Loveland's ski school is at Loveland Valley, its beginner area 53 miles from Denver. Loveland says some of its instructors are trained to support autism, and the Valley chairlifts can be slowed down when you ask.
Know before you go. Loveland doesn't list sensory supports, but it says some ski school instructors are trained to support autism, and its two Valley lifts can be slowed when you ask.
Loveland Ski Area: Ski and Ride School
Address
Loveland Valley, I-70 exit 216 (53 miles west of Denver, just before the Eisenhower Tunnel) Directions
Hours
Opening for 2026-27 in late October to early November. Lifts run 9 am to 4 pm on weekdays and 8:30 am to 4 pm on weekends and holidays (Nov 26 and 27, Dec 25 to Jan 1, Jan 18, Feb 15).
Call
303-571-5580Ski and Ride School, ext. 170; accommodations, ext. 136
“Loveland's Ski and Ride School does have instructors trained to support many conditions, including impaired eyesight, speech, hearing, autism, emotional and specific learning disabilities.” skiloveland.com
Space
“Lift 7 and lift 3, which serve the Valley, are fixed grip chairs that can be easily slowed down if a request is made to the operator.” “Magic Carpet” conveyor lifts serve the beginner slope too. skiloveland.com
Crowds
Ages 4 to 6: “Group size limit of 4 students per instructor.” “Kids who ride the chairlift will always be accompanied by Loveland SRS staff.” skiloveland.com
Temperature
At the Valley, “The patio and all Valley walkways are heated to minimize ice and snow except under extreme conditions.” skiloveland.com
Rules
“Reservations are strongly recommended for all children's lessons, especially on weekends and holidays.” Walk-ins are first come, first served. skiloveland.com
“Loveland Valley: Beginner and racer area.” The Ski and Ride School is “located at the Valley,” with its own lodge, elevator and “a private family restroom on the upper level.”
Our note Ask for the lift to be slowed every time your kid gets on, not just the first time. Loveland says the two Valley chairs, Lift 7 and Lift 3, can be slowed when you ask the operator.
Our note Loveland strongly recommends booking kids' lessons ahead, especially for weekends and holidays.
Three things to know
Full-day kids' lessons (lesson, lift ticket, rental gear with helmet and goggles, lunch and snacks): ages 4 to 6 $279, ages 7 to 14 $259. Check in from 8 am; lessons run 10 am to 3:30 pm.
Private lessons for ages 3 and up: 2 hours $349 or 3 hours $399 for one child, plus $110 for each extra child; rentals and lift tickets aren't included. Kids 6 and under: at most 2 per private lesson.
Parking is free at the base, and a shuttle runs between the Basin and the Valley every 5 to 10 minutes. The Valley stop is in front of the Valley Sport Shop.
Ages 7 to 14 ski in ability groups of up to 8. They may ride the chairlift alone, with another kid, with staff or with another skier, as the instructor decides.
If you check in more than 30 minutes late for a private lesson, it has to be cancelled or rescheduled, with fees.
Valley ADA parking is in Lot B next to the Valley lodge, with flat paved access. The Valley elevator connects the restaurant level to the rental shop, ski school and snow.
Lift 7, the main Valley chair, is about 40 feet from the patio.
Service animals are welcome inside, but not on lifts or slopes.
The Snowstang bus runs from Denver Union Station, Federal Center and Golden on weekends from Dec 13.
Accommodation questions: Season Pass Office, 303-571-5580 ext. 136, or ticket@skiloveland.com “If telephone communication is difficult.”
What Loveland doesn't say
not stated how to ask for an autism-trained instructor when you book online
not stated whether parents can watch the group lesson
not stated where a kid can take a break indoors during the lesson
not stated 2026-27 private lesson availability for ages 3
Kids' lessons start at the new children's center at Loveland Valley. Check-in opens at 8 am, the lesson runs 10 am to 3:30 pm with lunch and snacks, and rental gear, a helmet and goggles are included. Ages 4 to 6 ski in groups of up to 4 with one instructor, and staff always ride the chairlift with them. Change anything.
Common questions
What if my child won't look at the schedule or story?
That is common at first. Leave it where the moment happens, point to one picture at a time, and keep it low-pressure. Many kids warm up to it after a few calm tries, in their own time.
Can I make this in Spanish?
Yes. Every tool and this page exist in Spanish, and the printed page comes out in the language you choose. Use the language switch at the top.
Do I need an account?
No. There is no signup, and we don’t keep what you type; anything you save stays on your device. Make it, print it, done.
