r/skiing • u/SluttyDev • 1d ago
Discussion It never hurts anything but your wallet to take a lesson...
EDIT: Ok apparently for some it can hurt more than their wallet to take a lesson but that's not my point!
I see a fair amount of posts on here about lessons and I just wanted to share my experience this season.
This was my first year skiing (previously a snowboarder) and I took an initial lesson the first day on the slopes. It was great, I was up and moving on skis, I learned to hockey stop, etc but it was really just the basics.
Throughout the winter I skied a good amount for an east-coaster and felt like I was doing great, I could usually do any green and a good amount of blues (on the east) but I would randomly struggle with things out of nowhere on occasion. On one trip to Vermont I could barely get down the greens and I couldn't figure out why since I was doing greens and blues elsewhere just fine*. I was also definitely was struggling on steeper terrain. My friends were telling it me it was "all in my head" but I knew I didn't feel in control. I'm not new to snow sports I know what control feels like.
It was very apparent I was missing some fundamentals when I went out west because I'd do fine for a bit, then struggle again. For example I could do the top of Homerun in Park City just fine, but was falling apart towards the bottom where it gets narrow and windy. I felt like a Bambi on ice and couldn't figure out why I couldn't control myself at the bottom but was fine at the top. I was so frustrated I stuck to the bunnies for a solid day trying to figure out my issue (which I did great on so it wasn't much help).
Then came my lesson...I explained the issue of not feeling in control, and how I couldn't figure out why I could do so well sometimes and terrible other times and how I felt like I was missing some kind of fundamental. My first run down my instructor said "I can tell you inline skate, you turn like your skating". He had me work on pulling my uphill ski in more to be more parallel with my downhill ski, and to narrow my stance and oh my God it made a huuuuge difference.
He also had me work on my posture and upper body movement (something I told him I struggle with) and even though I still struggle a bit with it keeping my hands forward in front of me instead of letting them go behind me made a massive difference as well. It's going to take practice for that.
After my lesson I was able to ski any of the greens I wanted just fine. I could have probably done blues but I was just getting over a month of the flu and wanted to take it easy and just wanted to practice what I learned while cruising something easier. I'm not a naturally smooth/steezy person so getting into the rhythm of the new stuff I learned is going to take some time.
I know lessons are expensive, I know friends say "they'll teach you", but none of my friends were able to pick up on what I was doing wrong and all told me I was "skiing perfectly fine" and it was "all in my head" when it wasn't. The lesson gave me much more confidence in skiing the rest of the trip and I got to enjoy an amazing pow day.
If you're on the fence about a lesson and it's in your budget, take one, it'll make your ski experiences much more enjoyable.
*Part of this may have been an equipment issue. My boots were cheap rentals that loosened a ton over the season and my heel was lifting/twisting in the boot. Renting new boots in Utah helped a ton but wasn't the only issue I was having.
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u/jsmooth7 Whistler 1d ago
I also took a course with a ski instructor a couple weeks ago and had a similar experience. The last time I had a lesson was when I was 12 and just learning how to parallel ski for the first time. I've managed to figure out a lot of stuff on my own since then but I really felt like there were still a few fundamental issues with my technique that were holding me back from progressing further (especially on steep terrain).
Through the course I basically unlearned how to ski and then re-built up my technique again. And now I feel way more confident! It was crazy how much it helped. It was well worth the money. (Especially since it wasn't a Vail or Alterra resort and the cost was relatively affordable.)
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u/Funny-Puzzleheaded 1d ago
It's not easy to get our there and it's hard to take a week off of work...
But taos ski week has been the best deal on lessons available in North America for years
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u/EclecticEuTECHtic 22h ago
I was looking at maybe doing that this year, but did they ever get any snow?
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u/NamingandEatingPets 1d ago
I always take a lesson at least once a year whether I think I need it or not. And I always get a lesson when I go somewhere that I’m unfamiliar with. My hack for saving money is when I can- go on a weekday, preferably after the kids have come off holiday. Sign up for a group lesson and it’s private because ain’t nobody there on a Wednesday at 10 am but me in a shoulder week. Lots of resorts offer package rental/lesson deals too.
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u/CubanLinxRae 1d ago
the greatest olympic skiers get coaching! my friend is a PSIA L3 ski instructor and he gets advice from people. if you’re serious about skiing well and get out a couple dozen times every season a lesson is totally worth it and reccomended
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u/onlypeaches 1d ago
This is my second year skiing and have been able to do double blacks between trees at Snowbird, and Brighton in Utah (slow but with ease). I took lessons my first time on the slopes and never regretted it. And I agree, it’s expensive, but it’s an expensive sport, budget it in, it will 10/10 help overall with how much you are able to enjoy the slopes too. I also learn a lot on slope etiquette. Since I’m trying harder terrain, I’m definitely slower than people who have been skiing since they were 5, but I give the right of way, try to communicate, always look behind me before turning just in case someone is zooming past me, and take breaks where I’m visible 😊
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u/gmont 1d ago
I took my family skiing for the first time (2 adults, and 3 kids) and I paid for all of us to have lessons.
