How Beginner Snowboarders Can Ride For Free

Many times beginner snowboarders buy a full price lift ticket and stay on the bunny slope all day. However, I’m going to give you a little tip that may help your pocketbook if you are at a low skill level or a beginner snowboarder and looking for a practice spot…

Most resorts have a lift or two that is open to the public for free. Of course, this is not generally advertised in this way. However, there are many reasons why these lifts are free. For instance, Ski in/Ski out lodging must run a lift so that people can board/ski over to the ticket office then use the lift to get them home. Other reasons include carrying employees and guests back to their cars. There are other reasons these lifts run for free—but no matter the reason, most of the terrain accessible by these lifts are easy green level slopes, which is great for first timers, beginner kids, or lower skilled riders to practice basic riding in these areas for free.

If you’re teaching kids they might not last long. It’s great to have a mellow slope to practice with beginner kid snowboarders. Children get tired, hungry, cold, thirsty, and need to use the toilet all the time. These lifts are usually by all the facilities that beginner kid snowboarders need. They are also near the base near parking/transports so you can leave quickly. Your girlfriend or boyfriend will like this too if they’re beginner snowboarders so the more advanced riders can often times leave them to practice while they take a few fun runs. Then, they can meetup, practice together, and have money in the pocket to eat at one of the resort restaurants.

How To Find “Free” Lifts?
Generally, these lifts are located at the bottom of the resort and function for some other purpose, such as the reasons mentioned above. Simply look at the resort map online before you choose your destination. Also, do your research on when these lifts open and close since they may vary from other hours of operation. Lastly, if it’s early or late season, make sure the lift is running before heading over.

So remember, if you’re just looking for a practice area, are a low skill level or a beginner snowboarder, & easy on your pocketbook you can get away with using an available free lift for a while. And, although it’s fine to use these lifts to access practice terrain, resorts have all kinds of shops and restaurants, so patronize them, they help their local economies and are there as a business. Then once your basic skills improve, purchase a lift ticket and get out on the rest of the mountain where the real green, blue and black slopes are.

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