School’s out and there’s no better way to spend the day than on the slopes with Blizzard Ski & Snowboard School!
How It Works:
- Enjoy a full day of skiing or snowboarding at Afton Alps on each trip.
- Each trip fee includes a lift ticket and round-trip bus transportation, plus optional equipment rental and one-hour beginner lesson at no extra cost.
- Register for the School’s Out Program. You will then receive an invitation by text and email 1-2 weeks before each remaining trip.
- Make a reservation for each trip. Come on one, two, or all three trips — whatever works for you!
SPECIAL WAIVERS REQUIRED!
Vail Resorts, which owns Afton Alps, requires Vail Resorts waivers ONCE PER SEASON for every participant. This is different than the MNSAA 1Risk waiver required by other areas. Please download, print and complete these waivers/forms.
- Afton Alps liability release – Required for ALL participants. You may not board the bus or receive a lift ticket without this form.
- Afton Alps rental release – Required ONLY if renting equipment.
- Afton Alps rental form – Required ONLY if renting equipment.
If you are currently registered in Blizzard for the Classic, Team Blizzard or Apprentice Instructor programs, you will automatically receive an invitation to these trips. No additional registration necessary.
Grades:
- School’s out trips are for 6th-12th graders
- If you are currently registered in Blizzard’s Classic, Team Blizzard or Apprentice Instructor programs, you will automatically receive an invitation to these trips. No additional registration is required.
Dates:
- Monday, December 29 – Reservation deadline is 12/25/2025 8:00 PM
- Monday, January 19 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day) – Reservation deadline is 1/15/2026 8:00 PM
- Monday, February 16 (Presidents’ Day) – Reservation deadline is 2/12/2026 8:00 PM
Cost:
- There is no Program Fee to register for School’s Out Trips.
- Each event has a $90 Trip Fee.
- If you make a reservation for a specific trip and do not attend, you will be charged a $45 No-Show Fee (If your child is sick, please stay home and call the office.)
- See our Payment Info FAQ for complete details.
- Food and snacks may be purchased in the chalet. Afton Alps is cashless. All major cards, Apple Pay, and resort-charge are accepted. See the Afton Alps website for details.
- Blizzard staff and member discounts do not apply to School’s Out Trips.
Beginner Lessons:
- If you have never skied or snowboarded before, Afton Alps offers beginner lessons at no extra cost.
- You MUST request beginner lessons by the reservation deadline. There is a form for each event. Requests made after the reservation deadline will NOT be honored.
- There are no Blizzard lessons on School’s Out Trips.
Rentals:
- Rental equipment is available at no extra cost.
- You MUST request rentals by the reservation deadline. There is a form for each event. Requests made after the reservation deadline will NOT be honored.
If you drive:
- Pick up discounted lift tickets from the Blizzard Table inside the MEADOWS chalet by 10:30 AM. Afton Alps has FOUR chalets. We are at the Meadows Chalet.
- Check out your child(ren) from the Blizzard Table in the MEADOWS chalet by 3:30 PM.
Bus stops:
- For specific locations and directions to bus stops, see our bus stop map.
- Specific bus times will be posted for each trip. See our calendar for details.
- Not all Blizzard bus stops are available for School’s Out Trips. Bus stops and times are subject to change based on registration.
- BUS #1 – Chaska, Chanhassen, Edina
- BUS #2 – Orono, Minnetonka Ridgedale, St. Louis Park
- BUS #3 – Otsego, Shoreview, Highland Park
School’s Out Trips are offered in partnership with these Park & Rec and Community Education partners: Chanhassen, Chaska-Eastern Carver, Edina, Elk River-Otsego, Hopkins-Minnetonka, Orono, Shoreview and St. Louis Park.