Diamond Peak Ski Resort offers a variety of ski and snowboard lesson programs, packages, and clinics for first-time, beginner, intermediate, and advanced skiers and riders. Our professional instructors, gentle slopes designed for progression, and friendly environment make Diamond Peak the ideal place to learn how to ski or snowboard. Taking lessons will teach you special techniques that will greatly improve your chances of learning and enjoying a lifetime sport.
Additionally, lessons are an excellent way to familiarize yourself with the sport and the equipment. Instructors can tell you where to go after the day is over and some tips to help you get to the next level.
Booking Your Lessons
All Ski & Ride Center lessons must be booked in advance. A paid reservation is necessary to guarantee all lessons. It is recommended that you complete your request at least 72 hours in advance. Cancellation fees apply for all lessons. All products are subject to availability and may reach capacity at any time.
Arrival Time
We recommend that you arrive at the Rental Shop 1 hour before your lesson start time for midweek/non-peak (Monday - Friday) lessons, 1.5 hours on weekends (Saturday - Sunday) and 2 hours on peak periods (dates listed below). Please budget extra time to find a parking spot, get dressed, walk or take the tram from your car, and use the restroom before getting to the Rental Shop. Plan additional time and bring extra patience on snowy days and busy weekends.
2025-26 PEAK PERIODS: Dec. 20, 2025 - Jan. 4, 2026; Jan. 17 - 19, 2026; Feb.
Read also: Performance Analysis: Black Diamond Ski Pants
Lesson Programs for All Ages
Diamond Peak offers lesson programs tailored to different age groups and skill levels. Our Ski & Ride Center and Child Ski Center group lesson programs are divided into our Sierra Sliders program (ages 4-6), Sierra Scout program (ages 7-12) and Youth & Adult Lesson program (ages 13+). We divide our group lesson programs into these age ranges based on research into how students learn best within a group setting. Friends or siblings who wish to learn together but span these age categories should enroll in a Friends & Family Private lesson available for ages 7 and up.
Children's Programs (Ages 3-12)
The Diamond Peak Child Ski & Ride Center provides Lake Tahoe’s best learn-to-ski/snowboard options for kids ages 3-6 of all ability levels. With a separate learning area, surface lift, and low child-to-instructor ratio of 5:1 maximum, your children are sure to receive the attention they deserve in a safe, uncrowded and fun environment.
Sierra Sliders two-hour group ski lessons are offered for children ages 4-6 years old with a maximum of 6:1 student-to-instructor ratio. These lessons focus on developing the child’s skills in a small group setting. The package includes a lift ticket and equipment rentals (including helmets) that may be used for the entire day. Please have child dressed appropriately with waterproof pants and jacket, and ski socks.
Private ski or snowboard lessons are offered by the hour for children ages 3-6. These lessons focus on developing the child’s skills whether it’s their first time on skis or they are skiing black diamonds. Personalized one-on-one instruction is the fastest way for your child to pick up skiing or snowboarding or progress! Equipment rentals (including helmets) and lift tickets are included and may be used for the entire day. Please have child dressed appropriately with waterproof pants and jacket, and ski socks. Parents must stay on property for the duration of the lesson.
This winter we will offer small group ski or snowboard lessons for all levels of children ages 7-12. Package includes a 1 hour 45 minute lesson and all-mountain lift ticket.
Read also: Your Diamond Peak Ski Resort Guide
After your child is checked-in, you are “off duty” and free to ski or relax on the deck, but please stay on the premises! We handle everything from fitting them for equipment, putting on boots, and making sure they have a great time until you pick them up at the end of the program.
Youth & Adult Programs (Ages 13+)
These 1 hour 45-minute beginner group ski or snowboard lessons are offered for first-time to advanced-beginner levels for ages 13+. Beginner group lesson packages come with an all-day beginner lift ticket (access to School House and Lodgepole chairlifts only). You may upgrade your ticket to an all-mountain ticket at the ticket windows if you are ready for intermediate terrain after your morning lesson. Rentals are not included but can be booked online.
Group lessons for ages 13+ are only offered at the Beginner Levels 1, 2 and 3. Higher-level skiers/riders in this age range must book a private lesson.
Private Lessons
Get the most from personal ski or snowboard instruction. All private lessons are available for 1-5 people of similar ability and same discipline. Includes instruction only - rental equipment and lift tickets must be purchased separately (lift tickets are required for resort access).
For ages 7 and older, you can have up to five (5) skiers or snowboarders of similar ability in the same private lesson. All participants must be using the same equipment (i.e. all skiers or all snowboarders), and the instructor will teach to the lowest ability level in the group.
Read also: Skiing, Mentorship, and Community
For ages 7 and older, lift tickets and rental equipment are NOT included in the cost of private lessons and must be purchased separately.
STEP 2: Fill out this form completely to request a private lesson. It is recommended that you fill out your request at least 72 hours in advance. It could take up to 48 hours for our agents to respond. Agents will begin responding to private requests on Nov. 17, 2025 - you will not be contacted before that date. If the lesson slot you requested is available, our agents will build an order and call for payment. NOTE: Filling out this lesson request form DOES NOT guarantee we will have availability during the dates/times requested.
What to Expect During Your Lesson
Our staff will assist you in determining the correct level for you or your child, and evaluate at the beginning of the lesson to ensure you are in the proper level. Open with beginner terrain only.
Diamond Peak’s professional instructors make learning or improving fun, and ensure you progress your skills in a safe and manageable environment so you won’t find yourself on terrain that’s too steep or challenging for your abilities.
