# Aspen ski school: kids' programs and adult lessons

> Aspen Snowmass ski school 2026–27: kids' programs from age 2.5 (from $279), adult groups of five on all four mountains, Snowmass vs Buttermilk, booking rules.

Canonical page: https://aspenprive.com/aspen-ski-school/  
Updated: 2026-11-10 · Publisher: Aspen Privé (local Aspen stay planning and concierge)

Aspen Snowmass runs group lessons by age, in **groups of no more than five**, from **age 2.5 at the Treehouse (Snowmass) and The Hideout (Buttermilk)** up to 17. **Child and teen group lessons start at $279**; **kids 6 and under ski free**, and ages 7–17 get an **$86 lift ticket** with a group lesson. Booking **seven days ahead** gets the best price.

From Aspen Snowmass's child and adult group lesson pages, checked November 8, 2026. Prices are "from" figures and change by date; we confirm yours when we book.

## Which program for which child

- **Ages 2.5–3**: Morning program with a one-hour ski experience and indoor age-specific rooms, at the Treehouse (Snowmass) or The Hideout (Buttermilk). Includes lesson, child care, lift ticket, equipment, lunch and snacks; helmet required.
- **Ages 3–4**: Full day, max five per group, skiing only, at Buttermilk and Snowmass. Must be potty trained. Includes lesson, child care, lift ticket, lunch and snacks.
- **Ages 5–6**: Full day, ski or snowboard, at Buttermilk and Snowmass, or Aspen Highlands for skiers at blue level or higher. Includes lesson, lift ticket, lunch and snacks.
- **Ages 7–12**: Full day, ski or snowboard, at Buttermilk, Snowmass or Highlands (ski only, blue or higher). Includes lesson, lunch, snacks and a discounted ticket.
- **Ages 13–17**: Full day, ski or snowboard, at the same three mountains. Lesson and discounted ticket; bring lunch money.
- **Highlands program, 7–14**: Multi-week program for level 5 skiers and above, with weekly themes: bumps, racing, freestyle and more.

## Want the mornings to run themselves? (what Aspen Privé arranges)

We book the right program for each child, have rentals fitted at the house the night before and a driver for the drop-off at the Treehouse or Buttermilk. If you'd rather have one instructor for the family, we book a private. [Send ages and dates](https://aspenprive.com/contact.html?service=ski-mornings&from=aspen-ski-school).

## Snowmass or Buttermilk?

- **Snowmass**: The Treehouse Kids' Adventure Center at the base: the youngest programs (from age 2.5) and plenty of beginner terrain.
- **Buttermilk**: The Hideout and the gentlest mountain, closest to Aspen. Note Buttermilk closes earliest: April 4 in 2027.
- **Aspen Highlands**: For confident children at blue level or higher, ages 5 and up, skiing only.
- **Aspen Mountain**: No beginner terrain; Aspen Snowmass lists no children's group lessons there.

## Adult group lessons and clinics

- **Group size**: No more than five guests per group, as for children.
- **Where**: Ski lessons on all four mountains; snowboard group lessons at Snowmass and Buttermilk only.
- **Levels**: Group lessons for green-level skiers and riders, a For Beginners lesson for those not quite confident on beginner runs, and clinics from blue level up.
- **First-timers**: 3-Day First Time package: complete three lessons and ski and rent free for the rest of the season. 1-Day and 3-Day lesson packages bundle ticket, lesson and rental.
- **Lift ticket**: Booking a group lesson or clinic unlocks a discounted ticket: $174 for adults, $86 for seniors 65+.
- **Clinics**: Women's Edge (four days, Monday to Thursday, January to March) and a race clinic for 18+ (10 a.m.–1 p.m., Aspen Mountain Mondays, Snowmass Fridays, from January).

## What it costs, and what to know

- **Price**: Group lessons from $279 per day. First Time Package (ticket, lesson, rental) from $348 booked in advance.
- **Tickets**: 6 and under ski free; 7–17 get an $86 ticket with a group lesson.
- **Booking**: Reservations required; book at least seven days ahead. Cancellations 48 hours or more ahead are fully refundable. Waivers required for 17 and under.
- **Rentals**: Up to 20% off booked 30+ days ahead with Aspen Snowmass, or have skis delivered and fitted at the house.

## Questions

**What age can kids start ski school in Aspen?**  
Aspen Snowmass's youngest program is for ages 2.5–3, at the Treehouse in Snowmass or The Hideout at Buttermilk. Full-day group lessons start at age 3 (potty trained).

**How much is ski school in Aspen?**  
Aspen Snowmass lists child and teen group lessons from $279. Kids 6 and under ski free, and 7–17 get an $86 lift ticket with a group lesson.

**Which Aspen mountain is best for kids' ski school?**  
Snowmass and Buttermilk run all ages. Highlands takes confident skiers 5 and up at blue level. Aspen Mountain has no beginner terrain.

**Does Aspen ski school have adult lessons?**  
Yes. Aspen Snowmass runs adult group lessons of no more than five on all four mountains (snowboarding at Snowmass and Buttermilk), plus clinics and a 3-Day First Time package. A group lesson unlocks a $174 adult lift ticket.

**Is Snowmass or Buttermilk better for ski school?**  
Both run every children's age group. Snowmass has the Treehouse and the biggest choice of beginner terrain; Buttermilk is the gentlest mountain and closest to Aspen, but closes earliest (April 4, 2027).

**Group lesson or private instructor?**  
Group lessons are capped at five and suit a child happy with peers. A private instructor keeps a family together on one schedule and can ski any mountain; see our private instructor guide.

**How far ahead should I book Aspen ski school?**  
At least seven days ahead for the best price; holiday weeks earlier. Cancellations 48+ hours ahead are fully refundable.

**Can Aspen Privé book ski school for us?**  
Yes: the programs, rentals fitted at the house and drivers for drop-off and pick-up, or a private instructor instead.

## What Aspen Privé can arrange for this

Rentals fitted at home, drop-offs handled and a sitter for the evenings.

- [Ski mornings, handled](https://aspenprive.com/contact.html?service=ski-mornings): Skis fitted at the house the night before, the gear carried to the lift in the morning and collected when the lifts close. You ski; we handle the equipment.
- [Ski rental delivered](https://aspenprive.com/ski-rental-delivery-aspen/): Fitted at the residence, not in a shop queue.
- [Private ski instructor](https://aspenprive.com/private-ski-instructor-aspen/): A private lesson matched to the skier and the mountain.
- [A nanny or babysitter](https://aspenprive.com/contact.html?service=childcare): We find and brief a nanny or babysitter for the days the little ones aren't in ski school, or the evenings you go out: at the house, the same person all week if you like.

## Sources (checked November 8, 2026)

- [Aspen Snowmass: Child & teen group lessons](https://www.aspensnowmass.com/visit/lessons/child-group-lessons)
- [Aspen One: 2026–27 season dates (Sept. 9, 2026)](https://aspen.com/articles/winter-season-dates-pass-deadlines/)

## Related

- [Skiing with kids](https://aspenprive.com/skiing-in-aspen-with-kids/): Which mountain, which week.
- [Private ski instructor](https://aspenprive.com/private-ski-instructor-aspen/): One instructor for the family.
- [Learn to ski](https://aspenprive.com/learn-to-ski-aspen/): Adults starting out.
- [Ski season dates](https://aspenprive.com/aspen-ski-season-dates/): When each mountain opens.

To plan or request any of this: https://aspenprive.com/plan-your-trip/ · https://aspenprive.com/contact.html