How to Plan and Enjoy Your First Ski Lesson

Introduction

Skiing can be a technical sport. Technical, but not intimidating. All I mean by technical is that you’ll likely benefit from some training and education from others when you’re getting started. Not that I don’t believe in you, but this is something difficult to learn from simply reading a book. That’s where instructors come in. You’ll find them at all ski resorts throughout the world, with different skills and abilities.

In this article, we'll walk you through the steps of planning and enjoying your first ski lesson, from booking to selecting an instructor, from choosing between private and shared lessons, from picking whether to learn at a destination or a local resort, and share an overview of how your first lesson will be structured. We'll also share some tips and tricks to help you avoid common mistakes, save money, and have a good time.

How to book your first ski lesson

Book it in advance. I’ll repeat it again – book in advance. Like most things in 2024 skiing, being able to plan will give you better options. Booking ahead will ensure that you get: your preferred day, the right instructor, and the best price (although this advantage is much lower compared to lift tickets). Most lessons can be booked in advance online through the resort’s website or by giving them a call. Here are some things to consider when booking your ski lesson:

• Decide when you want to take your ski lesson. The best time to take your ski lesson is in the morning, when the slopes are less crowded, the snow is fresh, and you have more energy. Weekends and holidays are always busier, so options will be more limited. Fortunately, beginner terrain is often first to open each season, so if you are looking to maximize your season as a beginner, you could be looking to start as soon as the slopes open.
• Sometimes, things happen that prevent you from taking your ski lesson as planned, such as illness, injury, travel delays, or bad weather. You want to make sure that you can cancel or reschedule your ski lesson without losing your money or paying extra fees. Some ski resorts offer flexible cancellation and rescheduling policies, while others have strict rules and penalties. The resort’s website will state the official policy, and it never hurts to call and ask if something comes up.
• Check the weather and snow conditions for your desired day. This is tough to do if you’re booking months in advance, but some resorts may let you change the day as you get closer, assuming there is availability. Ideally, you’re looking for days that are sunny, mild, and with light winds.

Once you’re ready to book, there are 3 main ways to book a lesson:

1. Check the resort’s website. Most resorts have live daily availability for lessons (both private and group), allowing you to book alongside purchasing a lift ticket, rentals, etc.
2. Call the resort directly. This might be your only offer at smaller resorts and can be a good option especially if you want to ask for an instructor recommendation based on your ability level and goals.
3. Book directly with an instructor. Most major resorts have this option, especially if it isn’t your first lesson or you have a referral from friends and family. If you’re going this route, I’m going to assume you know how to contact the instructor and get it done.

How to select your ski instructor

The next step is to select your instructor. It will be tough to pick the best one for you with confidence, especially if you are a beginner. Also, some resorts will only allow you to indicate your ability and goals and will match you with the instructor. Other resorts will allow you to book directly with the instructor to guarantee their availability.

Especially if you are new to the sport, recommendations from friends and family will be the best thing that you can go off. Otherwise, the best bet is to speak with the resort via phone and discuss with them your skill level, desired goals for the lesson, and personality fit. The resort will likely be able to help match you to the best one. This more likely to work at destination resorts (e.g., Aspen Snowmass, Jackson Hole, Big Sky, Whistler Blackcomb) vs. local hills.

How to choose between private and shared ski lessons

The third step to taking your first ski lesson is to choose between private and shared ski lessons. Private ski lessons are one-on-one sessions with a ski instructor, while shared ski lessons are group sessions with a ski instructor and other skiers. Both types of ski lessons have their pros and cons, depending on your goals, preferences, and budget.

Here are some things to consider when choosing between private and shared ski lessons:

• ‍Private ski lessons are more personalized, flexible, and focused. You make the choices about your needs, goals, and pace. You also get more attention, feedback, and guidance from your ski instructor compared to a group lesson. You will of course pay more for a private lesson. You also miss out on the opportunity to meet, interact, and learn from other skiers, which may be important for some.‍
• Shared ski lessons are more affordable and social. They can be a great option for beginners, especially if you aren’t sure that you want to commit to a full private lesson (and its cost) up front. However, shared ski lessons are also less customized, less flexible, and less focused. You will follow a predetermined lesson plan, schedule, and be more terrain limited in your lesson. You also get less attention, feedback, and guidance from your ski instructor as they are providing everyone with guidance during the lesson.

Basically, if you are a first timer or on a budget, we recommend a shared lesson. If you are more advanced or are willing to spend more, then look at private. Last, it is important to consider where the lessons will fall during your trip. As with training in most other areas of life, you’ll see faster gains if you take more continuous days of lessons vs. just a single day late in the trip. Actually, taking a lesson on the last day is probably the worst idea to do.

