Indoor ski hills or snowboarding slopes near Denver are great places for your kids to learn how to ski or snowboard before you head out for a real mountain experience. Programs like Shredder Ski + Snowboard introduce kids to both snow sports on fun, safe indoor ski slopes.

It’s a smart move to give your kids a chance to practice the basics of stop, start, twist, and turn on an indoor ski slope. Instead of dealing with snow, freezing temperatures, lots of gear and the hassles of driving to the right spot, your youngsters can focus on making a perfect pizza wedge or balancing on a board.

Indoor ski slopes for your kids

Indoor ski slopes near Denver give you easy access to classes for even your youngest child. Toddlers, pre-teens, even kids as young as nine months can take part in the fun on an indoor ski hill at Shredder Ski. As long as your kids can walk, there’s a class at Shredder Ski that’s right for them.

Professional Instructors Know What It Takes to Teach on Indoor Ski Slopes

Teaching your child to ski or snowboard can be a bigger challenge than you may realize. That’s why it makes sense to find the right indoor ski hill with plenty of learning time and playtime mixed in with fun time for your kids.

When you choose classes at an indoor ski hill or snowboarding slopes in Denver, you can focus on all your other important roles as a parent. You probably already manage your family’s transportation system and act as equipment supplier, food service provider, purchasing agent, tear wiper, and cheerleader. Leave ski school instruction to the professionals!

Shredder instructors know how to meet students where they are on the learning curve. That means instructors know how to gauge each child’s abilities to think and figure things out. They also are passionate about creating a positive experience that makes family time on the mountain a joy for everyone.

Take Advantage of Classes on Indoor Ski Slopes for Your Child

Learning on an indoor ski hill easily translates to skiing or riding on real snow. In fact, most students think it’s easier to ski or ride on the mountain after they have practiced on dry slopes in Colorado.

Here are six reasons indoor ski hills or snowboard slopes make a great place to learn the basics.

1. Save money, even during peak season. A full package of classes at a facility with indoor ski slopes costs less than a lift ticket at some Colorado resorts.

2. Slopes are open year-round. You don’t have to wait for the first snowfall of the season. Indoor ski slopes like Shredder have classes and camps all year long. It’s a safe, fun way to get your kids ready for a great on-snow experience.

3. No need for snow gear. Programs like Shredder Ski include skis, boards, and boots in the cost of a 10-week class. If you want to buy or rent gear, retail shops connected with Shredder Ski offer hard-to-find sizes for your youngsters.

4. Avoid exposure to the elements. Indoor ski hills mean your kids won’t complain about being cold. They can focus all their energy on their instructor and practicing their skills.

5. Skip the traffic hassle. Indoor ski slopes near Denver and Boulder give you quick access to a safe, fun learning experience for your tots, toddlers, and pre-teens.

6. Learn with others of similar age and ability. Small class sizes give students plenty of personal attention and enough space to work on specific fundamentals of skiing or snowboarding.

4 indoor ski slopes to enjoy with the Family on the Mountain

After learning the basics on an indoor ski slope, it’s time to take it to the mountain. Here are top choices for Shredder Ski families who want the best-on-snow experience with their youngsters.

1. Eldora Mountain Resort is a popular destination for a day trip. It’s about 20 miles west of Boulder and less than 50 miles from downtown Denver. Eldorables ski lessons give kids an easy way to progress from an indoor ski slope experience to the real mountain.

2. Loveland Ski Area offers uncrowded slopes, remarkable terrain, and close-in parking. It’s about 50 miles from Denver off Interstate 70. The Winter Wiggler Program is made for families with preschool-age skiers and snowboarders who want a midweek break from their routine.

3. Keystone Resort has a family-friendly vibe that Shredder families appreciate. It’s about 70 miles from downtown Denver and offers 128 trails across 3,000 acres. Plenty of activities are geared for your little ones, from group classes to Kidtopia activities, like face painting, fort building, and scavenger hunts.

