the Cost of Ski Instruction

We sent our son on a skiing retreat with a group that was spending a day on the mountain. Since he had not skied before, we felt a lesson covering the basics was in order. The price included a group lesson with an instructor and about 10 beginning skiers. It did not include the cost of the lift ticket or ski equipment rental. The lesson lasted about 4 hours and by the end of it, they were able to navigate their way down the mountain from the "bunny hill", take either the rope or the lift to the top of a ski run, and get down it. There were also instructions regarding mountain safety and how to fall "properly".

The instructor did a decent job of teaching the group the basics of the snow plow, how to plan their poles for stability and to make turns, getting the gear on and off and adjusting it appropriately. For a group the size they had, I thought they each learned how to traverse the hill fairly well. Obviously some were better than others and it took a bit of waiting for everyone to get their gear on correctly - even with the extra ski lodge workers helping at first. It was a safe environment and the instructor did a very good job of giving some basic mountain safety tips that hopefully would stay with the skiers too.

A smaller group would be the best. If you can choose the time you go and the lesson, ask for whatever group is the smallest. You will get more individualized attention and better learning environment. Learning to ski in the "off" hours would be an advantage - not waiting in lines for the ropes/lifts.