Group lessons: For intermediate and advanced skiers or snowboarders, lessons cost $87 for a full day and $73 for a half day during regular season; $80 for all day and $68 for a half day during value season. Beginners can choose from just a clinic ($34 for all day, $29 for half-day) or a package (see below).

First-timer package: For first-timers and beginners, an all-day lesson, lift and rental package for skiers and snowboarders costs $105 regular season; $100 value season. Half-day packages cost $5 less. The resort allows novices to repeat the first lesson at no charge until they've learned to descend from the Preview lift in a controlled manner.

Private lessons: During regular season, cost is $185 for a 90-minute Early Bird Special starting at 8:30 a.m., $305 for two hours, $325 for a half-day afternoon, $370 for a half-day morning, $575 for all day. Value season prices are $175 for Early Bird Special, $275 for two hours, $295 for half-day afternoon, $340 for half-day morning and $540 for all day. Reservations required; call (800) 299-5017.

Special programs: First Tracks, Bumps and Parks & Pipe clinics last from 1.5 to three hours and cost $35–$85. Three-day women's programs are $395. Adult ski, ride & tele weeks run Monday-Friday, one week each month from December to March, and cost $195 for five all-day lessons.

Steamboat offers free guided skiing for anyone over age 50. Called the Over the Hill Gang, it's open to anyone who is an intermediate skier or better. Meet outside the Ski & Snowboard School Ticket Office at 9 a.m. any day of the week. Or join the group at the Thunderhead Cafeteria, third floor at the top of the gonodola, between 11:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. for an afternoon of camaraderie on the slopes. The Over the Hill Gang started in 1985 and now has more than 400 members.

Racing: Steamboat is home to 69 Olympians so it's a natural for racing and competition programs. The resort has one of the largest race facilities in the world with NASTAR racing open to the public from 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Wednesdays through Sundays in the Bashor Race Arena. A daily pass (unlimited runs) costs $10/day. Also in the race arena is a dual race-training course—fun if you've always told your buddies that you would dust them in a race. The course is open from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at $1 per run. In March 2007, Steamboat is hosting NASTAR Nationals.

Steamboat also has the Billy Kidd Performance Center which offers one-, two- and three-day camps on specific dates for adults who are at least of intermediate ability. The camps refine technique in the bumps, through race gates and on tough terrain. One-day camps (Monday or Thursday) cost $225; two-day camps (Thursday–Friday) are $450 and three-day camps (Monday–Wednesday) $675.

Photo courtesy of Steamboat Ski & Resort Corp.