4. Ski Copper has learning and beginner terrain that first-time Shredder families love. The mountain is about 80 miles from Denver. Great beginner and intermediate terrain gives youngsters the right trails to work on their skiing or snowboarding techniques. The resort also offers plenty of on-mountain and off-mountain activities just for kids.

When you search for “ski school near me,” just about every resort in Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, or Texas pops up. But what if you want your kids to learn how to ski or snowboard before you actually head out on I-70 for some fresh powder?

That’s when a skiing school close to home makes more sense. Your kids can learn the fundamentals and get comfortable on the slopes, whether they want to ski or ride the mountain trails.

Indoor ski schools in Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, and Texas like Shredder Ski + Snowboard teach kids from tots to teens how to safely navigate the slopes and have fun! It’s a money-saving way to give them agreat experience and get them ready for best on-snow experience next season.

Our Ski School Instruction Philosophy

Every child learns at a different rate. That’s why all Shredder ski schools use a progressive approach to guide students through the learning process. That means each week focuses on a new topic that builds on what was taught in previous weeks.

Our skiing school curriculum takes students through a series of stations that help them learn techniques and develop strength, agility, and athleticism. It’s a win-win formula that helps kids learn how to safely enjoy their sport and have fun.

Principles of Our Ski School Code

The secret behind our Shredder program is our SHRED Code. These core principles serve as the best guide to turn your kids into lifelong lovers of mountain sports.

S – Stay in Control

H – Honor Other’s Personal Space

R – Rest in a Safe Place

E – Explore Safe Terrain Only!

D – Demonstrate Safe Chairlift Practices

Here’s how it works.

Stay in control. Just like with driving, certain rules of the road – or mountain run – make a big difference when it comes to safe shredding. Stop, go, yield, and look out for others are as important on a slope as they are on the road.

When your child learns the right way to slow down and stop, it’s the first step to knowing how to have a safe day on the slopes. They can use those skills on the mountain to avoid obstacles, like people and trees!

Honor personal space. Your kids probably know what social distance means on flat terrain. But what about on a mountain slope?

Shredders have a responsibility to respect others and the environment. Skiers and snowboarders alike need to show courtesy to everyone on the slope, no matter what type of equipment they use.

Here’s a good rule to shred by. Give others about 15 feet of space on all sides. When children are on the trail, give them more space and take a notch off the speed.

Rest in a safe place. Mountain runs can be like busy highways sometimes with everyone moving downhill with the flow of traffic. Just like on the road, skiers and riders need to pull over to the side of the run to stop. It’s also important to find a place where others can easily see you from all directions.

Explore safe terrain. Accidents happen when skiers and riders don’t pay attention to posted signs and warnings. That means staying off closed trails and out of boundary areas.

Most ski areas use trail signs with specific shapes, colors and drawings to indicate what they mean. It’s an easy way for nonreaders to understand the signs and why they are important.

Demonstrate safe chairlift practices. Every run down a trail starts with a lift ride up the slope. That’s why it’s important to know how to safely load, ride and unload from a chairlift. At a ski school like Shredder Ski, your child can learn where to wait in line for the next ride, how to sit properly on the seat, and what to do to get off the chair safely at the top of the lift.

Teaching tools we use help tots, teens and everyone in between learn how to turn, reach and grab as they get onto a chair. Other easy-to-remember rules include pull down the safety bar, hold on all the way, sit still and slide straight off the lift.

Safety, Fun and Learning at Ski School

At Shredder ski schools in Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, and Texas we make safety our number one priority. That’s why we follow guidelines and standards set by the top education organizations in the business, including Professional Ski Instructors of America & American Association of Snowboard Instructors, Colorado Ski Country USA and the National Ski Areas Association.

Our Shredder instructors are dedicated to teaching the fundamentals of skiing and snowboarding in a safe and fun indoor learning environment. We want to help your child become a confident skier or rider and grow into a lifetime lover of snow sports.

Shredder Slopes are Open Year-Round

You can get your child ready for ski season with indoor ski lessons at Shredder Ski. It’s a safe, fun way to learn how to ski or ride responsibly.

