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Frequently Asked Questions about the Kids Centres and Programmes

Do I Need A Reservation?

Reservations are essential for the Nursery (Ski Korral) and Kids Centre (3-4 years or Kids Korral) at ALL times.  Forms can be downloaded from the Kids Centre Booking section of this web site.  Reservations are strongly recommended for all Kids Centres, particularly in the NZ school holidays (7th July -18th July 2007). The Nursery (Ski Korral) and Kids Centre (3-4 years or Kids Korral) require a non-refundable deposit of $25 per day per child.

Where Are The Centres Located?

All four centres may be moved in 2008. Please ask up the mountain when you arrive. All centres will remain at the Base area however.

Lunch

All the Kids Centres include lunch and snacks.  The Nursery does not include lunch but does include morning and afternoon snacks so please include a packed lunch labelled clearly with your child’s name.  All centres have areas for heating and preparing food.  If your child has ANY food allergies please ensure this information is included when first making a booking and again when signing in to the centres.

How Good Are The Instructors?

The 1 on 1 or “Child’s Play” programme instructors are specialists and work from the Kids Centre (3-4 years).  Parents can book a 1 on 1 lesson without their children utilising the Kids Centres but must book it directly with Kids Centre and meet there at the specified time.  All instructors working from the Kids Centres must undergo Cardrona’s children’s accreditation training.  Most staff already have several years experience before they can work full-time in the Kids Centres team.

Rental Skis

Rental skis and boots are included free of charge (for the duration of the lesson) with ALL participants in the Child’s Play and Little Rippers programmes out of the Nursery and Kids Centre (3-4 years) i.e. up to 4 years.  The skis are supplied and fitted directly from a specialist stock maintained in the Ski Korral.  However they are not included outside the scheduled lesson time. Note the Kids Centres (5-14 years) have their own rental department in the centres and we do it all for the parent. Just pay at the Kids Centre front desk in the Ticket Office and drop your child off to the respective centre.

Where Can I Store My Belongings While I’m On The Slopes?

Dressing rooms and lockers are located in the Rental department.  You can hire a locker to store all your clothing & bags for $4 per day (unlimited access).  Equipment can also be stored on the mountain overnight for consecutive day hire.

Clothing?

Suitable alpine clothing and accessories is the parent’s responsibility in all cases.  Suits down to age 3 years can be rented at the resort; hats and glove packages are available for purchase.

What does Ski School do for U5’s?

CHILDS PLAY or 1 on 1 lessons. Most children will only do one Child’s Play a day. However it is possible and older children often do two Child’s Plays a day. Within a day or two most children are mobile and independent upon the first Magic Learner lift. Once they are able ride the MacDougalls chairlift and ski down the beginners trail “Skyline” then integration into the Little Rippers programme can take place.

LITTLE RIPPERS or small group lessons. This is a small group situation where instructor to child ratios are limited (maximum 1:3) and lesson times are 2 hours in the morning and 1 hour in the afternoon to allow little kids to enjoy their snow time without burning out.

What Is A Magic Learner Lift?

A moving conveyor belt on the snow surface.  Cardrona has three of these.  One small one is reserved exclusively for the use of the Kids Centres within 20m of the front door.  These make a huge difference to your child’s’ enjoyment and participation in their first snow experience.

What Are Skiwees, Little Shredders And Lowriders?

Skiwees (skiers 5-14yrs) and Lowriders (snowboarder 8-14yrs) is the BEST learning outcome for children available through the Kids Centres. All will receive lunch and supervision for up to 7 hours per day. This will allow MORE snow contact time, as the classes will be able to come and go from the Kids Centres as they wish. This is a four day programme only starting every Monday and finishing on Thursday. Sign in at the relevant Kids Centre prior to 10am.

Little Shredders - snow boarding lessons for 6 and 7 year olds operating out of the Junior Centre. Bookings are essential.

At What Age Can I Snowboard?

At age 6 kids can become involved in all our programmes including in snowboarding lessons.

© Cardrona Ski Resort Ltd