I wish I was a kid who could learn from the Blue Angel Ski School. Now in its 30th season, the Blue Angel Youth Ski & Snowboard Program provides kids, ages 8 through 16, from all over the East Bay, Marin, Peninsula, and San Francisco, an opportunity to ski or snowboard the local mountains with their friends and other snow sports enthusiasts.
Kids get picked up by bus on Saturday morning and returned in the evening.
Blue Angel is ideal for families who want to give children high-quality snow sports coaching but don’t have the time or skills to do it themselves.
Hosted by Sierra-at-Tahoe, the program caters to all ability levels, from first-timers to experts, and provides a safe environment in which youth can learn to excel at snow sports. And, did I mention transportation to and from Tahoe is provided?
How Blue Angel Ski & Snowboard School works:
Parents drop children off with their snow gear in Piedmont very early on a Saturday morning; Blue Angels does the rest. Program participants are placed in groups of 6-9, based on age and ability, and then assigned to a coach for the duration of the program. The consistency of having the same coach each Saturday and learning groups of equal age and ability is an ideal formula for rapid advancement. Blue Angel participants advance an average of three levels each season.
Fees and timing for the 2025 Blue Angel Snow Season:
- Blue Angel program dates are 5 Saturdays from Jan. 25 to Mar. 1 (excluding 2/15).
- The program costs $2000 for approximately 30 hours of coaching, lift tickets, bus transportation, lunch/snacks, and adult supervision on and off the slopes.
- Families provide snow gear, water bottles, and extra snacks.
- Bay Area caregivers can drop off at multiple locations on Saturday morning during the 5 am hour and pick up during the 8 pm hour (see the schedule).
More Blue Angel Snow logistics:
- You provide children’s snow gear. Long-term seasonal rentals (like at Sports Basement) can be a great option if you don’t own your own equipment.
- Lunch and snacks at the resort are provided. Kids will need to pack plenty of healthy snacks and water for the bus rides to and from the mountain.
- For more information visit the Blue Angel website at website >.
More perks for your budding skier:
The on-snow experience is not the only feature that draws young snowboarders and skiers to this unique program. Kids also enjoy socializing with other young snowboarders and skiers during lunch and at the day’s end. The private group area designated for “Blue Angels Only” features a kid/teen-friendly area with music, pro-rider appearances, and sponsor giveaways. Plus, participants enjoy munching on food and drinks from Subway and Domino’s with loads of delicious snacks throughout the day.
Blue Angel Snow was created to get kids on the slopes
Blue Angels was started in 1992 by ski industry veteran Heidi Thompsen Emery and her husband Griff to give children and teenagers an opportunity to experience the sports of snowboarding and skiing. Combined, Griff and Heidi Emery have more than 50 years of experience in the youth ski and snowboard industry. In addition to being avid snow-riders themselves, both have passed along their passion to their children, Cobi and Kaili.
[All images provided by Blue Angel Snow and used with permission; all rights reserved]