You’re a step ahead if your kids have learned some shredder basics at a kids’ ski school. An indoor ski school for kids, like Shredder Ski + Snowboard, is a convenient, cost-effective way to turn your kids into lifelong lovers of mountain sports.

You also can learn helpful tips at ski schools in Colorado to make your next family trip to the mountains a success.

You also can learn helpful tips at ski schools in Colorado to make your next family trip to the mountains a success.

Here are 10 tips from Shredder ski school for kids to help you pack in the memories and make the most of your day on the mountain.

1. Search for family ski discounts.

Inexpensive packages for your youngsters can make a big difference in your budget. Check out rates and rules for season passports that work for fourth, fifth and sixth graders at Colorado Ski Passport Program.

Search for “ski schools near me” to find indoor slopes that have partnerships with local ski areas. The best ski schools, like Shredder, offer discounts for students in their ski or snowboard programs.

Rent equipment in advance. Skip the hassles with the rentals at the resort. You can save time and frustration by getting your gear locally before your trip. That way, you don’t have to stand in line, try on gear, scramble to load up everything – all before you finally get out to the bunny hill.

Did you know you can rent equipment from ski schools in Colorado like Shredder Ski + Snowboard? Most locations offer skis and boards, boots and poles. It’s best to call in advance to make sure the location nearest you has the right size or color combo to fit your kids.

Let’s continue to learn expert tips to prepare your first ski trip with kids

2. Stay safe on the mountain.

Safety comes first for everyone on the mountain, including your little ones. Make sure your crew knows how to keep in control and act responsibly as you ski or ride.

If your kids go to a Shredder ski school in Colorado, they learn the Shred Code. It’s a simple set of principles that can help your kids become lifelong lovers of mountain sports.

S – Stay in Control

H – Honor Others’ Personal Space

R – Rest in a Safe Place

E – Explore Safe Terrain Only!

D – Demonstrate Safe Chairlift Practices

3. Ski patrol saves the day.

Remind your kids that patrollers are the Paw Patrol of snow sports. They are on the mountain to help you and to make sure everyone stays safe. Introduce your youngsters to a patroller to make sure they recognize the safety cross and colors that easily identify ski patrol on your mountain.

4. Ski helmets make a big difference for snow sport fans of any age.

Today, more than 80% of skiers and snowboarders wear helmets while they are on the mountain. Choose a helmet made specifically for mountain sports. It’s designed to protect you from multiple impacts, unlike bike helmets. Snow helmets can also keep your head warm.

Indoor kids ski school like Shredder don’t pose as many hazards as a snow-packed mountain. That’s why your kids can bring a helmet designed for any sport to Shredder ski schools in Colorado.

5. Don’t let the cold make your kids miserable.

Keep those fingers and toes warm with the right mittens, gloves and socks for cold weather. Look for outerwear that fits snugly, yet has enough wiggle room to move around. It will make a big difference in how much your kids enjoy their day.

Retail shops at Shredder kids ski schools have gear in sizes and colors that fit just about any tot. You also can find small-sized helmets and goggles designed to protect your skier or rider.

6. Plan ahead in case you get separated.

Cell phone coverage isn’t always available all over the mountain. That’s why it’s important for everyone in your group to know what to do if you get separated or lost. Choose a place to meet, like under a sign at the bottom of the mountain or in front of a ski patrol building. Make sure everyone knows the plan before you get on the mountain – and don’t rely only on your phones.

7. Carry ID.

Want an easy way to ID everyone in your group – just in case you get separated? Take a group selfie before you head to the mountains. That way, you have details of what everyone is wearing if ski patrol needs to find someone for you. Also remember to tuck a note with your child’s name and your contact information in clothing before you get to the bunny hill.

8. Make it a game day.

Your kids probably have favorite games they played in kids ski school that helped them learn important lessons on and off the slopes. Take a cue from the ski pros at your kids’ indoor ski school and make an adventure out of your ski trip. A game of I Spy while you’re on the trip to the mountains can help pass the time. Follow the Leader reminds your youngsters how to make good turns and come to a controlled stop.

