
Mini Mountaineers
Mini Mountaineers
Winter adventure team for boys ages 3-5
*Please note that this program does not offer lessons on how to ski or snowboard. Instead the program’s purpose is to teach the building blocks that come before lessons. ie: balancing on spooner boards, riding the magic carpet etc. The goal of the Mini Mountaineers is to empower boys in snow sports and get them outside having fun.
Sports, superheroes and a mandatory hot chocolate break!
The Mini Mountaineers is a winter adventure team for boys ages 3-5. The program is designed to get boys outside and having fun in the snow! The Mini Mountaineers will spend the winter sledding, going on adventure hikes, playing games, drinking hot chocolate and more! Each session is one hour long and will have a different theme each week, incorporating sports, superheroes and a mandatory hot chocolate break!
Waiver
All participants must complete this form prior to joining. Copies are also available at Cannonsburg.
The Details/FAQs
The Mini Mountaineers will be outside for the majority of each session so please plan accordingly. We recommend a warm coat, snow bibs or pants, hat, warm mittens or gloves, boots and warm under clothes. The more layers the better!!!
Each class is one hour long and is $30 per session. Please register early, as each session is capped at 14 Mini Mountaineers. You can register online (for a single or multiple sessions).
The Mini Mountaineers are independent, adventurous, and fierce but let’s face it, every now and then it’s nice to wave at mom and dad in-between winter adventures. Since each session is only an hour long we recommend that a parent or family member remain on-site. While the Mini Mountaineers are off on one of their winter adventures, you’ll be able to have lunch by the fireplace up in the Cedar Lounge Restaurant.
The Mini Mountaineers will meet in the Bear Creek room. The closest entrance is on the West side of the lodge. We ask that you arrive 15 minutes early to meet the instructors and check-in your Mini Mountaineer! Please bring a driver’s license or passport for the check-in process. Pick-up will be in the same location as drop-off. Please arrive 5 minutes ahead of time to make sure that you are there waiting for your Mini Mountaineer. They will be ready to tell you about their winter adventures!
The short answer is yes! We realize that the Mini Mountaineers are young, and that accidents will happen, but keep in mind that the Mini Mountaineers will be outside and away from the bathroom for a full hour. We’ll do a bathroom roll call before we head outside but it helps if parents check too!
Our number one priority is keeping the Mini Mountaineers safe and warm. If it’s too cold outside we will have winter adventures indoors! We will find plenty of adventures inside and have a full list of indoor activities to keep the Mini Mountaineers busy!
Mini Mountaineers Schedule
Feb. 15th: Do You Want To Build A Snowman?
Session #1: 10am-11am
Session #2: 11:45am-12:45pm
The Mini Mountaineers will head outside for a mini session filled with snow! They will start out with a snowball toss, and then hike out to visit Olaf. Once they reach Olaf, they will take turns trying to pin a carrot nose on him. Afterwards, the Mini’s will return to the lodge for an inside parade, and then head back for an Olaf craft. They will finish the day with hot cocoa, and snowman dipping sticks!
Feb. 22nd: Mini Super Heroes
Session #1: 10am-11am
Session #2: 11:45am-12:45pm
The Mini Mountaineers will start the day by picking super powers out of a treasure chest. Once they are granted their superhero powers, they will head out to protect the hill! Using their combined powers (it’s called Mini Strength) they will work together to solve a few challenges like moving snow boulders out of the way, and making sure the skiers and snowboarders of Cannonsburg are safe! They will finish the day inside the lodge, decorating super hero shields.
Dec. 28th: Hello 2025
Session #1: 10am-11am
Session #2: 11:45am-12:45pm
The Mini Mountaineers will head out on their final snowy hike of 2024. After the hike, the Mini’s will go on a tubing parade at the base of the hill with their instructors. Once they return inside, the Mini Mountaineers will grab their NYE noise makers and parade through the lodge, wishing everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR. The session will end with mini mocktails and a special treat!
Jan. 4th: Mini Detectives
Session #1: 10am-11am
Session #2: 11:45am-12:45pm
The Cannonsburg mascot was kidnapped and the Mini Mountaineers are left a ransom note. They must solve clues left behind to find the mascot before he is covered by snow. The Mini’s will embark on an outside adventure in the snow, solving clues as they go. Once they recover the mascot, they will head back to the base to get pulled in tubes by their instructors. At the end of the day, the Mini’s will head inside to warm up with hot cocoa and a special treat.
