Private or group??

Hi there to all new to this forum so hope we have got our dilemma in the correct place!!

Need some advice about lessons and hoping somebody out there has the answers

We cannot decide whether to book private lessons or group lessons. We are going away during Christmas week as a couple but both ski at slightly different levels.

Although we consider ourselves to be lower intermediate skiers, the other half tends to ski parallel more confidently and more consistently. We want the social side of group lessons but don't want to be put into separate groups. However private lessons are more expensive and less sociable yet they can be tailored more to our individual needs.


As you can see we have little time to make our decision and are racking our brains about what we should do.

Any ideas?

P.S. Anyone else in Andorra at the same time, roughly the same level and fancies joining up for private lessons??

I'd go private - groups are great for getting you started but once your hitting intermediate i think they can tailor things far better to you in a private lesson - take shorter lessons but learn a hell of a lot more 1 on 1 (or 2 on 1).

Plenty of time of time to socialise and make friends on the apres ski.

Anyway, that's my take on it.

Have a great time whatever you do!

Dave

P.S. If your Ski Club Uk members and in a resort where they have a rep then get along there - it's a great way to get the social aspect of group lessons for no extra cost and get the inside track on a resort.

I know people, particularly adults, find it hard to go into groups of people they don't know and worry about the standard of other people in the group and then prefer more individual coaching. I think if you really want to learn something though you need to take the plunge and get into a group situation.

The pay-back for taking that plunge is pretty good. In a group situation you've got other people to learn from. Generally people will be making the same mistakes as you and there's a reassurance that you're not the only one finding something difficult. There's actually a benefit from getting small pauses while another member of the group makes an exercise, you get to observe someone else other than a polished instructor and get a chance for a short reflection on what's being taught.

And of course like many things, the more you get involved the more you're going to get out of it, it is fun once you've taken the plunge, you're meeting people who obviously have the same interest as you, there's a social element after the class laughing about the day with new friends over a drink.

If you need one hour for something really specific 1:1 might be interesting but it's often a fallacy that you need it, mostly we construct reasons around a reluctance to put ourselves into the that group situation. By and large you'd find that most professional outdoor training takes place in groups as it's the best learning environment although obviously the networking is a big deal with that.

When I started 3 seasons ago, I had group lessons to learn as a beginner. Great fun, everyone in the same boat and all making the same mistakes. Last year, we had a group booking and found that we had advanced quicker than the rest of the group. This lead to a lot of standing around on the hill waiting for those who relied on more attentive instruction to get them down the hill.
For this season we've booked private. Cost wise, for 3 private mornings we're paying the same as we would for 5 group days. Is it worth it? I don't know to be honest. With Swiss Ski School, group lessons were full days so we found we didn't have any time for our own skiing and exploring. Also, you're paying for time the instructor is spending having his/her lunch break.
By going private we get instruction in the morning and then we can use the afternoon to consolidate and explore.

Lots of swings and roundabouts and the decision has to be yours based on what your priorities are. If the social aspect of group learning rates highly then go for that. If like us you want to gain from more personal instruction that is tailored specifically for your skill level then go for the private.

There'll be many diffeent opinions on this one. I asked the same question a few months back.

Whichever you choose, enjoy and make the very best of it.

I would suggest private. This will ensure that you can stay together, and also that you both get the instruction that you need as opposed to the class schedule for that week.
If you book an hour or 2 each day, you can then use the free time to practise and get to see more of your resort.
If you take private tuition, you will always be close to your teacher, with group teaching there is always the chance that you will be at the back, keeping up with a procession and unable to see what the teacher is demonstrating.

Follow ise's advice and go group

This is an interesting debate, and obviously one which people will have differing opinions on. Me, if I was having lessons now I'd go private. If I were starting out as a newbie, I'd go into a group initially.

I did not get on with group lessons at all. The age differences in which classes I was put in just did not work for me. Alright we were all complete novices but when you are in a group of 20 year old lads and you are a 50 year old woman the rates at which you learn are different. I would have ended up killing myself trying to keep up with them.
So its private for me I am afraid.