9. Stop and chomp on snacks for a quick pick-me-up.

Granola, energy bars, trail mix and dried fruits make great treats for hungry-hangry skiers and riders. Just remember to find a safe spot to the side of the run where you’re out of the way of shredders on the move. And pack out what you pack in. You can always find a trash receptacle at the bottom of the mountain.

10. Ski or ride?

Is your household divided on whether to teach your kids to ski first or jump right onto a snowboard? Keep this fact in mind: Skiing is easier to learn and harder to build skills than snowboarding. Boarding is hard to learn, but once you do, it’s easier to shred new moves in no time.

An indoor ski school for kids, like Shredder Ski + Snowboard, teaches both sports. Talk to a professional instructor about your child’s abilities and learning style. It can help you make the right decision for your family and get everyone ready for a great time on the mountain.

Quiz your kids after a lesson at an indoor ski school, and you may be surprised what they learn. Here are fun facts that make snowboarding and indoor ski slopes a great place to learn the basics of shredding a mountain.

1.    Colorado’s longest ski run is 4.5 miles long. No two mountain runs are exactly the same and neither are the dry slopes in Colorado at indoor ski schools. When you search for “indoor ski slope near me,” look for programs that meet your child’s abilities and needs.

2.    At Shredder Ski + Snowboard schools, indoor ski slopes range from 3 feet to 12 feet tall. Inclines stretch from 10 feet to 47 feet, depending on the location. The gentle learning zone gives beginners an easy way to learn how to make turns, control speed and stop.
Open gyms at Shredder locations give young snowboarders and skiers a chance to get some quality time on the indoor ski hill. Your shredders can have fun in an unstructured setting and work on their skills.
Shredder keeps the group size small for the 45-minute gym times. Team members are on hand to offer tips and keep it fun. Just remember – you are responsible to supervise your children while they are in the gym.

3.    Coldest day of the year in Colorado is January 28. Colorado boasts 300 days of sunshine and more than 300 inches of snow a year. Average high temperatures in mountain country hover around 28°F. That means you need plenty of layers to keep you warm from top to toe while shredding a slope.
Inside Shredder indoor Ski school, it’s always a balmy 68°F. Our climate-controlled environment is just right for indoor shredder conditions. The Xtreme artificial turf gives skiers and snowboarders the right surface to learn how to turn, stop, slip and move down the slope, just like on fresh powder.
No need to worry about winter outer wear at indoor ski schools. Dress for action, bring a helmet and get ready for fun!

4.    Are you a goofy or regular snowboarder? We’re not talking Disney characters, although the loveable dog Goofy may take credit for a popular shredder stance. A goofy stance for surfers, skateboarders and snowboarders means your right foot is in front. Riders with a regular stance have their left foot in front.
The numbers clearly favor regular riders. By most estimates, 70% of snowboarders keep their left foot in front. Only 30% ride goofy. Compare those numbers with right hand versus left handers. Nine out of 10 people are righties!

5.    Your gluteal complex is the most powerful muscle group in the body. Do you know what the hardest lower body part is for young children to identify? It’s the ankle.
The joint between our leg and foot plays a key role in learning good ski stance and how to start, stop, twist and turn. That’s why youngsters at Shredder Ski + Snowboard learn to sing a tune about hips, knees, ankles and toes –­ essential body parts for snow sports.

All those joints come into play as skiers and snowboarders gain strength, flexibility and balance. Lessons at dry slopes in Colorado keep your kids in motion as they learn what it takes to shred the ups and downs of slope terrain.

6.    Pizza and fries make a great combination for skiers. Don’t be surprised if you think your kids went out for lunch instead of indoor ski school. They may come home with a full menu of new terms that help them remember how to position their skis.
The lingo is an easy way to teach youngsters about rotation skills. Make a pizza – or wedge – and stop. Line up skis like fries and head straight down the slope.
Instructors at Shredder follow an instruction model tailored to the way children think, behave and move. The curriculum moves students through a progression of stations to build your child’s skills, confidence and passion for the sport.
Through games like Red Light, Green Light, students learn how to stop on command and get moving again. Follow the Leader teaches kids about obstacles on the mountain and how to avoid them.