Jan. 11th: Mini Mountaineer Astronauts
Session #1: 10am-11am
Session #2: 11:45am-12:45pm
Welcome to Mini Nasa Headquarters. The Mini team will head outside across the snowy landscape of Cannonsburg. Once they reach their outdoor science research center, they will take turns looking for a new galaxy with their telescope. Afterwards they will take turns spinning on the base of the hill in tubes. They will finish the day with astronaut ice cream and drink hot cocoa while building star galaxies out of marshmallows.
Jan. 18th: Winter Olympics
Session #1: 10am-11am
Session #2: 11:45am-12:45pm
The Mini Mountaineers will start their day with an opening Olympic ceremony march throughout the lodge. Afterwards, they will head outside where the games will begin. Together as a team the Minis will participate in a relay passing a snowball, and practicing their long jumps. Once they get back inside, they will participate in a medal ceremony. The day will end with hot cocoa and cupcakes.
Jan. 25th: Jurassic Park
Session #1: 10am-11am
Session #2: 11:45am-12:45pm
Rumors are swirling around Cannonsburg that there was a dinosaur sighting. The Mini Mountaineers will head out on a hike in search of Jurassic Park. Once the Mini Mountaineers find the park, they will help excavate the site for dinosaur eggs. Once the Mini Mountaineers finish the hike, they will head back inside to decorate their own dinosaur eggs. They will finish the day with hot cocoa and a sweet treat.
Feb. 1st: Groundhog Day!
Session #1: 10am-11am
Session #2: 11:45am-12:45pm
The Mini Mountaineers will head out in search of Cannonsburg’s resident groundhog, named Bergie. Using clues, they will find out if he sees his shadow or not. Once the Minnies return back to the base of the hill, they will go on a tubing ride with their instructors! Afterwards, the Mini’s will head inside to decorate (and name) their own groundhogs. They will warm up with hot cocoa and Bergies favorite snack…rice krispie treats!
Feb. 8th: Be My (Mini) Valentine
Session #1: 10am-11am
Session #2: 11:45am-12:45pm
The Mini’s will celebrate Valentine’s Day early by heading out for a tubing spin at the base of the hill. After they are done, they will hike to Friendship Mountain, where they will collect friendship rocks. When they return from their hike, they will head back to the lodge to make Valentine’s Day cards, and warm up with hot cocoa and a snack.
Feb. 15th: Do You Want To Build A Snowman?
Session #1: 10am-11am
Session #2: 11:45am-12:45pm
The Mini Mountaineers will head outside for a mini session filled with snow! They will start out with a snowball toss, and then hike out to visit Olaf. Once they reach Olaf, they will take turns trying to pin a carrot nose on him. Afterwards, the Mini’s will return to the lodge for an inside parade, and then head back for an Olaf craft. They will finish the day with hot cocoa, and snowman dipping sticks!
Feb. 22nd: Mini Super Heroes
Session #1: 10am-11am
Session #2: 11:45am-12:45pm
The Mini Mountaineers will start the day by picking super powers out of a treasure chest. Once they are granted their superhero powers, they will head out to protect the hill! Using their combined powers (it’s called Mini Strength) they will work together to solve a few challenges like moving snow boulders out of the way, and making sure the skiers and snowboarders of Cannonsburg are safe! They will finish the day inside the lodge, decorating super hero shields.
Dec. 28th: Hello 2025
Session #1: 10am-11am
Session #2: 11:45am-12:45pm
The Mini Mountaineers will head out on their final snowy hike of 2024. After the hike, the Mini’s will go on a tubing parade at the base of the hill with their instructors. Once they return inside, the Mini Mountaineers will grab their NYE noise makers and parade through the lodge, wishing everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR. The session will end with mini mocktails and a special treat!
Jan. 4th: Mini Detectives
Session #1: 10am-11am
Session #2: 11:45am-12:45pm
The Cannonsburg mascot was kidnapped and the Mini Mountaineers are left a ransom note. They must solve clues left behind to find the mascot before he is covered by snow. The Mini’s will embark on an outside adventure in the snow, solving clues as they go. Once they recover the mascot, they will head back to the base to get pulled in tubes by their instructors. At the end of the day, the Mini’s will head inside to warm up with hot cocoa and a special treat.
Jan. 11th: Mini Mountaineer Astronauts
Session #1: 10am-11am
Session #2: 11:45am-12:45pm
Welcome to Mini Nasa Headquarters. The Mini team will head outside across the snowy landscape of Cannonsburg. Once they reach their outdoor science research center, they will take turns looking for a new galaxy with their telescope. Afterwards they will take turns spinning on the base of the hill in tubes. They will finish the day with astronaut ice cream and drink hot cocoa while building star galaxies out of marshmallows.
