On January 6, 2017, beginner skiers and snowboarders in the United States and Canada can help set a world record.

They can do this by participating in the World’s Largest Ski and Snowboard Lesson.

Last season, nearly 6,000 people of all ages took a beginner lesson on the same day. However, because the Guinness Book of World Records requires a specific level of documentation, the 2016 event was not included as a new world record.

That’s going to change in 2017.

According to Hugh Reynolds, the marketing director for SNOW Operating and the originator of the event, “We have had some experience with this in the past and we are working diligently with our partners to make sure that we have the documentation necessary to officially set a new record’” he said.

But setting the record will take more than careful documentation. It will also take beginner skiers and snowboarders showing up and joining in the fun.

Beginner Skiers and Snowboarders Wanted

 As of mid-December 75 resorts in the United States and Canada are participating on January 6. That’s right. This year, Canadian resorts will help set the new world record. Adding Canada is a smart move. Not only does this allow many more resorts (and therefore beginner skiers and snowboarders)  to participate, but it also makes the world record attempt a truly international affair.

At most resorts, the World’s Largest Lesson will include a beginner lesson, a lift ticket and rental equipment for a nominal fee, although the exact parameters are left up to each resort. You can find participating resorts and their programs here.

What you won’t find on January 6^th are mobs of people crammed into lessons. Ski and snowboard schools at US and Canada are professional and they take their work seriously (while always focused on having fun). This means low student-instructor ratios in all lessons, even on busy days like this one.

This is important, for while the world record attempt is fun and exciting, introducing beginners to the fun and excitement of winter sports is the ultimate goal. Organizers hope that these introductory lessons will inspire participants to come back for more lessons and develop a love of winter sports.

As it says on the Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month website, “Humans were never meant to hibernate.”

Other Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month Programs

 The World’s Largest Ski and Snowboard Lesson marks the start of January Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month.

Other fun learn-to ski and ride programs during January include Bring a Friend and the Bring a Friend Challenge.

If you already love skiing or snowboarding, this is your chance to bring a friend who is new to the sports and help them sign up for lessons. While beginner lessons are available all winter, many of the best deals are in January.

Bringing a friend (or more) has big payoffs. Studies show that the majority of people who take up snowsports do so to spend time with family and friends. Helping your friend learn to ski or ride gives them the gift of winter fun, while you can enter to win prizes by registering for the Bring a Friend Challenge. Beginners aren’t left out: they’ll be entered to win one of several $250 gift vouchers from Liftopia.com, GetSkiTickets.com and Skis.com/Snowboards.com.

For more information on events and programs during Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month, please visit the LSSM website.

Enjoy!

The World’s Largest Ski and Snowboard Lesson is sponsored by Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month, the National Ski Areas Association, Professional Ski Instructors of America, SnowSports Industries America, SNOW Operating and the Canadian Ski Council.

More Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month:

• Start Right: Eight Learn to Ski and Snowboard Tips for Your Child (And You!), January 8, 2014.
• Learn to Ski One Tip at A Time, January 20, 2014.
• Why People Try Skiing and Why They Stop Skiing, September 12, 2016.

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