7.    The first snowboard was called a snurfer. A dad in Michigan bolted two snow skis together for his daughters to glide down the local hills. His wife named the contraption a snurfer, since it looked like surfing on snow.
Snowboarders today need to master the art of balance. That’s why snowboard lessons can help your child get ready to shred.
Indoor lessons give your kids a chance to learn basic skills in a safe, fun environment. By progressing through stations on flat ground and various slope sizes, kids can practice their balance and proper stance. They also learn mountain safety and how to get on and off a chairlift.

8.    It takes only 3 minutes to get down a ski run. Here’s a quick math equation to challenge you: 10-minute lift line + 7 minute lift ride + 3-minute ski run = 20-minute lap.

How much time are you actually moving down the slope? Only 3 minutes!

That’s why ski school or snowboard lessons make sense. It’s a great way for your kids to learn the basics and get comfortable on the indoor ski hills before you head out for family time on the mountain.

9.    Ski boots are the most important piece of ski gear. Your kids need the right gear to learn how to ski or snowboard. But that doesn’t mean you have to race off to the store to buy equipment for your beginner.

Look for indoor ski schools that include boots, boards and bindings in the cost of lesson packages. It’s the best way to get the right fit to protect legs and ankles as your child learns new moves for the mountains.
Ski schools like Shredder have rental and retail services to outfit your kids for your next family trip. You can find the small sizes you need for your tots or special order colors and sizes that you can’t find in the store.

10. Union Pacific Railroad invented the first ski lifts. In the early days of skiing, toboggans pulled by animals carried skiers to the top of the slopes. Today’s high-speed lifts travel at more than 11 miles an hour and can climb 1,000 feet per minute.
It’s important to know how to safely load, ride and unload from a chairlift. That’s why ski schools like Shredder Ski teach your child what happens from the lift line to the end of the ride.

11. Gift certificates make great holiday presents. Did you know you can buy ski and snowboard equipment at Shredder? Or try out the rental program before you head to the mountains. You can save time and money getting your kids geared up and ready to shred at Shredder Ski + Snowboard.

With the right curriculum, your beginner can get familiar with the basics and be ready to shred in no time. It’s a great way to get your kids ready for the best on-snow experience next season, be even more prepared with these ski tips!

It’s easy to do a search for a “ski school near me.” You probably will find lots of options. The harder task is to find just the right ski school or snowboarding school in Colorado to introduce your beginner to the fun of downhill snow sports.

Ski schools like Shredder Ski + Snowboard can introduce your kids to skiing and snowboarding in a fun, safe indoor environment. They create meaningful activities that naturally draw in the students physically, mentally and emotionally.

1. Here are 3 things beginner skiers can learn before they set foot on snow.

 1. Get ready for the Stance Dance that your child learns in ski school. It’s a silly, fun way to learn athletic stances that are important for snowsports.

 2. Or you may find yourself playing Shredi Says with your kids. It’s a version of the game Simon Says that helps kids follow instructions in a fun, age-appropriate way.

 3. Fun and safety top the list for every session on the slope at Shredder Ski + Snowboard.

 There’s a lot more to skiing and snowboarding than just heading down a hill. Especially with younger children, approximately 90% of your time as a parent is spent between leaving your house and reaching the top of the hill – and you haven’t even gone down the hill yet! Shredder’s kids snowboard and ski programs are designed to maximize the entire ski and snowboard experience for every member of your family.

• Each session begins with a quick introduction to activities planned for the day.

• Instructors have a clear understanding of child development to help kids learn and progress through the program.

• Skiing and riding are great ways to help develop and promote balance and strength at any age.

2. Ski lessons designed the way kids learn and play

Instructors at Shredder Ski + Snowboard follow an instruction model tailored to the way children think, behave and move.

The Shredder curriculum revolves around a teaching cycle of play, drill, adventure and summary.

Play and drill time gives kids a way to explore through their senses. What they see, feel, hear, even touch makes a difference in how they learn. Instructors use a series of activities and games to gauge each child’s balance awareness and movements.

