Tonkawood accepts children ages 3 and up. Three- and four-year-olds ski in beginner groups alongside other young first-timers.
Because groups are formed by ability rather than age, a young beginner is never placed with more advanced skiers simply because of their birthday.
Children who have never skied are welcome. Tonkawood begins with beginner lessons at any age, and each child is placed by skill level rather than age using the information you give at sign-up.
Because groups are organised by ability rather than age, the ages within a single lesson may vary. After each lesson, instructors evaluate every skier's skills and development, and children may move between groups and skill levels across the six lessons as they progress.
Six. Tonkawood is a multi-week season program rather than a single lesson — your child skis with the program across six scheduled dates over the winter, building on the week before each time.
If a lesson is cancelled for weather, it is covered by the scheduled make-up dates.
Each Tonkawood lesson is two hours long. Your child skis six of these lessons across the winter season, in a small group of skiers at their own ability level.
By skill level. Tonkawood places each child using the skiing information you provide at sign-up, so the ages within a single group may vary.
Instructors evaluate progress after every lesson, and children move between groups as they improve over the six-lesson season.
Groups are small — around five skiers. Children are grouped by ability rather than age, so a group may include a range of ages.
Instructors evaluate each skier's progress after every lesson, and children may move between groups across the six-lesson season as they improve.
Tonkawood instructors have a background in teaching skiing and work through a curriculum Tonkawood has defined for each session, matched to the skier's skill level.
Because groups are built by ability, your child starts where they actually are. Instructors evaluate each skier's skills and development after every lesson, and children move between groups and skill levels across the six lessons as they progress.
Tonkawood Ski School is $400 for the season, which covers six instructor-led lessons and your child's ski pass. Equipment is not included; seasonal rentals are available separately through Powder Ridge.
The alpine race team is priced separately and does not include a ski pass. Race team pricing is tiered by registration date — see the sign-up page for the current rate.
Yes, for ski school. The $400 ski school price includes your child's ski pass for the lesson days.
The alpine race team does not include a ski pass. Equipment is not included in either program.
Tonkawood lessons are held at Powder Ridge Ski Area, 15015 93rd Ave, Kimball, MN 55353. Tonkawood is a Twin Cities ski school — families come from Minneapolis and the west metro and travel to Powder Ridge for lessons.
Powder Ridge can be reached at (320) 398-7200.
Tonkawood runs both Saturday and Sunday sessions. Arrive by 9am for Saturday sessions and by 1pm for Sunday sessions. Each lesson runs two hours.
The season schedule lists the six lesson dates along with the make-up dates used if a lesson is cancelled for weather.
Check in at your group's flag, where you will meet your instructor.
If you cannot find your flag or have any questions, there is always someone in the chalet who can help.
Parents of 3- and 4-year-olds are expected to help with their child's group. Very young skiers need more hands on the hill, and a familiar one makes a real difference.
For older children, parents are welcome and encouraged to ski along and help out with their child's group if they would like to.
Each child needs skis, boots, a helmet, goggles, warm layers, snow pants, a warm jacket, ski mittens or gloves, warm ski socks and a neck gaiter. Beginners do not need poles — you will be told when your skier is ready for them. Hand warmers make happy skiers and parents!
Renting
Powder Ridge offers a seasonal rental package — skis, boots and poles — for $199. You take the equipment home each week and return it at the end of the season. Identify yourself as a Tonkawood parent for this pricing.
If you are renting, either pick up your gear before the first lesson or arrive an hour early on the first day to get fitted and ready to ski.
Buying
Hoigaards and Gear West Alpine are our retail partners. They carry a full line-up of new and used boots, skis, poles, helmets, clothing and winter accessories.
No. Tonkawood skiers do not use poles until they reach intermediate or advanced level, so there is no need to buy them for a beginner. Your instructor will tell you when your child is ready for poles.
Yes. Every Tonkawood skier needs a helmet. Please put your child's full name on tape on the front of the helmet so instructors can identify skiers quickly on the hill.
Tonkawood may cancel a lesson when the temperature or wind chill is -10 degrees or lower. Cancellations are announced by 6am on Saturdays and 8am on Sundays by email, on this website and on social media. Do not assume a lesson is cancelled unless you have been notified.
Some days sound worse than they ski. Because of wind direction and other conditions, we may decide to go ahead with classes on a day the forecast looks questionable.
Cancelled lessons are covered by the scheduled make-up dates — see the season schedule.
Let us know before class, even very early that morning. Knowing who is absent helps instructors organise groups on the day.
Email: info@tonkawoodskischool.com
Molly's cell (call or text): 612.251.4381
Yes. Team Tonkawood is an alpine race team for skiers ages 7 to 15, run with Powder Ridge, for young skiers ready to move from lessons into gate training and competition.
The race team is priced separately from ski school and does not include a ski pass.