Bear Mountain’s snowsports education programs are focused on keeping the experience simple, fun and to make certain that each individual has the opportunity to enjoy a complete mountain experience. At the region’s largest beginner area, first-timers and novices enjoy more room to learn, more freedom to practice their new skills with less sense of being inhibited by time restrictions. The self-paced program begins at the base area where coaches are available to assist students in the equipment rental and fitting process. A quick base area learning session, to familiarize students with their new gear and the on-hill learning program specifics, is a prelude to loading on a shuttle bus that takes students to the top of the beginner area. The shuttle gives first-timers an opportunity to learn the basics before tackling the loading and unloading of the chair lift. Once first-timers are ready, they can get to the top quickly and safely with use of the Access Express high-speed detachable quad chair lift that speeds up the hill but slows to a crawl for loading and unloading.

Bear Mountain’s teaching programs take new skiers and riders on a self-paced progression through multiple learning zones. Specific new skills are learned in each zone. Coaches that excel in teaching a specific skill are stationed in the corresponding zone to work with students until they grasp a command of the skill and a comfort level that allows them to progress on to the next zone.

Students will find a variety of “Smart Terrain” features that are contoured into the teaching zones. The features are designed to guide students into a variety of natural learning progressions and limit the fear and fatigue normally associated with learning to ski or snowboard. The downhill slope of the beginner area gently leads into uphill snow ramps that keep students from gaining to much momentum. S and J shape banked turns are used to guide students into natural turning. Two-foot U-shaped ditches, also known as miniature half-pipes are used to teach the basics of maneuvering through natural trail slopes

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Winter-sports enthusiasts seeking the ultimate thrill of gliding down snow-covered slopes should look no further than Big Bear Mountain Resorts—Southern California’s best place to learn how to snowboard. Combining Burton’s Method Center and Learn to Ride (LTR) program along with the region’s largest beginner areas, small class sizes, moving-carpet surface lifts and more, students are ensured to have a fun, safe and complete learning experience at their own pace that will keep them coming back for more.

The LTR program at Bear starts in the base area, where professional coaches assist students in the equipment rental and fitting process. Here, students are provided with Burton’s beginner-tested equipment that is fitted specifically to each individual’s needs based on their height, age and gender to maximize their learning potential. The boards have a durable and easy-to-maintain extruded base that it is constructed with Biax glass to help make turning easy, as well as 3° edge bevels for predictable turns with catch-free confidence. The LTR boots and bindings are made to fit properly, adjust easily and be comfortable elements of the learning process.

The main goal of the LTR program is to offer smaller class sizes so each student receives proper attention from his or her instructor. Bear Mountain utilizes standard teaching methods to guide students into natural learning progressions. Moving-carpet surface lifts are also used to take students to the top of the slope while they remain strapped into their equipment. The moving carpets act as valuable teaching aids that allow students to get real on-hill instruction prior to tackling the more difficult loading and unloading of chairlifts.

Whether you prefer to conquer jumps and jibs, are in search of beautiful scenery on a mellow run or just want to link your first turns, Bear Mountain offers the perfect venue for all people with a desire to learn how to snowboard. Having Burton’s LTR program at Bear Mountain guarantees adults, kids and freestyle riders will gain the most from their learning experiences on their way to hopefully becoming lifelong snowboarders.

For more info on Burton’s LTR program, please visit http://www.burton.com/learntoride/default.asp.

The Kids’ Method Center was developed by Burton to provide a snowboarding experience for children ages 12 and under that creates life long memories. The kids program utilizes; video games, balance boards, fingerboard parks and pipes as teaching tools during the snowboard lesson to enhance the learning experience. Resorts with a Kids’ Method Center are able to create an atmosphere that will give kids an unbelievable introduction into the lifestyle of snowboarding.

The United States Adaptive Recreation Center located at Bear Mountain Resort offers a wonderful opportunity for handicapped persons to ski. For all of the details about this unique program click here to access the USARC web site.