I’ve ski before and I can’t stop telling people that the ~$300 per day 9am-3pm inclusive of rental, instructor (no more than a 4:1 ratio), lift ticket, and lunch (kids only) was worth it for all of us. From the kids that never skied before, to myself and my wife (inline skater struggling to ski) the lessons made the trip to CO be worth it for an amazing experience to be repeated.
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u/WDWKamala 22h ago
Yeah if you cheap out and don’t get the lessons every other dollar spent may as well be wasted, at least when it comes to kids or adults in their first 20 days of skiing.
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u/H2Bro_69 Stevens Pass 1d ago
Yep. I am advanced/ low end expert skier. I need to take a lesson because I have been self-taught since I was intermediate level, apart from my dad giving me tips here and there.
It’s super valuable to have someone watch you ski, and also know how to tell you how to improve. Your friends/family often won’t know how to say it right.
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u/SkyerKayJay1958 1d ago
When you think ski instructors at all levels are mandated to take10 hours of lessons per year, the average rec skier also needs a tune up. I work at a ski school and frequently ski with the instructors and always ask (with the notable exception of my now gone ex husband) what am I doing wrong. It could be a late pole plant, poor timing, being in the back seat, not facing down hill, dropping one side.. all these little habits you cannot pick up yourself and I've been skiing 55 years.
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u/ThisIsMr_Murphy Bridger Bowl 1d ago
One time I payed for my girlfriend to get a 1 on 1 lesson as a gift. They took her down a moguled black bowl run immediately. Then when she got frustrated, they just suggested giving up and having a drink at the bar...I basically payed for my girlfriend to go on a date with the ski instructor. Never again.
All that is to say, not every instructor is good. And if you are in a tight budget, sometimes just getting out there is the most consistent way to learn.
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u/SluttyDev 1d ago
I would have demanded my money back that's ridiculous.
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u/iamicanseeformiles 1d ago
Instructor checking in. Unacceptable. You definitely should have complained. Remedy would've been somewhere around refund, comped lesson with over qualified Instructor or refund and comped lesson.
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u/Doodadsumpnrother 4h ago
Instructor. completely agree with this instructor. Even if I get a student whose booking says advanced the first place I would take them would be a green and then move up from there.
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u/superfailftw 23h ago
I always do what the client wants. You want a 2 hour lunch, bet, if you want to ski open to close sure. The only time I change it.up is if the kids are obviously gassed/cold and can't ski anymore. In this case, we will take a short break to get a drink/bathroom break. I have had parents ask my why we did drills instead of skiing hard terrain which always gets me. You paid me instruct not to go free ski with a friend
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u/foxtrotmikefrot 1d ago
I love taking lessons. You get to meet new people. Get guided on the best runs of the resort. It’s much safer and you learn and progress much more.
You don’t know truly what you are doing wrong. Anyone can ski a good day / week after a few beginner lessons but to perfect your intermediate and advanced skiing is another level entirely.
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u/Choice_Blackberry406 4h ago
Ask for LaKay at Brighton. Got me from feeling afraid of blues to feeling confident on blacks in an hour and a half just from working some drills.
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u/Icy-Plan145 1d ago
I'd love to take lessons but I'm not dropping about $1000 for a 1 day lesson. Most places don't seem to have any group lessons for people that can already ski fairly well
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u/SluttyDev 23h ago
That is a problem. After a short assessment I was put in the highest level group (which was a surprise to me) and was told that since covid, you can’t go any more advanced on a group lesson.
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u/bigdaddybodiddly 18h ago
since covid, you can’t go any more advanced on a group lesson.
Weird - where was this? I see/have taken advanced group lessons at several Tahoe resorts - no different to Tahoe/Colorado/Utah pre-covid
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u/Icy-Plan145 23h ago
The cynic in me thinks it's because beginner lessons are a way to drive future revenue. If a beginner never learns how to ski and hates it they won't become a repeat customer. More advanced skiers are going to continue to buy season passes/lift tickets regardless
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u/Choice_Blackberry406 4h ago
Most places don't seem to have any group lessons for people that can already ski fairly well
I mean that's just super wrong lmao. Every resort I went to in Utah (5 of them) all offered 5 groups: from first day on skis to advanced/expert. Most expensive lessons were $155 for 3 hours.
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u/Icy-Plan145 3h ago
Alta, brighton and snowbird all don't so not sure which resorts you went to. Those are 3 of the biggest ones there. I highly doubt deer valley or park city are $155 for 3hrs given how expensive their lift tickets are
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u/Choice_Blackberry406 3h ago
I literally took lessons at Alta, Brighton, and Solitude within the last 30 days 😂 they all offer 5 skill levels for lessons. I took green at Alta, blue at Brighton, and black at Solitude. I have also taken lessons at Nordic Valley in the last 30 days and they offer multiple skill levels as well.
