over the phone, please call the Snowsports School at (907) 346-2169.

For specific descriptions of different ability levels, please refer to our ABILITY LEVEL GUIDE.

We offer Private Lessons that are age 7+, or for ages 3-6: a Tiny Turns private lesson.  Young kids’ groups lessons are for ages 5 and 6. Kids group lessons are for ages 7-12. Teens group lessons for ages 13-17.  Adult Group Lessons are for ages 18+.

There is 1 waiver that is mandatory for every student, and it can be filled out digitally using the link below. This waiver only needs to be completed once per season.

Click HERE to sign the Hilltop Snowsports School Liability Waiver:
This waiver doesn’t need to be printed or emailed to us.
A parent/guardian must sign for their children under the age of 18.

If you would like your child aged 7-12 to be able to ski or ride without a parent or guardian picking up the child after the clinic,
then a parent/guardian will need to sign a permission to stay late form that can be found at the snowsports school booking desk.

Yes, all students are required to wear helmets in lessons. Hilltop rents and sells helmets. We will rent you a helmet for free if you’re taking lessons that day.

Students should arrive fully dressed and ready to go for their lesson. Here is a suggested list of clothing for skiers and snowboarders. Cotton is not recommended.

• Long underwear,

• Long sleeve shirt,

• Snow coat and snow pants,

• Helmet (helmets are mandatory for lessons, we have helmet rentals if students don’t have their own)

• Hand and foot warmers if it’s cold outside,

• Knee length socks,

• Sweater or fleece,

• Winter gloves or mittens that have some water proofing,

• Goggles if it is windy or snowing.
  
  We have some outerwear retail items for sale at the ticket office.

Yes, lift tickets are included in the price of the lessons for those that don’t already have a season pass. The lift ticket given for snowsports school lessons is non-transferable and complimentary for the student only. The lift ticket is good for the whole day of the lesson to encourage the student to practice before and/or after the lesson. Hotdoggers is the only program that comes with a season pass.

If you have your own gear, you should arrive 15 minutes before your lesson. If you need rentals and have already been pre-fitted, then please come 30 minutes prior.
If you have not been pre-fit for rentals, an hour before your lesson is recommended. Earlier on weekends and holidays.

Yes, students 12 and under must be checked in with a parent or guardian. All snowsports school group lessons will check-in outside at the snowsports school meeting area. Private lessons and Tiny Turns will come check in at the snowsports school booking desk.

If you are late for your lesson; we will help the student, find their instructor. Time is not made-up for tardiness.

Yes. Parents/guardians are required to pick up children at the end of lessons, unless the child is age 7 or older and the parent/guardian has signed a “permission to stay late” form that allows the child to “free ride” unsupervised. Teens age 13+ will be dismissed at the end of the lesson regardless of whether the parent/guardian is present. Kids aged 6 and under will always need to be picked up by a parent when the lesson ends.

In group lessons the majority of the time students will be partnered with other students for chair rides. The instructor coordinates the students getting on the lift and will train students to ride the lift properly. The instructor will load the chair with the last student if there is space. If there isn’t space, the instructor will ride on the chair behind the group.

During the actual lesson time, we recommend that parents observe from a distance to prevent disrupting the class. Children will be able to learn better and focus more if parents aren’t hovering the lesson.

The two main weather reasons that Hilltop will cancel lessons are high winds and low temperatures. As soon as the decision to cancel lessons is made, we will reach out to you, and it will be posted on our website/social media. If Hilltop Snowsports School cancels a group lesson for any reason, a makeup lesson will be offered at the discretion of Hilltop Snowsports School. If you cannot attend the makeup lesson we provide, you will forfeit the value of that lesson. If your private lesson is cancelled due to bad weather, we will call you to set up a new time and date that works for both you and us.

Tips are always appreciated, but never expected. Tips are a great way to show your appreciation of your instructor’s hard work!