Skiing & Snowboarding 101 | Blue Mountain Ski Area

Blue Mountain Ski Area
2011.2012

Congratulations! You have decided to take the plunge and try skiing or snowboarding. Spending a few minutes on this site is a great first step towards an exciting first day experience and the beginning of a love affair with the mountains and winter.

This web page will provide you with a wide range of information that will answer many of your questions about your first day skiing or snowboarding at Blue Mountain.  You can use this page two ways.  Read it from top to bottom for everything you need to know to get started. Or, if you have a specific question, simply click on one of the links below and go straight to your area of interest.

Before Leaving for Blue Mountain

Getting yourself in shape:
Skiing and snowboarding are great exercises because they use all parts of your body. Taking time to get in shape will make your day more enjoyable and help you avoid sore muscles the next morning. Light jogging, walking, and cycling are excellent for strengthening you legs and heart, but don’t forget your upper body. Also, stretching will minimize sore muscles the morning after you visit us.

Dress for the day on the slopes:
Dressing properly will assure you a warm, dry day on the slopes.
1. Dress in layers. Several thin layers are warmer than one bulky layer. Start with insulated long underwear and end with a windproof/waterproof outer layer. Layers may include a turtleneck, fleece pullover or sweater, parka and pants. Blue jeans or warm-up pants are not an ideal outer layer for your legs as they will become wet and cold. Snow pants work much better.
2. Avoid cotton next to the skin. Cotton does not wick moisture away from the skin and will quickly become cold and clammy. Newer synthetic materials will keep you much more comfortable.
3. Wear a hat or helmet. Almost 80% of your body’s heat loss is through the head. Helmets are available to rent in our Rental Shops or to purchase in our Skier’s Store.
4. Cover your hands with good, insulated leather or nylon mittens or gloves. Avoid cloth or knit ones as snow will stick to them and you will quickly have wet, cold hands.
5. Sun reflects off snow, so don’t forget UV filtering sunglasses or goggles and sunscreen. (Yes, you can get sunburned on a winter day.)
6. Wear one pair of good wool socks. Two pairs of socks will create a loose fit for your ski or snowboard boots and cause blisters.
7. Pants should be worn outside your ski or snowboard boots, Tucking pants inside your boots will cause wet feet and sore shins.

From Home to Hill
Unlike many other ski areas, you won’t be spending most of your first day driving to the slopes. Blue Mountain, Pennsylvania is close and convenient to metropolitan areas. Blue Mountain is less than 30 minutes from the Lehigh Valley and less than 1 1/2 hour from Philadelphia and New York City.
Click here for map and directions to Blue Mountain

Arriving at the Mountain

Blue Mountain has three lodges with parking lots; the Summit Lodge, the Valley Lodge, and the Adventure Center (snow tubing area located next to the Valley Lodge). We offer incredible first time packages at a reduced cost (lift ticket, rental, and lesson) at both the Summit and Valley locations so you can go to either to get started. If you come with friends, be sure to specify a meeting time and place for later in case you get separated. (Cell phones may prove helpful also.)  Note:  weekdays are the least crowded weekdays are the least crowded days at Blue Mountain. If you can, convince your boss that a midweek day at the mountain is therapeutic and will increase your productivity at work, come see us mid-week.

What to Expect at the Mountain
The Summit and Valley Lodges provide “Skier and Boarder Drop Off Areas” directly in front of the entrances. Drop off your friends or family and leave your backpack of duffel with them for an easier walk from the parking lot.

Where to Go:
If you park at the Valley Lodge, we suggest you go directly to the Valley Lodge Rental Shop where you can purchase your “First Time on Skis or Snowboard Package.” At the Summit Lodge, you can purchase this package at the Ticket Windows (across from the Rental Shop), in the Rental Shop or at the Learning Center. Wherever you choose to start, be sure to tell the cashier you want the First Time Package. The package includes a lift ticket for the learning areas, rental equipment, and self-paced lesson.  This is a great bargain plus it saves you the trouble of picking up the equipment from a local shop, hauling it to the area, and returning it.  Check out the price on this website and you will be amazed what a bargain it is. The First Time Package is the easiest way to get started.  Note, your experienced friends should check out our All Mountain Package for another great deal.

Rental Shop:
Rental technicians will ask you questions such as your weight, ability, and shoe size. They will use this information to adjust the equipment specifically for you. If you have questions, please ask! You are not expected to know everything and our employees will be happy to help. Note, a credit card or photo ID is required to rent skis or snowboards.

Blue Learning Center:
When you have your lift pass and rental equipment, head for the learning center at the Summit or in the Valley. Instructors will be there to help you get started right. Both ski and snowboard lessons in the first time package are self-paced, so you can spend an hour or all day honing your skills until you can make controlled, linked turns. When you need a break, go inside and come out later where you can pick up where you left off. This is a unique experience offered by Blue Mountain to help you gain the most from your first day on the slopes. You will leave at the end of the day with a smile on your face and a new love for winter.

Click here for more information on Ski and Snowboard Lessons 

Other Tips and Services
• Ski and Snowboard Check - When you take a break from the slopes, please use the free ski and snowboard board check outside either lodge. Many skis and board look similar and using the free check will assure you retrieve  the equipment set up exclusively for you when you are ready to head back onto the slopes.
• Food Services – Skiing and Snowboarding burn calories. Blue Mountain serves some of the best food you will find at any ski area. Hamburgers, pizza, hot soup, are other choices are available inside all lodges, including  the Adventure Lodge at the snow tubing area, and at several satellite locations close to the slopes. You are never far from a great bite to eat.
• Trail Layout and Slope Difficulty – Not all trails are created equal! Blue Mountain has a huge variety of trails from gentle learning and practice slopes to gut-wrenching drops. All first time lessons are conducted on trails suited to learning in a safe environment. When you become a more accomplished skier or snowboarder, use the available trail maps to help guide you to appropriate slopes. Blue Mountain uses an internationally recognized code of green circles to designate easiest slopes, blue squares to denote more difficult trails, and black diamonds mark trails for experts only. Orange ovals indicate “freestyle” terrain.
• Ski Patrol – The Blue Mountain Ski Patrol is staffed by members of the National Ski Patrol. You can recognize them by their red parkas with the yellow NSP cross on the back. Stop a patroller if you need assistance. They are here for you safety.
• Ski Shop – The True Blue Ski Shop is located in the Summit Lodge just past the ticket windows. It is a great place to find a hat, gloves, mittens, or any other item you need for skiing of snowboarding. The shop is also the place to find a souvenir of your first day on skis of snowboard.
• Other Services – Blue Mountain has lockers for your gear, seating areas and restrooms throughout the lodges for your convenience. 
• Tubing – Blue Mountain has a large, exciting snow tubing area adjacent to the Valley Lodge. This is a perfect place for the non-skier who wants to come with you or, a great way to complete your day at Blue Mountain. Check it out!
• Luge – New this year, Blue Mountain offers a luge experience. Fun to watch, but more fun to try!
• Special Needs/Adaptive Ski Program – We now offer ski programs for those with visual impairments or who have a form of the autism spectrum disorder and other types of development delay issues. Contact our Call Center at (610) 826-7700 for more information.

We look forward to seeing you on the slopes this season. We know you will have a great time!

Contact our Call Center at 610-826-7700 for more information.