Mad River Glen has a ski school that, like the area, marches to its own drummer.

Group lessons: The Create Your Own Group is $125 for a one-hour lesson. A second two-hour Create Your Own Group on the same day is $100.

First-timer package: The Beginner “You Can” Learn to Ski Package, including lifts, two-hour lesson and rentals, is $65 for either Alpine or telemark. A follow-up two-hour lesson on the same day costs $45. A nice touch for beginners—so few come here to learn that classes almost always end up being private lessons.

Private lessons: Cost is $55 for one hour, plus $20 per additional person; $90 for two hours, plus $34 per additional person. The "I Can" card delivers three one-hour private lessons for $125

Special programs: Free Heel Fridays is a two-hour telemark lesson, at either 10 a.m. or 1 p.m., for $40.

Photographed in the Mad River Valley at Mad River Glen by T.J. Greenwood