Adventure time helps children try the sport on their own. They can practice skills learned during the session and get the encouragement they need to progress.

Summary time lets instructors review what the youngsters have learned during a session. It’s a time to remind students and parents what skills the class has worked on and specific ways your child has improved.

3. Get in gear with your gear

Boots, skis and boards are as essential for ski school as pens, pencils and paper are for back-to-school supplies. Many of today’s skiing schools for beginners provide essential ski and snowboard equipment as part of the instruction package.

Whether you send your toddler or your teen to snowsport camp, your child has access to equipment that fits right and is safe. Certified instructors at Shredder Ski + Snowboard make sure your student knows all the important parts – from tips to tail, bindings to brakes, and even where the foot goes.

4. Take the right position

 Balance, agility and control all depend on the right position – or athletic stance – whether it’s on skis or a snowboard. The right stance centers the upper body above the legs. That’s what keeps your balance over your sweet spot.

 It might take your child a few tries to get into that signature squatting position with a slight bend in ankles and knees. That’s why flat ground and encouragement from ski school teaching pros makes all the difference in the learning curve.

5. Shredder has age-appropriate snowboard and ski lessons for kids of all ages

• Yeti School parent-child classes introduce skiing and snowboarding lessons to children ages 9 months to 2.5 years.

• Little Shredders lessons introduce and strengthen skiing and snowboarding fundamentals for children age 2.5 to 5 with all ability levels.

• Ski and Snowboarding School gives kids 5 years and older a chance to learn advanced skiing and boarding skills.

6. Ski School Preview

There are many reasons why people go to skiing schools in Colorado to learn how to ski. A lesson from an instructor trained to teach you can make all the difference in your experience on the mountain.

An instructor knows how to watch each move, work with you to improve your technique and keep you from forming bad habits. They’re there to help, guide, teach and make your snow day terrific, from gearing up to gliding down the hill. Here’s a preview of a ski school experience.

A. Essential equipment

Boots – Ensure the right fit for your most important piece(es!) of equipment

Skis – Click in and out of ski bindings the right way

b. Staying upright

Balance, agility and control all depend on the right position – or athletic stance – for your body. (That signature squatting position? It happens only when you bend your knees.)

The basic athletic stance is simple: your feet are shoulder-width apart, elbows are forward, and your eyes are up. It centers your upper body above your legs, keeping your balance over your sweet spot.

It’s the best way to let the ski work for you, not against you.

c. Time to get moving

How to glide on snow

Why side-step up the hill

How to get up from a fall – push up or take off a ski to make standing up easier

d. Turn right, turn left, stop!

Turning and stopping are one and the same when skiing.

To stop, you need to learn how to turn: shift your weight from side to side.

e. Chairlift: Enjoy the ride

Getting on a chairlift is easy! Walk to the loading zone, wait for the chair, sit down, scoot back, pull the safety bar down. Take a look around – the view is great!

f. First-time moves

Now is when it all starts to come together!

• The right athletic stance

• Stay forward in front of your boots

• Stay balanced

• Push yourself and glide forward

• Enjoy!

Be on the right path with these ski tips and with Shredder Ski Indoor ski lessons!

Our magnificent Colorado mountains can’t offer year-round skiing or snowboarding, but Shredder can! When searching for the best ski lessons for kids in Colorado, consider that our indoor slopes are designed to mimic the mountains in a safe and smaller setting.

Our slopes are constructed with an artificial turf material that, when misted with a light layer of water, allows skis to slide and shape, emulating snow! Instructors and parents are not in ski gear and can move comfortably around the hill, spotting children to help them control their speed and shape. No special attire is needed in our climate-controlled facilities – just comfortable clothes.

The slopes will wait because you need our indoor, warm, and 100% safe slopes first. Trust us: We are a family who loves snow sports. Like other parents, ours patiently helped us from the beginning, waiting while we made our way slowly down the kiddie hill. But our trips to the slopes became a lot more fun when we could all ski and snowboard together.