Sign In for Memberships, Programs, ClassesAlpine Skiing
Blackhawk offers six slopes of alpine skiing serviced by three tow ropes. There is one beginner slope, four intermediate slopes and one expert slope spread out across the 60-acre property. Blackhawk makes snow on all of our slopes and grooms with three different machines: a Ski-doo Skandic snowmobile, a Pisten Bully 100, a Pisten Bully 200.
Alpine Programs
FLIGHT PROGRAMS for Children
This program is comprised of four levels of ski instruction for children.
- Pre-Flight - A program designed for first-time skiers to provide individual instruction to very young children (ages 4-6). Goals: Children will advance to First Flight group lessons once they can ski independently down the hill by either making simple turns or controlling their speed in a wedge.
- First Flight / Second Flight - This program is to provide group instruction to children who can turn or stop; or kids (ages 6 or older) with no skiing experience. Goals: Children will learn to ski Hill #1 comfortably using wedge turns to control speed and independent use of the towrope. Next children will continue to develop speed and turning control and be introduced to parallel turning technique on Hill #2. Children will ski a short, gated course and may also try small jumps. Children will be observed and divided into appropriate skill levels. Children may work at advancing through this program for one to three seasons depending on how quickly they progress.
- X-Ploration Team - Blackhawk X-Ploration Team is geared for young skiers (age 8+) interested in developing their abilities in all the programs offered at Blackhawk. This program replaces Third Flight. Students will cross train in the areas of ski jumping, ski racing, freestyle skiing and cross country skiing. Students will be offered formal instruction in each discipline with the ultimate goal of preparing for a friendly X-Game style challenge at the conclusion.
X-Ploration Team skiers MUST be graduates of the Second Flight program and MUST be 8+ years of age. Helmets and leather gloves or mittens are required. To best utilize modern teaching methods, "shaped" downhill skis are recommended. Ski poles are mandatory for the ski racing and freestyle portions of the instruction. Alpine skis will be used for ski jumping. Students can bring their own cross country ski equipment or use Blackhawk cross country ski equipment (no extra fee) on days when we will be working on that discipline.
Blackhawk Alpine Race Team (BART)
This program is an introduction to alpine ski racing now with 3 levels: BART Development, BART, and BART/USSA. Skis, race helmets, leather gloves/mittens and ski poles are required for all BART levels. Parents must stay on Blackhawk grounds during all BART practices.
- The BART Development Program is designed for those Third Flight skiers who have an interest in alpine (downhill) ski racing. BART Development is the pre-cursor to the BART race team. Skiers will train on Hill #5 and Hill #6 and can compete in up to two local area ski races. Skiers will train on the expert slopes and can compete in five area ski races. Skiers must be graduates of Blackhawk's Third Flight program. Skiers must ski in at least two races during the season.
- BART is an alpine (downhill) ski race team. Skiers will train on Hill #5 and can compete in five area ski races. Skiers must ski in at least two WIJARA races during the season. Skiers must be graduates of the Blackhawk's Third Flight program or have coaches' approval. Practices will begin on Tuesday, December 7, 2010, weather permitting. Practices are Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The program will run through early March depending upon conditions.
- The BART/USSA Development Team is an alpine (downhill) ski race team. Skiers will train on Hill #5 and can compete in both WIJARA and USSA ski races. Skiers must be present members of the Blackhawk Alpine Race Team (BART) or have coaches' approval. Skiers must ski in at least two WIJARA and one USSA races during the season. Practices will begin Wednesday, December 8, 2010, weather permitting. Practices are Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Program will run through early March depending upon conditions.
Snowboard - This program is geared towards children ages 7 or older who have never snowboarded or have little experience on a snowboard. Instruction will focus on getting the students familiar with the different aspects of snowboarding starting from the very basics. Students in the program will progress from a very beginner snowboarder to having the ability to confidently carve turns on Hill #2.
Ski Lesson Availability - Group lessons include the Flight Programs for Alpine, and Snowboard. Lessons are available only to children in Unlimited Full Facility Memberships.
Private Ski/Snowboard Lessons
We are offering private ski/snowboard lessons this winter. Cost is $40/hr for the 1st in the group and $20/hr for each additional group participant. Our head instructor Kelley is scheduling lessons. For more info, contact Kelley at this email address.
For more information
The following information sheets are all updated for 2010-2011 and in pdf format for downloading:
- First Flight Information (includes Pre-Flight, First Flight, and Second Flight)
- X-Ploration Team (replaces Third Flight)
- Snowboard Information
- BART Development Program
- BART
- BART USSA
For more information about these programs, please contact via email:
