PEAK Experiences: Instructor Guide

Progressive Experiences for Adventurous Kids

Welcome to PEAK Experiences—Park City Ski and Snowboard School's four-day rotating theme program designed to create unforgettable experiences for our guests. Each day brings something new, building excitement and giving families a reason to come back again and again.

This guide covers everything you need to know to deliver amazing theme day experiences.

The Four-Day Rotation

Day | Theme | Tagline | The Experience

1 | Scavenger Hunt | "Solve the Mountain" | Riddles hidden across terrain, ATP sticker reward

2 | Race Day | "Chase the Clock" | Timed runs through gates, personalized certificate

3 | Treat Day | "Sweet Runs Only" | Exclusive mid-mountain cookies for SRS guests

4 | Freestyle Day | "Find Your Style" | Intro to terrain park features in the corral

After Day 4, the rotation starts over. Guests who experience the full cycle often want to do it again with their new skills!

Day 1: Scavenger Hunt Day

"Solve the Mountain"

Overview Today's lesson incorporates a scavenger hunt with riddles placed throughout the terrain. Use this activity to reinforce safety awareness, terrain familiarity, and skiing/riding fundamentals while keeping learning fun and engaging.

Teaching Approach: PDAS Cycle

  • Play: The scavenger hunt IS the play—riddles create excitement and anticipation

  • Drill: Use the journey between signs to practice specific skills (wedge stops, speed control, turning)

  • Adventure: Navigate the mountain to find each clue—the terrain becomes the adventure

  • Summary: Debrief at each sign—what did we learn? How did we get here safely?

⚠️ Safety First

  • Assess your group's ability level and select the appropriate zone (Lower or Upper)

  • Review the Responsibility Code with your group before departing

  • Establish stopping points and regroup locations

  • Remind students to look uphill before starting and to stay in control

  • Never sacrifice safety for speed—it's not a race to finish all the riddles

Zone Assignment

Lower ZoneLevels 1-3: MV: Stope, Mule Train, Turtle Trail / CV: Mellow Moose, Hidden Bear

Upper ZoneLevels 4-7: MV: Claimjumper / CV: Kokopelli, Sidewinder

The Riddles

Guide students to figure out the answers—don't just give them away! Use open-ended questions: "What do you think?" "What clues are in the riddle?"

  1. "The Sideways Zoom" — Answer: Snowboard

  2. "The Magic Helper" — Answer: Helmet

  3. "The Cozy Tower" — Answer: Chairlift

  4. "The Quick Change" — Answer: Snow Boots / Ski Boots

  5. "The Windy Whisper" — Answer: Wind

  6. "The Buddy at the Bottom" — Answer: Ski / Snowboard Instructor

How to Run the Activity

  1. Introduce the hunt: "Today we're going on an adventure! There are riddles hidden on the mountain and we need to solve them all."

  2. Travel to each sign: Use the journey to practice skills. "Let's make 3 turns before we get to the next clue!"

  3. Read the riddle aloud: Let students guess. Celebrate correct answers enthusiastically!

  4. Connect to learning: "The answer is HELMET! Why do we wear helmets? That's right—safety!"

  5. Continue through terrain: Adapt based on time, energy, and group ability. You don't have to find every sign.

End of Day: Reward Distribution

  • Connect with your supervisor or support staff in the corral area

  • Each child receives 1 ATP sticker for participating

  • If stickers are unavailable, Laffy Taffy candy will be provided as backup

Instructor Tips

  • For younger children (ages 3-6): Read riddles slowly, use big expressions, celebrate every guess

  • For older children (ages 7-14): Let them read riddles themselves, encourage teamwork and discussion

  • CAP Model reminder: Consider Cognitive (can they process the riddle?), Affective (are they engaged?), and Physical (are they tired?) development

  • Build anticipation: "I wonder what tomorrow's theme day will be? Maybe RACE DAY!"

Day 2: Race Day

"Chase the Clock"

Overview Today's lesson features a race course with gates! Use this to teach speed control, line selection, and the fundamentals of turning through gates. The course is available all day for practice, with official timed runs from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM where each SRS guest receives a personalized certificate with their time.