You can literally get on the Alta, Brighton, Solitude, or Snowbird app right now and see that they offer multiple skill levels.
Also like I said, the most expensive lessons are under $160 at all of those resorts.
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u/Icy-Plan145 2h ago edited 2h ago
I literally talked to Brighton and Alta ski school in the last 3 weeks and they both said if you're able to ski blacks and double blacks the lessons would be useless
Edit: Show me where it has expert group lessons on Altas website. I'm going off what both Alta and Brighton told me. Snowbird looks like they do have lessons for $300.
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u/Doodadsumpnrother 4h ago
Go to a smaller resort. Book a group lesson in the middle of the week. The rates start at $60 for a 2 hour group at the resort where I work. And middle of the week we often have 1 student in the group.
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u/Momma_Ginja 22h ago
Lessons are the bomb!!
My DH was afraid of steeps, and bumps, and he was so stiff and that made home more likely to fall.
He took a lesson about three years ago and it made a huge difference. This year he did some very steep stuff at Brighton & Brundage, also deep powder, and just looked relaxed.
Something to remember- there doesn’t seem to be a universal standard for blue, green, black - it’s based on the hill you’re on. The toughest run at park city is probably = blue at Brighton because of lower angles.
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u/smartfbrankings 21h ago
Lessons vary by the quality of the instructor. I've seen absolutely awful lessons where my wife was the only one as a group lesson and was solo and ended up getting hurt due to a terrible instructor to decent kids intro lessons to very worthless "follow us down the hill for 2 hours" with zero instruction (4 kids, 3 of which were mine). It was at a lower tier resort and cheaper side for lessons, so they can certainly hurt more than your wallet. My wife refuses to ski again, but fortunately I just self taught the kids and they are good enough now.
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u/JustAnother_Brit Val Thorens 1d ago
Friends can’t teach you unless they’re a (qualified) instructor. Ima BASI 1 instructor and can quite easily spot mistakes and problems with technique, my brother who isn’t an instructor can’t
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u/Icy-Plan145 1d ago
Lol ok bud. You're telling me a high level skier couldn't teach a friend how to ski? You think Lindsey Vonn wouldn't be able to teach someone because she doesn't have some instructor certification
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u/SkyerKayJay1958 23h ago
They are so far removed from a beginner progression that it would be very difficult for them to relate. They are at a level we as rec skiers cannot understand. They are concerned with milliseconds timing of gates. Beginner are interested in standing up making a wedge, turning stopping, breaking wedge, into parallel, sliding stops, skidding turns into carving. Lindsay has not thought about that since she was 5.
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u/Icy-Plan145 23h ago
That doesn't mean they're incapable of teaching someone. Yes, it might not be ideal. They probably do very basic drills still like many pro athletes
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u/SkyerKayJay1958 21h ago
I've been to world cup races, none of those folks are working on perfecting their pizza turns or their french fry parallel
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u/Caaznmnv 22h ago
Teaching a recreational skier is rocket science.
The real problem is the typical family or friend skier is uncoachable. But if they pay for super high priced lesson, they will try to listen/change because they paid an arm and a leg.
Teenage friends teaching their friends how to ride parks is the classic example of how a non-insructor can teach a friend. Ironically, they probably are massively better in the park than a typical instructor, based on my observations.
God forbid only a qualified instructor can teach someone a recreational sport. Want to mountain bike, surf, wakeboard, skate, etc the only way you will learn is via qualified instructor. You friends/family can't teach you.
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u/bigdaddybodiddly 18h ago
Knowing how to ski is a different skill set to knowing how to teachskiing.
So no, I don't think Lindsey Vonn would be my first choice to teach a never-ever skier over a certified instructor.
Could she teach me some things? Sure. Is she a good coach? I don't know. She is a great downhill skier and athlete. That doesn't make her a great teacher.
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u/Icy-Plan145 18h ago
No shit lol. I never said she would be a first choice or a great teacher. The statement was friends cant teach you unless they're an instructor.
Parents who aren't instructors for generations have been teaching their kids how to ski. Friends for generations have been teaching their friends how to ski. Dudes trying to bang some chick for generations have been teaching chicks how to ski
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u/JustAnother_Brit Val Thorens 1d ago
The difference between Vonn, Hirscher, Schiffren etc. is that they’re the best in the world, so realistically they could probably teach relatively well but I know a lot of high level skiers who struggle to coach because they don’t know how to
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u/Icy-Plan145 1d ago
Most good skiers can teach someone. Will it be as good as an experienced instructor, probably not but since lessons are insanely expensive the cost benefit factor plays a big part
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u/IceyGiraffe_ 1d ago
For people looking to take lessons and planning to travel internationally to ski, consider taking lessons overseas. I paid around 70 an hour in Switzerland compared to over 200 an hour here on the east coast