A ski resort in San Diego County is going to attract a lot of first-time skiers. We know this. We've accepted this. We've built our entire ski school around this fact, and today we're announcing the team and equipment that will turn beach people into mountain people -- or at least into people who can stop without falling.
Meet the Head Instructor
Mirage Mountain Resort has hired Marcus Reeves as Director of Snow Sports. Marcus spent 14 years instructing at Mammoth Mountain and 3 years as head of the ski school at Eldora Mountain in Colorado. He has PSIA Level III certification, a gift for teaching nervous adults, and the patience of a saint.
"I've taught people to ski at 11,000 feet and at 8,000 feet. Teaching at 6,100 feet on Palomar Mountain is new, but the fundamentals don't change: pizza, french fries, don't look down, and trust the mountain." -- Marcus Reeves, Director of Snow Sports
Marcus is building a team of 25 certified instructors for opening season, with plans to expand to 40 for the 2027/28 season. All instructors will hold PSIA or AASI certification.
Programs
The Mirage Mountain Ski School will offer:
- First Timer Package: 2-hour group lesson + rental equipment + beginner lift access for $129. Designed for adults who have never been on skis and are brave enough to admit it.
- Kids Mountain Camp: Full-day programs for ages 4-12, including lessons, supervised skiing, lunch, and enough hot chocolate to power a small village. $149/day.
- Private Lessons: One-on-one instruction for all ability levels, $199 for 2 hours. Worth every penny if you want to look competent by lunchtime.
- Group Lessons: 2-hour sessions for beginner and intermediate skiers, $79. Max 8 students per group.
- Snowboard programs: All of the above, but for snowboarding. We don't discriminate based on equipment choices.
The Rental Fleet
Our rental shop in The Warming Hut will stock 500 sets of ski and snowboard equipment for the inaugural season, featuring current-season gear from Rossignol, Salomon, and Burton. The fleet includes:
- 300 ski packages (skis, boots, poles) in adult and junior sizes
- 150 snowboard packages (board, boots) in adult and junior sizes
- 50 helmet and goggle sets available for rental
- Demo skis from premium lines for advanced skiers who want to try before they buy
All rental equipment is maintained by certified technicians and tuned nightly. Because nothing ruins a first ski day faster than dull edges and loose bindings.
The Bigger Picture
Here's what we know: most of the people who will ski Palomar Mountain in our first season will be trying skiing for the first time. That's not a challenge -- that's an opportunity. San Diego County has millions of people who have never had easy access to a ski resort. We're going to be the place where they discover that snow is fun, that falling is part of the process, and that hot chocolate tastes better at elevation.
Our ski school isn't an afterthought. It's the front door. Book your lessons when reservations open this fall, and check out our Eternal Snow Founding Member Pass for unlimited access all season.