Teaching Approach: PSIA-AASI Fundamentals Racing reinforces core skiing and riding fundamentals:

  • Speed Control: Managing speed through turn shape and edge engagement

  • Line Selection: Choosing the path that allows smooth, controlled turns

  • Balance & Stance: Maintaining athletic position through variable terrain

  • Edge Control: Using edges to carve around gates efficiently

⚠️ Safety First

  • Helmets are required for all participants (including adult guests)

  • Assess each student's ability before allowing them on the course

  • One racer on the course at a time

  • Clear the finish area before the next racer starts

  • Emphasize control over speed—it's not about being the fastest, it's about skiing/riding well

Course Locations

Mountain Village: Mule Train Learning Area

Canyons Village: Roped-off area, bottom skier's right of Mellow Moose

Schedule

MorningPractice runs through the course (untimed) – focus on technique

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Official timed runs – 1 run per guest, certificate provided

How to Run the Activity

Morning (Untimed Practice):

  1. Warm up first: Complete a few runs on regular terrain before approaching the course

  2. Inspect the course: Walk students through the gates visually. "See how they zigzag? That's the path we'll take."

  3. Demonstrate: Show them how to navigate gates with controlled turns

  4. Practice runs: Allow multiple attempts, focusing on technique over speed

  5. Group discussion: While waiting, have students discuss their tactics. "What worked? What will you try differently?"

Afternoon (Timed Runs – 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM):

  1. Bring your group to the course: Arrive during the timed window

  2. Wait for the signal: Staff at the finish will wave a pole when ready for the next racer

  3. One timed run per guest: Due to time and paper constraints, each guest gets one official timed run

  4. Collect certificates: Staff will hand certificates to you or directly to the guest

  5. Celebrate! Every time is a winning time. Focus on personal achievement, not comparison.

Managing the Line While waiting, keep students engaged:

  • Tactics discussion: "What's your plan? Are you going to go wide or tight around the gates?"

  • Watch and learn: "Watch this racer—what are they doing well?"

  • Visualization: "Close your eyes and imagine yourself skiing through each gate perfectly."

  • Movement prep: Practice athletic stance, edge tilting, and balance exercises

Instructor Tips

  • For nervous students: "It's just for fun! Your only goal is to make it through all the gates."

  • For competitive students: Channel their energy into self-improvement. "Can you beat your practice time?"

  • For younger children: Focus on the fun of going through gates, not the time

  • Build anticipation: "Great job today! Tomorrow is TREAT DAY—you've earned it!"

Day 3: Treat Day

"Sweet Runs Only"

Overview Today's lesson includes an exclusive mid-mountain treat break! Plan your lesson route to visit the cookie distribution station during one of the scheduled windows. This special perk is only for Ski and Snowboard School guests—make it feel like a VIP experience!

Teaching Approach: Building Anticipation Use the treat as a motivational anchor point in your lesson:

  • Early in the lesson: "We're going to work on some great skills today, and then we'll take a special break that only our group gets to do!"

  • Mid-lesson: "You're doing amazing! Let's practice a few more turns and then head to our treat station."

  • At the treat station: "You earned this! Great work today."

Distribution Windows

Morning Window: 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM

Afternoon Window 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Important: Plan your lesson route to hit the treat station during ONE of these windows. You cannot visit both.

Treat Station Locations

Mountain Village: Base of Mule Train by Coaster Bridge

Canyons Village: Old Moose Camp area on Mellow Moose

How to Plan Your Lesson

  1. Choose your window: Decide whether you'll visit during the morning or afternoon session

  2. Plan your route: Work backward from the treat station location to determine your terrain progression

  3. Build skills first: Use the first part of your lesson to work on fundamentals—the treat becomes the reward

  4. Arrive during the window: Time your arrival to fall within the distribution window

  5. Continue your lesson: After the treat break, transition back into skill development

At the Treat Station

  • Give your name to support staff: They will check you off the instructor list

  • One cookie per participant: Support staff will distribute cookies to each student

  • One visit per group: Once checked off, your group cannot return for seconds

  • Allergy awareness: If a student has dietary restrictions, ask support staff about ingredients

Making It Special This is a VIP experience! Reinforce the exclusivity:

  • "This is a secret spot that only Ski and Snowboard School students know about!"

  • "See all those people skiing by? They don't get cookies—but we do!"

  • "This is one of the special things we do during PEAK Experiences."

  • Take a group photo if parents have provided permission

CAP Model Considerations

  • Cognitive: Use the treat break to check understanding. "What did we work on today? Show me with your hands how you made that turn."

  • Affective: This is a feel-good moment. Reinforce positive emotions. "You should be proud of what you accomplished!"

  • Physical: The treat break provides rest and energy. Monitor energy levels before and after.

