Building the Best Place to Learn: Inside Sugar Bowl - New Snowsports School

Learning to ski or snowboard is about so much more than making it down the hill. It’s about building confidence, discovering something new, and sometimes finding a passion that lasts a lifetime.

This summer, Sugar Bowl is making one of the biggest investments in that first-day experience in the resort’s history. As part of the Main Lodge transformation, the Snowsports School is being completely reimagined with redesigned learning terrain, a relocated magic carpet, a new “snow beach,” and a more intuitive guest experience from arrival through first turns.

We sat down with Snowsports Director Henry Ryerson to learn why these changes matter and how they’ll transform the way new skiers and riders experience Sugar Bowl.

Rather than simply relocating a few facilities, Sugar Bowl is redesigning the entire beginner experience.

The project includes a renovated rental area, improved access corridors, a reconfigured Snowsports School administration space, a relocated magic carpet, and extensive earthwork that will reshape the learning terrain into a broad, welcoming beginner zone stretching from White Pine to the Main Lodge.

“The whole thing is about making it a better experience,” says Ryerson. “Not just for learning, but for navigating, for families, for all ability levels. We want to make it easy for you to learn right from the start.”

Most people think learning to ski is all about the instructor. Ryerson agrees that instructors are critical, but says the terrain itself is just as important.

“First, it’s confidence,” he explains. “Providing the right terrain allows guests to feel safe and progress without unnecessary challenges.”

Good terrain also creates a safer learning environment by giving beginners room to move without feeling crowded or overwhelmed.

“The right terrain is like having the right tool for our instructors,” he says.

The redesigned learning area will feature a progression of terrain that naturally helps students build skills, beginning with flat areas to learn the basics before gradually introducing gentle slopes, rollers, and banks.

“When everything is presented in a controlled, progressive way, learning just becomes a ton of fun.”

One of the most exciting additions is the new “snow beach.”

Instead of arriving at a narrow, congested beginner area, guests will step into a broad, level space designed specifically for first-time skiers and riders.

The concept is simple: provide structure, function, progression, and confidence.

The wide-open learning zone will offer an inspiring and accessible learning environment designed to ignite a lifelong love of skiing. This thoughtfully designed base area will serve as a convenient hub for meeting instructors, friends, and family, and will seamlessly connect newcomers to more advanced terrain.

A Better Home for the Magic Carpet

Moving the beginner magic carpet may seem like a small change, but it will have a huge impact.

Previously, the lift divided the learning area in half, limiting usable space for lessons.

By relocating it, Sugar Bowl opens significantly more room for instruction while making access easier, especially for the youngest skiers in the 4 to 6-year-old programs.

“We’ll have so much more space to work with,” Ryerson says. “It’s going to be much more accessible.”

The redesign isn’t just about snow.

It’s also about reducing the stress that families often experience on the first day.

Instead of sending different age groups and ability levels to separate locations, guests will have a simpler, more intuitive arrival experience.

“We’ll be able to line everyone up at the base,” Ryerson explains. “It will be much more seamless.”

Every decision in the project was made with one question in mind:

How can we make learning easier?

Ask Ryerson what makes a great beginner environment, and his answer starts with the terrain, but quickly moves to people.

“The right approach matters. Nobody wants to get exhausted or confused before they even get to their lesson.”

Then there’s the instructors.

“That’s why we invest so much in finding the right instructors and dedicate ourselves to training all season long.”

He laughs before adding:

“The new terrain is the cake. Our amazing team is the icing on the cake.”

For Ryerson, first days carry enormous significance.

“This sport can change lives,” he says. “It might be the one vacation a family gets all year. Your first day could become the beginning of a lifelong passion.”

An incredible first experience can change someone’s trajectory.

“It can be frustrating,” he says. “Or it can be the beginning of something magical.”

Although much of the redesign focuses on youth first-time skiers and riders, adult beginners also stand to benefit.

The wider learning areas, flatter terrain, improved spacing, and more intuitive layout all work together to reduce intimidation while creating a more comfortable environment to progress.

“It’s all designed around giving everyone the space they need to succeed.”

When asked why Sugar Bowl is such a special place to learn, Ryerson doesn’t start with the terrain or facilities.

He starts with culture.

“We love it here.”

“This isn’t a corporate factory. It’s about the experience.”

Whether someone is visiting for their very first lesson, chasing powder, lapping the terrain park, enjoying après, or spending time with family, Ryerson believes everyone should feel connected to something bigger.

“When you’re here, we want you to fall in love with it. We want you to feel the spirit of Sugar Bowl, the spirit of the sport, and the spirit of nature.”

Ryerson believes great instructors share a few common traits.

“They care. They’re patient. They’re always learning.”

Whether improving their own skiing or refining how they teach, the best instructors are driven by genuine passion.

“When you love it at that level, you’re eager to share it.”

Teaching becomes less of a job and more of a calling.

That culture extends well beyond lesson hours. The Snowsports School team spends time together year-round through training days, Nordic ski outings, moonlight hikes, polar plunges, and plenty of après.

“We’re part of this mountain together.”

Ask Ryerson what it feels like to watch someone link their first turns, and the answer comes instantly.

“Boom!”

“You can’t not smile. It’s always a celebration.”

It’s moments like those that keep instructors coming back every winter.

“You might be changing someone’s life trajectory,” he says. “Giving them the best day of their year. Sending them home feeling accomplished.”

“That’s an incredible gift that this job offers.”

The new Snowsports School represents far more than a construction project.

It’s an investment in first experiences, in families discovering skiing together, and in creating a learning environment designed to inspire confidence from the very first step onto snow.

When asked to describe the future of Sugar Bowl’s Snowsports School in a single sentence, Ryerson doesn’t hesitate.

“A life-changing, world-class experience.”