How to choose between a destination and a local ski resort

When you’re just learning to ski, it is important to choose whether your initial lessons will be local or at a destination resort (e.g., the Rockies, Tahoe, or Northeast for those in North America). The decision comes down to your overall goals and vacation plans, mostly:

• ‍Destination ski resorts usually have higher caliber instructors. Emphasis on usually. Some of this comes from the wider variety of terrain they have access to, which allows the to grow and push your abilities sooner. Because of the higher caliber, you’ll also pay more for the lesson itself, and that’s on top of the other costs to your trip (e.g., airfare, hotel, food, lift tickets, etc.)‍
• Local ski resorts are more convenient, familiar, and accessible. Some instructors are truly great, although your mileage will vary more here. This is a great option for your truly first time on skis, or as a place to test out whether you like the sport. It will also help you stretch your budget a bit as one day of a private lesson at a destination resort can easily cover 3 or more days at a local hill!

Generally, our recommendation would be to test out the sport on a local hill. However, once you start getting serious about wanting to ski more, it makes more sense to get out to a destination resort and make the investment that will rapidly improve your technique and help you enjoy the rest of your season!

How your first ski lesson will be structured

You finally made it! It’s time for your lesson. After you check in and meet up with your instructor, your lesson will largely be composed of 3 pieces:

1. ‍Intro and warm-up: Get to know your instructor, discuss your goals for the lesson, and talk through the plan for areas of the mountain to ski. You’ll also take a few quick laps for your instructor to observe your technique and skills, while planning out the rest of the lesson. You’ll also find out about one of the best perks of booking a lesson, where you get to jump to the front of the lift line on each lap!‍
2. Core instruction: This will be highly customized for everyone. But in general, your instructor will point out ways to improve your ability and develop the specific skills to advance to the next level of skiing. You’ll also move to an area of the mountain with a few runs that will help you learn the skills and get some repetition. ‍
3. Wrap-up (usually your last run): Your instructor will summarize the key things you worked on during the lesson, and what to focus on for the rest of your ski day. Your instructor will then ski back down with you, and you’ll end up back at the base area where you say goodbye!

Depending on how well the lesson went, you may tip your instructor, but it is certainly not required.

What to do after your first lesson

After your first ski lesson, you may be wondering what to do next. How can you continue to learn and improve your skiing skills and abilities? How can you explore more of the mountain and the terrain? How can you have more fun and excitement on the snow?

There are several options for you to choose from, depending on your goals, preferences, budget, and availability. Here are some of the most common and popular ways to advance your skiing after your first lesson:

• Lesson packs: If you want to save money and commit to a series of lessons, you can buy a lesson pack from your ski resort or ski school. A lesson pack usually consists of three to six lessons, which you can schedule at your convenience. You will also be able to join a group of skiers with similar skill levels and learning styles, and benefit from the consistent instruction and feedback of the same ski instructor. A lesson pack is a great way to progress you’re skiing in a structured and affordable way.
• Camps / Structured Programs: If you want to immerse yourself in an intensive and comprehensive ski program, this is for you. An in-depth camp usually lasts for a week or more, and involves daily ski lessons, coaching, and activities. You will also be able to stay at a ski lodge or hotel and enjoy the amenities and services of the ski resort. You will also meet and socialize with other skiers who share your passion and enthusiasm for skiing. An in-depth camp is a great way to transform your skiing in a short period of time.
• Additional single lessons: If you want to have more flexibility and personalization, you can book additional single lessons whenever you need or want them. You can either join a group lesson or request a private lesson, depending on your preference. You can also choose the duration, time, and topic of your lesson, and work on specific skills or areas that you want to improve. You can also switch to different ski instructors and get different perspectives and tips from them. An additional single lesson is a great way to customize your ski learning experience.
• Self-guided: If you want to have more independence and autonomy, you can practice skiing on your own, without the guidance of a ski instructor. You can use various tools and resources to help you learn and improve your skiing, such as online videos, books, magazines, podcasts, blogs, and apps. One of the most innovative and effective apps for self-guided skiing is Carv, which is a digital ski coach that analyzes your skiing and gives you real-time feedback and advice through your headphones. You can also set goals, track your progress, and challenge yourself with various drills and games. Self-guided skiing is a great way to have more fun and freedom on the slopes.

Most likely you’ll spend some time solo practicing what you learned until you get stuck on learning the next skill. The most important thing is to keep skiing, keep learning, and keep enjoying this amazing sport.

Conclusion

Taking your first ski lesson is a low-risk way to rapidly improve your skiing ability. You’ll also have access to insider resort knowledge, so some of our more advanced readers can use lessons to also learn about the best spots on a new mountain.

So, what are you waiting for? Book your first ski lesson today and get ready to have the time of your life on the slopes.