Winter Lessons & Clinics
Catamount Lessons:
Catamount Outdoor Family Center offers lessons for xc skiing and winter biking. We also offer guided snowshoe tours. Lessons are great for folks looking for one on one instruction or wanting to have a private group lesson. Looking to meet new people while you learn? Check out our Clinic offerings below.
Advanced reservations are required for all lessons and tours. All lesson packages include complementary rental equipment and a day membership. Please note that price does not change if you have your own equipment or membership.
To book your lesson or tour, please start by completing this lesson request form. A COFC staff will be in touch after that.
Winter opperations usually start in mid-December and run through mid-March. Please note that all lessons are condition dependent.
Lesson & Tour Fees:
Private Lessons: $75/ hour
Semi-Private Lessons: $60/hour per person
Snowshoe Tours: $100/hour for up to 15 people
*Gratuities not included but encouraged*
RESERVATION POLICY: Lessons require 48 hour advance reservation. Catamount cannot guarantee any day of lesson reservation.
CANCELLATION POLICY: We require a 24 hour notice to cancel your lesson reservation. Please email us as soon as possible if you need to cancel or reschedule so that we can open the lesson time to someone else. Any cancellations within 24 hours will be charged full price to accommodate instructors time. Thank You!
Catamount Clinics:
Catamount Outdoor Family Center offers clinics and clinic series on predetermined dates and times for xc skiing and winter biking. These are a great way to learn new skills and meet other folks in the community that are new to that sport. Looking to set your own dates and time? Check out our lesson options above!
Advanced reservations are required for all clinic offerings. All clinic packages include rental equipment and a day membership. Please note that price does not change if you have your own equipment or membership.
RESERVATION POLICY: Clinics require advance reservation. Catamount cannot guarantee any day of clinic acccess.
CANCELLATION POLICY: We require a 24 hour notice to cancel your clinic reservation. Please email us as soon as possible if you need to cancel or reschedule so that we can open the clinic spot to someone else. Any cancellations within 24hours will be charged full price to accommodate instructors time. Thank You!
INSTRUCTOR: Bill Regan
Bill Regan has been cross country skiing for over 30+ years. He is certified as a Nordic instructor by the Professional Ski Instructors of America. He loves all manner of winter sports, including snowshoeing, winter hiking, ice skating, downhill skiing, and backcountry skiing. He is a graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School, and is certified in Wilderness First Aid and CPR. In the warmer months, Bill teaches cycling, kayaking, and low-impact hiking and camping. He also works with Vermont-based environmental and social justice non-profits while volunteering in his community.
INSTRUCTOR: Justin Bennett
Justin Bennett has been skiing close to 20 years, downhill as well as cross country and has been fat biking for a few years now. He also enjoys road biking, mountain biking, hiking in the summer months; Basically any type of excuse to be outdoors year round. Justin has been a downhill ski instructor for about 6 years and a nordic coach for 2 years. He can be found leading our weekly bike rides year round, coaching our Cycling and Winter Clubs, or supporting Winter Wanderers Camp. Justin is SafeSport and Wilderness First Aid certified and he is looking forward to exploring Catamount OFC with you this winter.
INSTRUCTOR: Jason Bull
Jason has worked in the outdoor industry as a snowboard instructor, whitewater river guide, snowmobile guide, and backpacking guide for many years. Most recently Jason has been enjoying the sports offered at Catamount OFC-from classic and skate skiing to fat biking and snowshoeing! Jason coaches mountain biking at Catamount OFC with our Cycling Club and Summer Camp programs. In the Winters, Jason has been found leading winter lessons and SnowSchool programs. This season, Jason can be found leading winter lessons and Winter Club!
INSTRUCTOR: Kate Leyden
Kate joined the Catamount Outdoor Family Center this summer as a Lead Instructor for the Mountain Bike and Explorers camps. She is continuing her work at the center with XC skiing, fat bike, and snowshoe lessons and tours! Outside of the Catamount Center, Kate coaches two youth rowing programs in the area. Kate rowed competitively for six years traveling to regattas all around New England before taking up coaching her freshman year of college. Kate attends the University of Vermont, studying Medical Radiation Sciences and minoring in Emergency Medical Services. She currently holds both an EMT license and a Wilderness First Responder certification. In her free time, you can find Kate downhill skiing, crocheting, or watching a good reality TV show with her roommates!
INSTRUCTOR: Andrew Gewirtz
Drew is a Champlain College graduate from Bethany, CT. He first started skiing at the age of 2 on family trips to Vermont. He has lived in Williston for 10 years and loves the trails that the Catamount Outdoor Family Center has to offer. He was a Alpine coach at Bolton Valley for 2 years and has completed the P.S.I.A (Professional Ski Instructors of America) level 1. He is looking forward to helping you get out, explore and learn about the mechanics of skiing!
INSTRUCTOR: Amanda Preston
Amanda has been leading educational and recreational outings to a diverse array of audiences for over a decade now. Amanda is SafeSport, Leave No Trace Trainer, Suicide Prevention, and Wilderness First Aid Certified. As a former interpretive guide, Amanda loves to mix in natural, cultural, and historical learnings into her lessons, tours, and programs. Amanda has been our lead SnowSchool Instructor for the past 2 winter seasons. Outside of Catamount OFC, Amanda can be found Snowboarding, Xc sking, biking, or crafting!
INSTRUCTOR: Andy Coddington
Andy learned how to ski and mountin bike right here at Catamount. That love for sliding and turning stayed with him and now he’s back as a year round employee. He’s a certified BICP bike instructor and has a lifetime of downhill and nordic ski experience and knowledge to share.
INSTRUCTOR: John Atkinson
John has been helping people become better riders and gliders for 30 years and is a certified Gravity Logic Level 1 freeride coach and a Bike/Walk Smart educator. His primary focus is working with new and less aggressive riders and gliders looking to build confidence and skill sets in a patient fun environment.