Thinking of taking a ski lesson?
Here’s our guide to help you prepare for your ski or snowboard lesson.
If you want to make the most of your ski vacation you should take a lesson on your first day. In your lesson you will learn how to use your equipment, how to control your speed but most importantly you’ll be given the skills to stay balanced on your skis.
Falling over sucks. You can get hurt, you can get cold and wet, and you will get tired. Think about doing squats at 12,000 ft. And doing them over and over again. This is what it’s like when you fall. Lessons help to reduce the amount of times you fall, and give you the correct method to get up. That way you’ll have less tired legs the next day. Take a lesson on your first day skiing. You’ll enjoy your vacation much more!
Make a Reservation
Many ski and snowboard schools offer a variety of options for kids and adults lessons, including group and private lessons. To guarantee you a spot in a lesson we always recommend making reservations with the resort for either group or private lessons before you arrive for your day on the mountain.
Confirm what's included
When making a reservation for your lesson, make sure to ask the school what the lesson does and doesn’t include. For example, does the lesson that you’re booking include the lift ticket, equipment rental, and lunch? Does booking ahead of time or reserving multiple days of lessons offer any discounts to you? Are helmets required? Is the lesson half day or full day? Be aware that lines in the morning to check-in for ski and ride school can be very long depending on the resort and time of year. Make sure you ask how early to arrive, so you have enough time to check-in, pick up your equipment rental (if needed), and arrive at your lesson meeting spot on time.
Group Lesson vs. private lesson
Consider the many factors when deciding whether to book group or private lessons for yourself or your family. Every resort and mountain differ in what kind of group and private lessons they offer, but generally, the major differences between the two types of lessons are cost, class size, and length of lesson.
Private lessons
By booking an instructor for a private lesson, the student will receive instruction geared toward their specific ability level and what they desire to get out of the lesson. Keep in mind that if you book a private lesson for multiple friends or family members of different ages and ability levels, the lesson will be geared toward the youngest and/or lowest ability level. If you’re booking private lessons for multiple people of different ages and ability levels, you will want to consider booking more than one private lesson instructor so everyone can get the most out of their lesson.
Lift tickets / passes
Resorts require that skiers and snowboarders have a lift ticket or pass to access the mountain and lifts (and magic carpets). Some resorts allow young children under a certain age to ski for free, meaning they get a lift ticket or pass at no cost. Even though they ski for free, they’ll most likely still need to physically have a lift ticket or pass on to access the lifts/mountain, so be sure to check with the specific resort you’re visiting. Just like lessons, we recommend booking your lift tickets or passes in advance. Check with the specific resort you’re visiting to see if booking tickets/passes in advance is an option. If so, inquire if booking in advance and/or booking multiple days of lift tickets offers any discounts to you?
equipment rentals
Look out for our upcoming blog post about rental gear, and how best to choose it! Learn more about gear!
clothing and gear
Make sure you have proper clothing and gear for your day on the mountain. The most important thing to remember is dressing for the climate you’ll be in, and don’t forget that layering will be your best friend. Layering means a base layer, mid layer, and outer layer. Layering is the best way to stay warm, dry, and comfortable for the ever-changing weather conditions. Remember, it’s easy to add or take layers off. Here are the basics for dressing for a day of skiing or snowboarding:
– Moisture-wicking long underwear or base layers (not cotton)
– Wool or fleece top
– Ski or snowboard jacket
– Ski or snowboard pants or bibs
– Waterproof and insulated gloves or mittens
– Helmet (have a beanie or warm hat on hand for when you’re not wearing your helmet)
– Goggles
– Neck gaiter or balaclava
– Proper winter footwear for walking around when not in ski or snowboard boots
* Don’t forget the sunscreen (even on an overcast or cloud day)!
* Consider purchasing handwarmers and footwarmers for your hands and feet!
helmets
Every resort and ski and ride school have different rules regarding helmets. Even if a helmet isn’t required or mandatory, we highly recommend wearing one. Look for a ski or snowboard specific helmet to protect your head. If you don’t feel like purchasing one right away; many resorts and rental shops rent them.
Weather & Altitude
Depending on which resort or part of the world you are visiting, the weather and climate can be quite variable. Remember to wear the appropriate clothing and footwear. When visiting a ski resort, be aware that you may be visiting a location that is at a much higher altitude than what you may be used to. Going up in altitude can mean lower oxygen levels and the potential to catch altitude sickness. If you are worried about altitude sickness or how to acclimate yourself to the altitude, please consult a medical professional for advice and recommendations.
tipping your instructor
It is not a requirement to tip your instructor; however, it is very appreciated by the instructor. A typical tip is 15-20% of the cost of the lesson.
