Time to hit slopes for Deseret News/KSL News Radio Ski and Snowboard School

It may not seem the right time, with barely a trace of snow on the ground, but it won't be too long before the slopes are white and ski lifts will be running daily.

Which means, of course, registration has begun for the 63rd session for skiers and the 12th session for snowboarders in the Deseret News/KSL News Radio Ski and Snowboard School.

As in the past, there will be three classes. The first will be Nov. 20, followed by a break for Thanksgiving, and the final two classes will be Dec. 4 and 11.

And as in the past, skiers will go to Alta and snowboarders to Snowbird.

The school is intended for beginners in skiing and snowboarding.

Lessons begin with the basics, such as learning to carry and walk, and cover such topics as balance, stance, straight-line runs and turning.

Over the decades, the school has proven to be one of the most inexpensive and painless ways for beginners to learn a winter sport.

It is one of the oldest learn-to-ski programs in the United States.

There will be two sessions for the ski school each day. The ski school will be limited to 400 skiers — 200 for the morning session and 200 for the afternoon classes.

The snowboard program will be limited to 200 students — 100 in the morning and 100 in the afternoon.

The cost will be $40 for the three classes. Each class will run for about two hours.

The morning session for both skiing and snowboarding will start at 9:30 a.m.

The afternoon session for both skiing and snowboarding will start at 1 p.m.