After you have checked in and gotten any rental equipment needed, when it is time for your lesson, you will meet your instructor on the snow in the Ski & Ride Center Meeting Area near the bottom of the Lakeview Chairlift (beginners will meet near the big green flag, all others by the big red flag). Look for the sign corresponding to the correct lesson program.
Equipment and Rentals
If you aren’t bringing your own ski or snowboard equipment, make sure you book your rentals online as they are not included in lesson packages for ages 7+. After you park, go directly to the Rental Shop to redeem your rentals and lesson packages. Computers are located at the entrance of the rental shop, where you enter your confirmation number and information into our database. For kids lessons (ages 3-6) do not go to the Rental Shop, please go directly to the Child Ski & Ride Center to check in.
All customers (ages 7+) who pre-purchased rentals (or still need rentals) should skip the ticket lines in the Plaza and go directly to the Rental Shop upon arrival.
Skiing and snowboarding equipment can be a large investment and buying the wrong equipment can be a costly mistake. Renting gear gives you an opportunity to test it before you buy it. Demos are available to rent if you are looking to upgrade your gear. Renting at Diamond Peak gives you the ability to exchange equipment if you decide you need a different boot size or different ski or snowboard length after you try them out on the mountain.
Proper clothing is key to ensuring you stay warm and comfortable on the slopes. Diamond Peak does NOT have any ski clothing available to rent; however, the Village Ski Loft retail shop located in the Base Lodge does carry a selection of these items for purchase. Please plan ahead.
Parking and Transportation
Parking is close and convenient at Diamond Peak. Most days it’s just a short walk to the ticket booths and on busy days we run a parking lot tram and/or shuttle bus to our offsite parking locations. It’s best to arrive early on holidays and peak periods to make sure you get the most time on the slopes.
On select weekends and holidays, Diamond Peak offers pre-purchased preferred slope-side parking in the Diamond Peak lower parking lot, while supplies last.
Parking at Diamond Peak is available in multiple locations including the Upper Base Lodge parking lot, the Lower Skier Services parking lot, the Big Water parking lot (just down the street), and off-site parking at Aspen Grove and other locations.
- From the Big Water lot: Wait for a Diamond Peak tram to come by and pick you up.
- From off-site parking lots: Wait for a Diamond Peak shuttle bus to pick you up.
Tips for a Successful Lesson
- Stay Hydrated and Eat Well: High altitude, exercise, and the sun all pull water out of your body. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids throughout the day, especially on your way to the ski area. Eat healthy food and make sure your children eat a nutritious breakfast as well. You can find snacks as well as delicious breakfast options at the Base Lodge if you arrive early. At lunch time, head to one of the food outlets on the Base Lodge deck to get fueled for the rest of the day.
- Dress Appropriately: Please have child dressed appropriately with waterproof pants and jacket, and ski socks.
- Label Everything: If your child has their own equipment, please tag/label all equipment (skis, boots, helmet, etc.) with your child’s name before check-in. Label your child’s clothing. Kids are notorious for leaving gloves and other items lying around.
- Check Equipment Fit: If your child is using their own ski/snowboard equipment, make sure it fits. Try it all on before arriving at the slopes.
Chairlift Safety
We take chairlift safety seriously and require that children under 51″ must ride the lift with an adult partner.
Lesson Levels at Diamond Peak
Please review the different lesson levels offered at Diamond Peak before booking group lessons online. Each level includes a short video preview of what you will learn in that lesson level.
Beginner Levels:
- Level 1: Lesson will be taught in the Ski & Ride Center lesson area, the School Yard beginner run and School House chairlift.
- Ski: Participant can straight run, wedge and stop on easy green terrain.
- Snowboard: Participant can put board on and take off board. Can straight glide and stop on easy green terrain.
- Level 2:
- Ski: Participant can stop and turn on green terrain.
- Snowboard: Participant can control speed and direction on both edges.
- Level 3:
- Ski: Participant can control their speed through turn shape on all green terrain.
- Snowboard: Participant can link turns on green terrain.
Intermediate Levels:
- Level 4:
- Ski: Participant can do a variety of turn sizes and shapes to control speed on easy blue terrain.
- Snowboard: Participant can link turns on all green and easy blue terrain.
- Level 5:
- Ski: Participant can do basic parallel turns on blue terrain.
- Snowboard: Participant can control speed through turn size and shape on all blue terrain. Developing turns on easy black terrain.
Advanced Levels:
- Level 6:
- Ski: Participant can control their speed through turn shape while parallel with a pole plant on all blue and easy black terrain.
- Snowboard: Participant can link turns on all intermediate and easy black terrain, and perform some basic freestyle maneuvers.
- Level 7:
- Ski: Participant can ski on variable black terrain with a variety of turn sizes and shapes.
- Snowboard: Participant can ride on variable black terrain with a variety of turn sizes and shapes.
- Level 8:
- Ski: Participant can ski in all terrain and conditions with a variety of turn sizes and shapes.
- Snowboard: Participant can ride in all terrain and conditions with a variety of turn sizes and shapes.
5 Vital Beginner Skiing Skills
Additional Programs
We typically team up with IVGID Parks & Recreation to offer some specialty clinics to help pass holders, youth, women and seniors improve and connect with other local skiers.
The Diamond Peak Ski Education Foundation (aka Diamond Peak Ski Team) offers season-long programs for intermediate and above skiers who are at least 5 years old.