Ski School

Here goes, put this in begginning skiing forum as it is kind of linked!

When I go skiing in March my girlfriend will be learning to ski (she has just swapped from boarding). She has had a UK "taster" lesson where she can now link turns and will also by that time have had an intense day session - 5 or 6 hours in the day.

It is a long time since I was in ski school. Do they still choose your grading by making you all stand at the top of the hill, you ski down and they point where to stand? Or is it a bit different now?

The alternative is private instruction - a bit more flexible if we fancy a lie in or if we want to ski in a different area.

In my experience with group lessons we had to state our level ourselves but there was a ski off on the first day to make sure there was not a big difference in ability. Check if the ski school you choose have a reference table to determine the level because the chosen slope for a ski off will depend on this. Level 5 (out of 7) was on narrow quite steep black and one person refused to ski it and was waiting for us on the top. There was no room in lower level groups because it was Christmas week few years back, so she stayed with us and got up to ski this black on the 3rd day. If you go during busy week it might be better to book in advance too.

It is along time ago that I experienced group lessons, I remember a ski off down a slope and was then sorted into a group, and then moved up or down during the first couple of lessons if they had under/over graded you.
I have no idea if this still continues today, it does not happen in Little W's lessons as I suppose she has evidence of her level.

You state ur grade before day 1, if you feel that you are not benefiting you can be moved to another class provided there is space.
I have also seen groups be split in two when half excel.

More importantly wtf is a 'lie in'? jeez

For the past three years, I've had to experience a 'ski-off', as it has been called. Ski down a slope (short) and they point to which group one stands with. This year I (a fourth-year skier) got put with 7 to 10 year skiers, and it was quite taxing for a man of my age. On the second day, I asked to be put with a slightly slower group, and they could not come up with one, so I had to stay with the original group. I pulled out of the third day, as my right knee was really giving me grief.

Think most places give a short grading at beginning of the week, can be a bit embarrassing if you don't like that sort of thing but everybody is in the same boat, private lessons can move you on faster but can be expensive, group lessons also a great way to socialise, lie in??? Your not on holiday!! It's skiing!!!

I would thoroughly recommend looking into private lessons. Far more efficient way of learning. No group grading problems, lessons develop you at your pace, no pressure and no being left behind. Less waiting at lifts for a fallen class mate.

My wife had 2x one-to-one early afternoons this year. Strong evidence that she learnt more in those 2 than had she had 5 morning group lessons.

But there again I had to sacrifice my skiing time to be with her the rest of the time :? I should have been made a saint after that.

(I think the cost worked-out to the same either way.)

smartski wrote:I would thoroughly recommend looking into private lessons. Far more efficient way of learning. No group grading problems, lessons develop you at your pace, no pressure and no being left behind. Less waiting at lifts for a fallen class mate.

My wife had 2x one-to-one early afternoons this year. Strong evidence that she learnt more in those 2 than had she had 5 morning group lessons.

But there again I had to sacrifice my skiing time to be with her the rest of the time :? I should have been made a saint after that.

(I think the cost worked-out to the same either way.)

There can be grading problem as instructors also have grades. I was asked when booking privates both in Chamonix and Verbier about the level, I think it helps them determine which available instructor will be suitable. Also with some schools as you move up price can increase, but you will be getting off-piste cover with it.
I found that what works best depends on where you are with your skiing and what you are trying to get out of it. Doing various drills is generally more fun in a group.