Thank you for choosing Mount Pakenham's "Physical Education through Skiing, Snowboarding and Snowshoe" program.

Group Organizer

Teachers


A breath of fresh air for your classroom!


Our "Outdoor Recreation through Skiing, Snowboarding, and Snowshoeing" program will meet and exceed the overall and specific expectations outlined in the Health and Physical Education Curriculum. It is our policy to ensure that our programs stand behind and follow the safety guidelines set forth by your Board, the Ministry of Education, Ontario Ski Resorts Association and especially the "Physical Education Ontario Safety Guidelines" recommended by the OSBIE (Ontario School Boards' Insurance Exchange) and OPHEA (Ontario Physical Health Education Association).


  • Education rates are based on minimum group size of 25 students
  • Our group lesson program is designed for ages 8+ (Grades 2 and up)
  • School supervisors on the slopes must be competent skiers or snowboarders. Supervisors must also accompany students on snowshoe trails (no prior experience required).
  • If your students emotional, intellectual, behavioral challenges or physical abilities require special adaptive equipment and training, Mount Pakenham partners with CADS
  • Review the following safety links with Students: our Skiing-in-Schools Video, the Alpine Responsibility Code and some short videos on how to dress, have a great day and stay safe on the slopes.
  • Please see our Trip Planning Checklist and Teacher FAQ for helpful tips.

Check out these videos (https://schoolsonsnow.ca/for-educators/) for educators to help you prepare for your day on the slopes.


Arrival Procedure


Bus


The organizer for the trip comes inside our main lodge (big red doors) to check in and pick up the passes for the group. Students STAY ON THE BUS! Mount Pakenham Snow School staff board the bus to conduct a brief safety overview and explain important organizational procedures.


Enter the chalet as a group after your briefing. School groups will each have a designated area in the lodge to keep their belongings.


Non-Renters: Please leave your equipment outside (skis, poles, and snowboards).


General


Our chalet includes a full cafeteria.


All School Trip participants must wear a helmet including students, parents, teachers and/or volunteers.


Lift Tickets


Teachers/Trip Organizers:

  • Proceed to our front desk to obtain lift tickets to distribute to students.
  • Students attach their lift ticket on an article or clothing they will wear all day. It must be visible at all times.


Rentals


Students renting will be asked for their:

  • Weight
  • Height
  • Shoe size


Lockers


Protect your belongings! Please do not bring valuables on school trips. If this is unavoidable, store them in a locker. Small daily lockers are available in the main lodge and work with loonies.


Throughout the Day


Our Snow School and Mount Pakenham team will be expecting you at the rental shop.


  • Beginner lessons start immediately after leaving the rental area.
  • All intermediate and advanced skiers/boarders must go through an initial ski-assessment to determine the appropriate level of lessons, where they will have their lift ticket marked and lesson time assigned.
  • Please carry your equipment to meeting area

Lessons


To ensure student safety, Mount Pakenham's certified pros assess all skiers and snowboarders to determine their ability, assign a lesson time, and grant access to ability-specific terrain.


Novice - Advanced: After successful completion of the Chairlift Readiness Assessment, students will ski/ride safely until their assigned group lesson time (beginner lessons begin immediately). Students will meet for their lesson at the Snow School Meeting area where they will be assigned an instructor and given a 55 minute group lesson.


Beginners: Unlike traditional beginner lessons, our Station Teaching Format allows students to develop skills at their own pace. Skiers and boarders will complete up to 7 Stations with coaching from CASI and CSIA certified instructors. After successfully completing all 7 stations, the students may be ready to use the chairlift independently. Students that do not complete all 7 stations can continue to practice at the Beginner Centre throughout the day. The Beginner Centre is staffed with certified pros for school trips from 9am - Noon and 1pm - 2pm. Times may vary depending on number of participants and group arrival times.


Our goal is to have you skiing/riding on beginner slopes (green slopes).

  • Focus on getting in and out of equipment, turning, stopping,
  • Learn to ride the carpet lift.
  • Lesson ends with advice on terrain you can tackle and tips on improvements
  • Entry-level skiers and riders will directly go through the Mount Pakenham's Lesson Stations. Students flow through the stations at their own pace.


First Aid


Safety First! Then Fun & Learning!


  • Certified Canadian Ski Patrollers work to keep students safe!
  • Report incidents to Ski Patrol or Snow School Staff

Lost and Found


Located at the front desk in the main lobby.


Payment


Mount Pakenham requires Trip Supervisors to reconcile payment before 1:00pm for day programs and before 6:30pm for evening programs.


Fund Raising-we can help! Ask us about our tailor-made fundraising program.


Schools are eligible for a refund of 83% of HST paid.