Instructor Tips

  • Morning window (10:30-11:15 AM): Good for younger groups who may tire before lunch

  • Afternoon window (1:00-2:30 PM): Good for older groups and provides a post-lunch energy boost

  • Build anticipation: "Tomorrow is FREESTYLE DAY—we're going to learn some really cool park moves!"

  • Parents will love this: Mention the treat experience at pickup. It reinforces the value of lessons.

Day 4: Freestyle Day

"Find Your Style"

Overview Today's lesson introduces guests to the foundations of freestyle using the PSIA-AASI ATML Model (Approach, Takeoff, Maneuver, Landing). Features are set up in the base corral areas for a safe, controlled introduction to terrain park basics.

Target Ages: 5 and up, with primary focus on ages 7-14

The ATML Framework (PSIA-AASI) ATML is the coaching model for teaching freestyle. Use this language with students:

Phase | What It Means | What to Tell Students

A – Approach | Line and speed into feature | "Point straight. Not too fast, not too slow."

T – Takeoff | Body position entering feature | "Stay tall. Knees soft, hands forward."

M – Maneuver | What you do on the feature | "Stay over your feet. Look where you're going."

L – Landing | How you exit the feature" | Soft knees to absorb. Ride it out smooth."

⚠️ Critical Safety Rules

🚨 CORRAL FEATURES ONLY 🚨

  • On-mountain terrain parks are OFF LIMITS to group lessons

  • NO AIR TIME: These are ground-level progressions only

  • Helmets required for all participants, including adult group lessons

  • One student at a time on each feature

  • Assess ability first: Students must stop and turn confidently before attempting features

Feature Locations

Mountain Village: The Corral (base corral area)

Canyons Village: Moose Camp Learning Area (base corral area)

The Freestyle Progression Follow this progression in order. Do not skip steps.

How to Teach Each Stage

Stage 1: Flat Plastic Piece or Flat Terrain

  • Goal: Feel a different surface while maintaining balance

  • ATML Focus: Approach (straight line) and Maneuver (stay balanced)

  • Cue: "Slide straight across. Keep your hands forward and stay balanced."

Stage 2: Bamboo Sticks

  • Goal: Slide over an object OR small hop

  • ATML Focus: Full sequence—Approach, Takeoff (flex), Maneuver (compact), Landing (absorb)

  • Cue: "Glide right over it. Feel that bump? That's what a rail feels like."

Stage 3: Flat Box or Flat Terrain

  • Goal: Intro box slide on wider, low-to-ground surface

  • ATML Focus: Commit to line, neutral stance, center of mass over feet

  • Cue: "Point straight, stay tall, ride it to the end. Look where you're going!"

Stage 4: Box/Ramp Combo

  • Goal: Dynamic box slide with elevation change

  • ATML Focus: Full ATML—controlled approach, balanced takeoff, stable maneuver, soft landing

  • Cue: "Same as before—commit, stay balanced, ride it out. You've got this!"

CAP Model Considerations

  • Cognitive (ages 5-6): Keep it simple. "Slide straight. Stay tall." One thing at a time.

  • Cognitive (ages 7-14): Use full ATML language. Let them self-analyze.

  • Cognitive (ages 15+): Use full ATML language. Let them self-analyze.

  • Affective: Freestyle is exciting—celebrate attempts, not just successes!

  • Physical: Watch for fatigue. Balance demands are high.

Instructor Tips

  • Demonstrate first: Show what success looks like

  • Spot when needed: Provide physical support for nervous students

  • Use imagery: "Be like a surfer" or "Strong like a superhero"

  • Build anticipation: "Which day was your favorite? Come back and do it all again!"

Quick Reference: What to Remember Each Day

What Guests Get

Scavenger Hunt: All day: Lower or Upper Zone: ATP sticker

Race Day: Timed runs 1:00-2:00 PM: Mule Train (MV) / Mellow Moose (CV): Certificate with time

Treat Day: 10:30-11:00 AM or 1:00-2:00 PM: Base of Mule Train (MV) / Old Moose Camp (CV): Rice Krispie.

Freestyle Day: All day: The Corral (MV) / Moose Camp Learning Area (CV): New skills!

The Why Behind PEAK

Every resort teaches skiing. Every resort has instructors. But not every resort creates a program that has kids counting down the days until their next lesson.

When you read that riddle with the perfect dramatic pause... when you high-five them at the finish line... when you make a kid feel like a VIP getting their special treat... you're not just teaching turns. You're creating memories.

That's what PEAK Experiences is all about. And that's what makes Park City Ski and Snowboard School different.

Let's make it unforgettable.

Park City Ski and Snowboard School – Where Adventure Begins