Editor’s Note: Iwan Fuchs serves as the Snowsports School Director at Pennsylvania’s Seven Springs Resort.

Seven Springs Snowsports School is rated #1 in the Mid-Atlantic thanks to readers of DCSki.com, and Seven Springs is ranked atop 10 ski resort in the East according to the 2008 Ski Magazine Reader Survey. As the Snowsports School Director I am always excited and committed to being one of the leading schools in the US of A. My personal experience and advanced education enables me to implement state of the art programs to offer to our guests at Seven Springs. I am also a Ski Academy Switzerland Coach where I coach professional instructors and athletes at resorts in Europe. I dedicate about four to six weeks in the summer to educating other instructors from all around the world. This gives me the cutting edge in instruction and coaching and firsthand experience. The first time is always in August for two-four weeks, followed by two weeks in October. The resort is very supportive of this because it enhances their ranking as a top-quality school.

Seven Springs Snowsports School is in many ways a front leader in new programs and methods. As one of the largest schools we have the resources and knowledge to create the ultimate experience for all ability levels. Want to start or improve your skiing and riding skills? Want to get your ski legs back or need a grip on your board? Not sure what program is best for you? We have got something for you. Besides many improvements on and off the slopes we are happy to announce the much awaited new Gravity Park School, part of the Junior Ski & Snowboard School. An all-day Snowsports Park School for intermediate skiers and boarders ages 8-12 and ages 13-17 will be offered on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Now parents can enjoy the slopes, numerous remodeled restaurants & bars, coffee shops or a supreme spa experience at our brand new Spa even more because the little rippers will be in good hands with our certified Professional Ski Instructor of America (PSIA) and the American Association of Snowboard Instructor (AASI) instructional staff. They will teach your kid everything you ever wanted to make sure they know and make sure they know what to do at our nationally ranked park & pipe parks.

On the other side of the plaza you will see our nationally ranked Tiny-Tot Ski School. Are you ready to a have a sensational ski day for your little one? Our remodeled school building will allow our staff to serve you with outstanding service and convenience. Our always small class size, no more then 5 in a class, is one of its kind in the USA. Online registration, rental shop, cafeteria, and everything a little one desires is in one facility. Our kid’s school also has its own kid’s corner for our smallest members. Our new Snow Garden will give our kids a unique snow experience. The school also installed four new flat screen TV’s.

Did I mention that Nordic is back again at the Springs! Are you no longer challenged? Try Telemark, which will be offered on three weekends as a primer. We have also increased the length of our regular group lesson to give our guests more time with our instructors.

We are one of the first Schools in the East to offer private coaching. We offer half and full day coaching packages from one-on-one to up to five people for a flat fee. It’s like renting an instructor for your family, company or reunion for the day. The instructor will not only teach you the skills needed to slide down our beautiful slopes, they will also guide you through the resort.

Another milestone will be taken when Seven Springs Snowsports School introduces the Learn-To-Ride (LTR) program from Burton for this winter. We know it is not always easy for a beginner to pick up boarding. With the LTR Burton program we will offer a small class size prime progression program for beginners, ages 13 and up. This program will be offered just like the one at Breckenridge. It’s an all day primer program. Seven Springs again is a leader and one of the only schools in the nation to offer this type of program as a whole day program. Most LTR programs offer one or two group lessons. We go the extra mile and make it an all day program - 4 hours on snow.

Seven Springs made some significant improvements to its existing slopes and tree skiing. More tree skiing will be available. New park features will be available for intermediate skiers and boarders. The expansion will not only serve the park skiers and boarders. Novice and intermediate parks are good tools for all level 6 skiers and boarders to sharpen their skills. The new teaching approach at Seven Springs goes in a new direction of using the park and freestyle for traditional alpine, Nordic and snowboard teaching. We are one of the first schools in the USA to commit to balancing the two teaching methods.

Snowmaking also received a make over. We installed more automated snow guns around the mountain. All chairs at Seven Springs will have padded seating.

The local secret: The Snowsports School will have the largest 40 minute formation ski show with lights, lasers and music in the East. You won’t want to miss this event. For all other programs, tips from our pros and to meet our team, please visit www.7springs.com.

Iwan Fuchs is the Snowsports School Director at Pennsylvania’s Seven Springs Resort.