Group ski lessons vs. private ski lessons
One of my hang ups when I was learning to ski was whether to book group ski lessons or private ski lessons. The main issue I had with group ski lessons was the timing, either a 9.30am or 2pm start. The earlier, just too early for me to get over the fuzzy head, and the latter always saw me feeling lethargic post lunch.
When I’ve booked group ski lessons I’ve always in the end opted for the morning ski lessons, and 15 minutes of mountain air always clears the head. I’ve booked all my ski lessons through ESF in France (http://www.esf.net/en/index.html) and always found them to be pretty good.
Group ski lessons are especially good if you’re the only person at your level in your friends / family group. You’ll then get to go off with people of a similar level to you leaving everyone else to have their time at their own level. A pack of 6 day group ski lessons with ESF (3 hours a day) will cost around 140 euros.
On several holidays now I have booked private ski lessons, once with ESF and another with the alternative supplier in resort (A-Peak in Montgenevre, http://www.a-peak.com/en_bienvenue.htm). I have always found that I have progressed much quicker when having private ski lessons. You get to choose the routes you do, not just following the instructor and other members of your ski lesson group. This is especially useful if not like me you have a strange fear of cable cars and much prefer the open air lifts! It’s your choice. Or particularly useful for nervous skiiers that just want to go at their own pace without feeling the pressure to keep up or go down harder runs.
Plus if you’re a fast improver then you’ll find you move on a lot quicker in private ski lessons, and there’s a lot less hanging around waiting for others. Private ski lessons come at a price tag for one at around 70 euros for 2 hours. But the more friends / family you can get into a group the more reasonable it becomes. For example 3 people for 2 hours can cost around 25 euros each, not far off the group ski lessons prices.
I think there are benefits to both types of lessons, but it really depends on your level and the group you are skiing with.
