2025/2026
Elementary Intramural Skiing
Parent Information Meeting
Key IM Ski Information
•Each school will be transported for 5 IM ski sessions. Bus rules and safety will be consistent with normal school day requirements. Ski packages will include 4 lessons.
•Upon arrival students will get off the bus and move to their school’s designated area in the lodge to stow belongings and prepare for skiing.
•Pick up at the end of the evening will be in the student’s designated area of the lodge.
�Permission for Elementary Intramural Skiing and Snowboarding��This is a two part required permission.
Both the top and bottom of the ‘Blue Form’ must be completed and returned the your child’s building IM coordinator. One copy stays in the building and one stays on site with us at Tussey.
Tussey Mountain Ski Area is located in Boalsburg off Route 322. ��Upon arrival you are greeted by the welcome sign.
Children are picked up at their school and transported to Tussey at the end of the school day.
Students ARE allowed to bring ski/snowboard equipment on the bus that transports them to Tussey.
However, they may NOT bring their equipment on the normal morning school bus run. Parents must make arrangements to get the equipment to school in another way. Each school provides a place to store the equipment until it is time to board the Tussey-bound coach in the afternoon. Children who have their own equipment will place it in the luggage compartment under the coach.
The Tussey Mountain ticket office is located by the parking lot. This is where children can get answers to questions regarding their passes and lessons. This is also the location for the lost and found.
When children arrive representatives from the school district and Tussey are on hand to greet them and provide up-to-date trail, conditions, and lesson information.
Children unload their equipment and possessions from the coach and enter the locker room door.
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Children proceed to their designated locker area in the lodge. Each school will be assigned a locker area which will have provisions for storing possessions and space to change.This is where they will get their clothing organized for skiing.
Tussey has added ample storage areas for equipment.
There is also limited paid locked storage available.
RFID Cards
Each child in the program will have an RFID card. The RFID ticketing system (card) allows the following information to be scanned at any location on the mountain:
•lift access
•lesson information
•rental information
•money balance available for meals
•parent contact information
How to get an RFID Card
Log on to https://estore.tusseymountain.com/programs
You will be asked to set up an account.
You will then select your program and pass.
•The first screen will explain your program.
•The second screen will allow you to select a pass. •Season pass holders will choose $0 to be a part of IM program.
•Then proceed to checkout. (Note: No Refunds)
RFID Scanner
Each time children access a lift or lesson their RFID card may be scanned.
Sometimes children forget their cards. The ticket office at Tussey keeps a record of all purchases and can assist children with these issues. �The friendly staff is there to ensure all children have a successful experience.
RFID cards that are bent, broken, or lost may be replaced for $5 fee.
RFID cards are electronically refillable and should be kept from year to year.
When ready children move from their locker/storage area to the equipment rental area. There they first exchange their shoes for boots.
Shoes are stored on a rack by the rental shop.
Chaperones and Tussey staff are on hand to assist children with equipment.
Helmets are mandatory and are included in the rental package and available to others for rent.
Rental information is submitted to Tussey ahead of time and kept in the rental office to expedite the rental process.
The rental shop staff will pre set skis/snowboards for children. After getting the appropriate footwear, children will be able to move directly to the labeled-by-school racks outside and pick up their skis/snowboards identified by tape with their name.
IM Open House
December 13 and 14 from 10-3
•Students and families can go to the Tussey rental shop to get pre fitted for skis and snowboards. This allows the Tussey personnel to have your child’s equipment prepared and on the outside racks starting the first day. This helps eliminate a longer wait in the rental shop.
•Ski School personnel will also be available to discuss appropriate lesson level placement for your child.
The ski technicians fit skis/snowboards to the child’s size and ability. Because of this it is important that each child uses only their assigned skis.
Tussey has a wide and up-to-date assortment of skis and snowboards to meet all sizes and ability levels.
After children are fitted for skis, they get ski poles. They determine the size they need using the provided chart, then get the appropriate poles.
District chaperones are available to help with poles and to be sure children have all of the necessary equipment.
When children have all of their equipment, they are ready to head out to the slopes.
Children exit the rental area door and
proceed to the ski slopes.
All rental equipment must be returned to
the rental shop at the end of the evening.
The yellow flag at the top of the beginner slope marks the lesson meeting place.