Jan. 18th: Winter Olympics
Session #1: 10am-11am
Session #2: 11:45am-12:45pm
The Mini Mountaineers will start their day with an opening Olympic ceremony march throughout the lodge. Afterwards, they will head outside where the games will begin. Together as a team the Minis will participate in a relay passing a snowball, and practicing their long jumps. Once they get back inside, they will participate in a medal ceremony. The day will end with hot cocoa and cupcakes.
Jan. 25th: Jurassic Park
Session #1: 10am-11am
Session #2: 11:45am-12:45pm
Rumors are swirling around Cannonsburg that there was a dinosaur sighting. The Mini Mountaineers will head out on a hike in search of Jurassic Park. Once the Mini Mountaineers find the park, they will help excavate the site for dinosaur eggs. Once the Mini Mountaineers finish the hike, they will head back inside to decorate their own dinosaur eggs. They will finish the day with hot cocoa and a sweet treat.
Feb. 1st: Groundhog Day!
Session #1: 10am-11am
Session #2: 11:45am-12:45pm
The Mini Mountaineers will head out in search of Cannonsburg’s resident groundhog, named Bergie. Using clues, they will find out if he sees his shadow or not. Once the Minnies return back to the base of the hill, they will go on a tubing ride with their instructors! Afterwards, the Mini’s will head inside to decorate (and name) their own groundhogs. They will warm up with hot cocoa and Bergies favorite snack…rice krispie treats!
Feb. 8th: Be My (Mini) Valentine
Session #1: 10am-11am
Session #2: 11:45am-12:45pm
The Mini’s will celebrate Valentine’s Day early by heading out for a tubing spin at the base of the hill. After they are done, they will hike to Friendship Mountain, where they will collect friendship rocks. When they return from their hike, they will head back to the lodge to make Valentine’s Day cards, and warm up with hot cocoa and a snack.
Feb. 15th: Do You Want To Build A Snowman?
Session #1: 10am-11am
Session #2: 11:45am-12:45pm
The Mini Mountaineers will head outside for a mini session filled with snow! They will start out with a snowball toss, and then hike out to visit Olaf. Once they reach Olaf, they will take turns trying to pin a carrot nose on him. Afterwards, the Mini’s will return to the lodge for an inside parade, and then head back for an Olaf craft. They will finish the day with hot cocoa, and snowman dipping sticks!
Feb. 22nd: Mini Super Heroes
Session #1: 10am-11am
Session #2: 11:45am-12:45pm
The Mini Mountaineers will start the day by picking super powers out of a treasure chest. Once they are granted their superhero powers, they will head out to protect the hill! Using their combined powers (it’s called Mini Strength) they will work together to solve a few challenges like moving snow boulders out of the way, and making sure the skiers and snowboarders of Cannonsburg are safe! They will finish the day inside the lodge, decorating super hero shields.
Meet the Instructors

Danielle Musto
Program Director
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Danielle Musto
Program Director
Danielle loves anything that involves being outside, especially mountain biking, fat biking and trail running. She used to race mountain bikes professionally and specialized in ultra-endurance and single speed events. Danielle is the 2011 24 hour single speed National Champion and founder of the Grand Rapids Dirt Dawgs, a non-profit mountain bike organization for kids. Danielle helped pilot the Mountain Minnie program and manages indoor operations and marketing at Cannonsburg.

Cassidy Gale
Instructor
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Cassidy Gale
Instructor
Cassidy, a professional wake surfer, grew up snowboarding on the slopes at Cannonsburg. She is the current 2019 Wake Surf World Champion and attends Grand Valley State University. In 2017, Cassidy helped pilot the Cannonsburg Mountain Minnies, a program to help empower young girls in snow sports. Cassidy loves spending her time working with kids and sharing her love of the outdoors.

Lauren Comstock
Instructor
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Lauren Comstock
Instructor
Lauren is a graduate of Central Michigan University’s Recreation and Event Management program and is now runs all of the children's programs here at Cannonsburg. It was at CMU that she discovered her passion for getting people outside and immersed in nature. She loves anything that involves the outdoors or adventure; skiing, camping, hiking, running, mountain biking, you name it! She can’t wait to use her passions to inspire and empower young adventurers!











