SNOW SCHOOL TRAINING
MORNING SESSION
Elective (Unpaid) Training
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Elective (Unpaid) Training 〰️
Morning Session
Everyday starting from: TBD
Morning session is one of the greatest privileges for instructors. It is a great way to experience the conditions in order to plan your day and improve your teaching/skiing/riding skills. In order to make sure that we keep this privilege, please stay with your session leader and be on time. Sessions start at 7:40 at each base. If you are late, you will not be permitted to load.
New from Feb 2025 - You must sign your online Morning Session Acknowledgement DAILY before heading up. Please show confirmation to your Morning Session Leader.
Blackcomb - meet at the Gondola at Blackcomb Base
Whistler - meet on the patio across from the Whistler Village Gondola. We will load in specific training groups after First Tracks guests have loaded
Creekside - meet on the WKids patio closest to the Creekside Gondola
Blackcomb/Creekside Bases special notes:
You must be in uniform to participate in session on Blackcomb and Creekside
On any days were we have 15 cm or more of overnight snow (as per the 6am snow report), session will wait and load with public. The rule does not exist on Whistler because Fresh Tracks allows for earlier clearance by Patrol.
Please Note: There are days that due to heavy snow and operational delays that session may be cancelled or delayed. We will try to communicate these through our Facebook page and Whatsapp channels.
If you are found not following any of the following AM session policies, your opportunity to participate in training will be suspended.
Do not load without a session leader
Stay with a session leader until you are released
Warm up before you slide
Your First run is to be at 60% of your speed and challenge level on groomed /on piste terrain.
Adhere to the designated routes outlined by your session leader
Give each other space to avoid collisions
Do not pass the session leader unless instructed to do otherwise.
Morning Session Policies
AM Sessions
All sessions will be led by a designated leader who will call for clearance at the top before sliding.
Whistler: 905-2333. You can use the Mountain Host hut at the top to call using just 2333.
Blackcomb: Use a cell phone and call 604-905-2323.
These numbers are connected to Alpine Office on each hill and will give you clearance to proceed with session.
All staff must load with a session leader.
Stragglers will not be allowed to load after session has left the base.
Anyone skiing/riding without a session leader will be suspended from AM session for the remainder of the season.
Staff are required to sign up in advance for AM session using Proconnect.
CSIA/CASI/PSIC Session leaders will be allowed to load with AM session. They will be part of the WB snow school sessions, wait for clearance and abide by the same rules as WB SS Sessions.
SAFETY FIRST - All Participants are required to do a physical warm up before sliding and are to ski/ride at 60% of their normal speed and challenge level on at to allow the body and brain to warm up.
*Note that there may some blackout days over holidays or busy periods. These will be communicated by management and will be unavailable for sign up in Proconnect.
AM Session – Park Safety Policy
1. First Run: Skill‑Building Lap (Mandatory)
The first run of the day must not be in the park.
This run must focus on skills and tactics that directly support safe park riding.
Intensity should be kept to ~60%.
Goal: reinforce fundamentals (stance, pressure control, line choice, speed management, spatial awareness).
2. Second Run: Reasonable Park Pre‑Ride (Mandatory)
The second run may enter the park but must remain a controlled pre‑ride, also at ~60%.
No spins or high‑risk maneuvers on this lap.
The purpose is to:
Inspect features
Assess speed
Note snow conditions, ruts, lips, and landings
Set safe expectations for students
Overall Intent:
Create a consistent, safe progression by ensuring instructors warm up properly and model the “Look → Ride → Adjust” principles before allowing students to attempt features.
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Whistler Mountain:
7:45 AM upload from the Whistler Village Gondola (we will use the WKids entrance door) unless otherwise instructed by validating staff.
If First Tracks is running, uniforms will not be required. (Early season before this program is running, instructors will need to be in uniform)
All staff to load with session leaders and be identified to scanners as being part of morning session.
Terrain Availability:
Session leaders will not be permitted to ski under lift lines and will remain on ‘on piste’ runs for the first lap. (on powder days, this means that the run has been groomed underneath for an even surface)
(avoid Roundhouse Roll, Raven, Seppo’s).
After the first run there are no terrain restrictions as Session will be skiing with First Tracks guests. -
Blackcomb Mountain:
7:45 AM upload from the bottom of the Blackcomb Gondola
Uniforms mandatory for all participants.
15 cm rule: On days where the 6:00 am Snow Report has recorded 15 cm or more of new snow, Session will have to wait and load with public.
Terrain Availability:
Session will be restricted to the following runs until public has loaded:
Wishbone, Zig Zag
Wishbone, Cougar Milk, Buzz Cut to Zig Zag
Easy Out to Big Easy or Countdown. Upload Catskinner Chair or use Slingshot if groomed. (If Slingshot is sketchy and there is a need to go to the base, travel across to Zig Zag to avoid skiing under lifts.
Raptor’s Ride - not for 1st run to allow for a proper warm up first -
Creekside:
7:45 AM upload on Mondays and Wednesdays
Uniforms mandatory for all participants
Staff to be scanned using the Kids snow school entrance
Call Alpine Office for clearance at the top of the Creekside gondola. If Big Red has been cleared for First Tracks, then session will be able to use that lift, otherwise will proceed to the creekside base using it’s designated route.
15 cm rule: On days where the 6:00 am Snow Report has recorded 15 cm or more of new snow, Session will have to wait and load with public.
Terrain Availability:
Same as listed for Whistler Mountain.
Designated route from top of Creekside gondola down = Crossroads to Lower Dave Murray
Session leaders will always remain in bounds, and not permitted in Marginal, Closed or Permanently Closed areas.
WHISTLER Morning Session Meeting Locations
Due to the volume we get at Whistler Morning Session, we have designated areas once at the top of the gondola to meet your session leader.
Snowboarders will always call for clearance. Do not set off before clearance has been given and ALWAYS ride with your session leader. If your group are not there, join another or wait at the lightboard for them to come back around. NEVER ride alone.