The ski school has a color system to help children progress through skill acquisition. After each lesson children will be informed which color lesson to report to next week. Color designations will be in the lesson meeting area. Stickers on badges will indicate lesson level.
It is important to carefully consider the appropriate color level for beginning skiers and boarders. These are specific considerations for boarders.
Snow Sport instructors post additional reminders on the slope for lesson times. Chaperones also work with children to get to appropriate lessons on time.
Children meet their instructors by the flag corresponding to their lesson color.
Instructors, recognizable by their blue jackets, teach beginners ski/snowboard techniques, safety and slope etiquette.
Lessons are highly recommended.
Lessons are provided for skiers and snowboarders.
At all times safety and safe practices are emphasized.
Important Lesson Information
The first week of the program, January 5 (Monday) and 6 (Tuesday), lessons are for never-ever skiers and snowboarders and for those still learning on the beginner slope (Red/Orange levels.) Lessons are 1 hour and 30 minutes long. After the first week beginner level lessons are 1 hour to accommodate other lesson levels which begin starting January 12. Beginners are highly urged to attend the first week lessons to ensure they get the most out of the program.
Unused Lessons or missed program days can be redeemed the week of 2/10-2/13 or 2/16-2/20. Check in at the main office for make ups.
These days are NOT a part of the SCASD IM ski program.
After 2/20 IM badge, lessons, and rentals expire.
Near the beginner slope is a clock for children to keep track of time so they can arrive at their lesson on time.
Children learn to ride the 2-person chair lift on the beginner slope.
The Beginner Slope is a gradual slope located right beside the parking lot. ��Its location affords a great viewing opportunity for family members.
���Children are taught how to use the safety bar on the chair lift.���
They are expected to use it on all chairlifts!
When the snowsport instructor has determined that a child is ready to move to the larger slope, they teach how to use the larger lift and accompany the child’s group to the top.���The first time up the mountain, all children are required to be with an instructor in a class!
The large chair lift seats 4, but works the same as the smaller lift on the beginner slope.
The ride up the lift is very scenic. Tussey has invested a great deal in snowmaking equipment to assure mountain snow even if nature doesn’t cooperate.
At the top of the mountain, the dismount procedure is the same as on the smaller lift.
The view from the top of the mountain is beautiful. The lodge is in the center.
When children are ready, as determined by their snowsport instructor, they receive lessons on the slopes accessed by the 4-person chairlift. They start on Deer Run then move to Utah and Grizzly. ��Lessons are available for all ability levels.
Children are also taught to recognize standard slope symbols indicating slope difficulty and are expected to only ski where they have been approved.
In addition to the snowsport instructors, all school district chaperones are available to assist children. ��All chaperones wear a green badge with their name and identifying them as employees of State College Area School District.
Chaperone Qualifications�
All school district chaperones
•Have required school district clearances
•Have completed an anti-bullying course
•Have completed certification for concussion protocol
•Have completed certification for sudden cardiac arrest
At the top of the slope is a ski patrol station. Children can receive assistance from the ski patrol there if necessary.
Ski patrol assistance can also be obtained at the ski patrol building next to the ticket office or from any ski patroller on the slope.
Patrollers are equipped to handle injuries and sickness.
School district chaperones are always stationed in the cafeteria to assist children. The large file box contains contact and emergency information for all participants.
Children are encouraged to take breaks. They can eat dinner and get warm on cold nights.
Skis and snowboards must be placed on racks before going inside.
Skiing works up an appetite!
Tussey Mountain has a cafeteria that offers many food and drink options.
Meal Information
•Participants may load money on RFID cards to be used in the cafeteria.
•Money for meals will be reloadable to RFID cards online by parents
•Funds can not be added online to any meal cards from previous years. Old meal cards can still be used, but when that balance is used it is necessary to move to the RFID card system.
(Menu Prices from 2026 Season)
As the evening comes to a close, children are encouraged to check the clock to be ready for 7:00 pickup.
For safety and to avoid congestion, students should be picked up in their designated meeting location.
Surveillance Cameras
As an added safety measure, Tussey Mountain has installed surveillance cameras in various locations around the mountain.
Communication
Join the Parent Square Group for your School
Financial Aid
Elementary IM Skiing - it’s the best!�Questions?