FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions and other info.
Q: What are the temperature cut offs for lessons.
A: The hills temperature cut off is -25, meaning anything colder and the hill will shut down. The Snow School generally follows the hills lead but will take into consideration the age of students for that timeframe. The thought process is, if a lift attendant can stand still outside appropriately dressed then students can engage in an active lesson. Often students stay warm and sweat due to all the moving around they do.
Q: If I cancel lessons within 24 hours due to colder temperature that are above -25 will I receive a refund?
A: If the Snow School initiates the cancelation or rescheduling due to temperature or weather then a refund or reschedule will be offered. However, if you initiate the cancellation and we still plan to run lessons that night, it is considered a no show. Without providing more than 24 hours notice, no refund will be issued. We do not cancel lessons due to too much snow or rain unless it poses a risk or hazard. Weather is dynamic and so are we, sometimes this guideline will change depending on circumstances.
Q: Do you factor windchill and “feels like” into cold temp cut off?
A: Typically no, the hill is uniquely placed that it’s often sheltered from prevailing winds. If in the event the winds change then cold temp cut off consideration will take place. Properly dressing for the weather will help block wind chill and keep you warm.
Q: It’s cold out and lessons are still on, will me or my child stay warm?
A: Your safety is our number one concern. Our instructors will consistently monitor you for warmth and comfort and take warm up breaks inside if needed. Often students come inside and are hot if appropriately dressed. There is a lot of movement and new muscle being worked which generates a lot of heat.
Q: I purchased a season pass how do I pick it up.
A: Being a separate business, the Snow School has nothing to do with seasons passes. You must contact the ski hill directly for season pass questions.
Q: I want to speak to the snow school director. Why is there no phone number for the snow school?
A: The Snow School Director / Owner works a full time career outside of the hill and is not always available to take phone calls. He monitors his e-mail daily and this is the best way to get ahold of him- info@hartsnowschool.com . Phone calls can be arranged through e-mail.
Q: I called the hill and the person that answered could not provide any info about lessons.
A: The snow school is a separate business from the hill. Therefore calling the staff at the hill will typically result in not much information. The kitchen staff usually answers the phone and their wheelhouse is the kitchen not lessons. Please review this website or e-mail info@hartsnowschool.com for questions regarding lessons.
Q: Is the Snow School operated by the hill?
A: No, the snow school is a separately ran private business that operates at the Hart Ski Hill. The hill was traditionally operated by volunteers and did not have the ability to manage a snow school. The snow school has been privately owned since 1986 changing ownership in 2017. The snow school has always been owned and managed by an instructor that works very closely with the hill management.
Q: Are the instructors full time?
A: No, all our instructors are part time. Majority are college and high school students or work day jobs and instruct in their spare time.
Q: Are drop in lessons available?
A: No, Lessons must be pre booked online. We do not have the staffing capabilities to have an instructor available solely for drop in lesson.
Q: Are lessons just for kids?
A: No, lessons are available for all ages. There are some minimum ages for certain group lessons however we offer private lesson and group lessons for all ages.
Q: Are lessons just for beginners?
A: We offer lessons for all abilities. If you you are beyond the beginner stage consider taking an intermediate group lesson, private lesson or a freestyle lesson.
Q: I don’t see the date that I want to book available?
A: Our schedule reflects what is currently available. All our instructors are part time and each one has a unique schedule. If you do not see the date you want, it is because it’s unavailable at that time. This is based on the instructors schedule for that day. If another instructor becomes available then the time slot may open up. Sometimes we don’t know until a week in advance who will be available.
Q: I have my own equipment to use for group lessons. Do I receive a discount for group lessons that include rentals with the price?
A: No, group lessons are a flat rate. Having your own equipment does not result in a discount on group lessons. Equipment is included in beginner group lessons but if you have your own it is recommended to use the gear you will use most often.
Q: My child is 5 years old turning 6 in May. Can we register for group Ski lessons this season?
A: No, we have a minimum age for a reason. Experience has shown us that students under 6, regardless of maturity or development, need a lot of one on one attention which would take the instructor away from the other students in the class. Private lessons are the better choice in this situation.
Q: My child is 6 or below and has a sibling in group lesson. Can we register for group Snowboard lessons this season?
A: No our minimum age for snowboard group lessons is 7. This is because students younger than 7 require 1 on 1 attention form the instructor. At this age students typically skip learning one footed skills and lack the ability to move around on flat ground. The instructor will potentially need to push or pull the student around. This can be very physically taxing and it is unrealistic to manually move more than 1 student up and down the learning centre. Private lessons are the better choice in this situation.
Q: I have booked multiple private lessons throughout the season. Why am I not getting the same instructor each time?
A: This can be caused by the way our program books the next available instructor. Or the instructor simply does not work on all the dates you have booked. We can provide individual instructors booking page so you can book only that instructors calendar. Instructor requests are available when booking, however if the requested instructor is not available for that time then another instructor will be assigned to your lesson. We try to catch this but you may not be notified if your requested instructor is not available
Q: Why are there no lessons available during the weekday daytime hours?
A: The ski hill is booked during the day (Monday - Friday) for school field trips. All available instructors are assigned to lessons for these field trips and are unavailable for general public lessons.
CBA GRom Park by one boardshop and hart snowschool
In September 2019, Crossroads brewery held an outdoor street festival where they invited the snow school to host a summer version of our learn to ride park aka “GROM” park sponsored by CBA Skateboards, ONE Boardshop and the Hart Snow School. This pop up park is designed for ages 3-6 to have their first interaction with sport of snowboarding, using specially made board (supplied by one Boardshop) that are designed for toddlers with catch free edges, forgiving flex and super fun graphics. The Equipment combined with a professional teacher leaves smiles on every kids face!
RETIREMENT letter from the snow schools previous owners Wayne and Lisa Kemp
November 2017.
A big thank you to all who have made the Hart Highlands Ski School great!
It is with appreciation and mixed emotions that we, Wayne & Lisa Kemp announce our retirement from the Hart Highland Ski School.
The Ski School has been a true source of pride and enjoyment for our family over the years. Our own children grew up on the hill learning to ski and snowboard and when they were old enough, they too became certified instructors and taught for many years before entering into careers of their own.
Prince George is very fortunate to have such a unique hill located in the heart of the community and only minutes from town. We have been privileged to instruct so many of your children, grandchildren and even yourselves. To have been able to watch the confidence of a beginner grow with the proper guidance as they learn to navigate the hill and the sport of skiing and snowboarding has been truly rewarding.
We have been operating the Hart Highland Ski School from the Hart Highlands Winter Club for about 30 years and during that time the community, staff, and volunteers have been a big part of our winter family.
The time has come for the next generation to continue and grow the ski school. Adam Dumonceaux has been a loyal, dependable instructor, and assistant director for more than 10 years and is the only level 3 certified snowboard instructor in Prince George. We are lucky to have someone with his credentials and passion for the sport and we are confident that Adam will do wonderful things as the next director of the Hart Snow School.
Wayne and Lisa Kemp again would like to thank each of our loyal and dedicated instructors and admin staff along with all the directors, staff, and volunteers at the Club from the cafeteria, to rental staff, lifties and ski patrol; and especially to all of you that have participated in lessons with the Hart Highland Ski School making it successful for the past 30 years.
We wish all of you great success in the future winter seasons to come.
Wayne & Lisa