Your First Ski Lesson at Lake Louise.

An Unforgettable Adventure in the Canadian Rockies

Have you ever dreamed of gliding across fresh snow, surrounded by towering mountains and postcard-perfect scenery? That’s exactly what your first ski lesson with Dare and Explore feels like. No experience? No problem. No gear? We’ve got you covered. All you need is a sense of adventure—we’ll take care of the rest, for a truly unforgettable experience in Canada.

It All Starts with Your Registration

The moment you sign up, we start preparing everything to ensure you have the best possible introduction to skiing. If you're a beginner, we’ll ask for a few important details: your height, weight, shoe size, and fitness level. With that info, we select the most suitable gear for you—comfortable boots, beginner-friendly skis, lightweight poles, and a safety-certified helmet.

You’ll also receive a custom video explaining what you’ll learn in your first session. It’s short, clear, and helps ease those first-time nerves while building your excitement.

On our end, we prepare all the equipment, safety gear, and even our video recording gear to capture your entire day—including the funny moments!

7:00 AM: Pickup and the Start of an Epic Day

Your winter adventure begins bright and early. At 7:00 AM, we pick you up from your hotel or Airbnb. Our warm, comfy van is ready for the road. About halfway to the resort, we make a technical stop in Canmore, Alberta, where we pick up all your gear from one of our trusted providers. You’ll try everything on right there—boots, skis, helmet—and once we’ve checked that it all fits just right, we load up and continue our journey.

9:20 AM: Arriving at Lake Louise – One of the World’s Most Stunning Ski Resorts

Lake Louise Ski Resort sits in the heart of Banff National Park and is one of the most breathtaking ski destinations on the planet. When we arrive, we suit up: ski pants, balaclava, gloves, helmet, and goggles. Then comes the moment of truth—you look up and see the size of the mountain. It's awe-inspiring… and a little intimidating.

But don’t worry—we’re not heading to the top just yet. We begin on the easiest part of the resort: the Magic Carpet, also known as the Bunny Hill. It’s the perfect place to take your first steps—well, slides—on skis.

First Lesson: Mastering the Basics

On the Magic Carpet, we start slow. First, you’ll learn how to put on your skis. Then we go over the basic stance, how to brake using the “pizza” (or snowplow) technique, how to turn, and yes, how to fall and get up again. It might sound simple, but these first steps are the hardest—and the most fun!

We dedicate the entire morning to practicing and building your confidence, always at your own pace. Our teaching style is personal, patient, and above all—fun.

Midday Break: Time to Refuel and Take in the Views

Around noon, we take a well-deserved lunch break. You can bring your own meal or grab something tasty at the ski lodge. We usually sit down together, share stories, sip something warm, and soak in the snowy mountain views.

The Afternoon: Your First Run Down the Mountain

After lunch, we head back to the Magic Carpet for a few more runs, just to reinforce everything you've learned. Then, once you’re feeling ready, we make our way to your very first ski run on the mountain.

Ski runs are categorized by color:

• Green: Beginner

• Blue: Intermediate

• Black: Advanced (with one, two, or three diamonds)

We stick to the green runs, of course. You’ll take the lift up with the group—don’t worry, we show you exactly how it works—and when you’re at the top, it’s time to glide. You’ll practice your stance, braking, turning, and balance. Step by step, you’ll feel your confidence grow with each descent.

4:00 PM: The Final Chairlift

The last lift goes up at 4:00 PM, and we usually try to catch it. That final run of the day feels like a graduation—nervous beginners in the morning, proud skiers by sunset. It’s incredibly rewarding to see how far you’ve come.

Heading Back: Tired but Happy

We head back to your hotel or Airbnb in the late afternoon. Most adventurers are happily exhausted. We chat, laugh about the day, and often hear people say, “When can we do this again?”

After you’ve had a good rest, we’ll send you all the photos and videos we took throughout the day—your first falls, your first turns, and that huge smile when you finally skied down the mountain.

More Than Just a Lesson—It’s a Life-Changing Experience

As ski instructors, there’s no better feeling than watching someone fall in love with the sport. For us, it's not just about skiing. It's about facing fears, laughing out loud, making new friends, and discovering that winter in Canada can be one of the most thrilling times of your life.

At Dare and Explore, we treat every ski lesson as an adventure, and every new skier as someone with a story to tell.