Kids' ski club with weekend lessons

Parents who want their children to learn to ski, improve and make friends without driving them to the hill every weekend.

Seasonal club fees per child that cover lift tickets, instruction and transport, with your margin on top. Some clubs add rentals, end-of-season events or holiday camps.

• Organizing schedules and families
• Working well with children and parents
• Ski coaching or hiring qualified instructors
• Safety awareness

• Insurance: general liability, possibly accident coverage, and check any transport provider's coverage; talk to a broker experienced with youth programs
• Background checks and child safety policies for staff and volunteers; check your state's requirements for working with minors
• Transporting children: use a licensed charter company or check rules before driving a van yourself
• Signed parent waivers and medical and emergency contact forms; have a local attorney review them
• Ski areas may have their own rules for outside groups and instructors, so get terms in writing
• Weather and snow conditions can cancel sessions, so set a clear refund or make-up policy

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $8,000, depending on insurance, equipment, instructors and transport arrangements. These are estimates, so get quotes from ski areas and providers before setting your fees.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on how many children enroll and your pricing. These are estimates, and weather can cancel sessions, so set a clear refund or make-up policy.

Check your state's requirements for working with minors, including background checks and child safety policies for staff and volunteers. Look into insurance, and if you transport children, use a licensed charter company or check the rules before driving a van yourself.