 Poster: A snowHead
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So we are going to La Plagne this Christmas and I was planning to take my 8 yr old and 4 yr old sons to Hemel to get back into ski spirit. Lessons are not cheap ( especially as I can only take them on Sundays) so I am thinking would it be better to do 2-3 group ones or one private for each of the boys? We are going to Clubmed so there will be huge ESF groups, so the aim is to prepare and ease them into it. In terms of level 8 yr old is around ESF 1st star and 4 yr old done some playing on skies in ski nursery and skied between my legs but hasn’t managed a snowplough just yet.. I am also thinking of getting them a private lesson once we get to La Plagne.. but for Hemel lessons - group or private?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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My vote would go for groups unless there is something you specifically need / want working on for your children.
Though have no experience of lessons at Hemel, as our local slope is Snowtrax. We have in past done several group lessons ahead of a holiday to get their ski legs back / before there first time to get them introduced.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I'd also say go for the Group lessons.
Private lessons are good for making rapid progress with intensive, focused sessions and are great for developing good technique. (And a good instructor can make it fun as well).
Group lessons tend to have less of a focus on rapid progress (even if just because there will be a mix of abilities and the instructors focus will be spread across all the participants) but are great for getting back into it and building confidence. They're far less intensive and often work well for youngsters as there's more time to listen, watch and learn from everyone else in the group. There's also the benefit of a bit of peer pressure going on. i.e. 'If he can do, so can I'
So if the aim is mainly to get their ski legs working again, let them have some fun on skis and give them a bit of preparation for the trip then a few group lessons would be my choice.
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@Bella2015, we put our kids in group holiday lessons at Hemel a couple of years ago, they avoided beginner groups as they had taster sessions beforehand. Before booking I was checking to see how many other kids were booked onto the lessons, they should tell you on the phone, in the end one daughter was with one other kid and my youngest had the instructor to herself, so effectively private lessons for the cost of group sessions. This worked on two occasions, then we paid for a private lesson for both of them together last December. It all depends if you can wait and take a chance.
Would recommend Hemel either way!!!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I would also vote for group lessons unless there are specific reasons where that format wouldn't work well for your children. I think that the age difference between them will mean they'll both make better progress with children their own age than in together in a private lesson. Does the 4 year old already go to school or some other similar setting where they are used to working in a group/class? If so then the group lessons at Hemel should be no trouble for them. At that age they are in very small groups.
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Another vote for group lessons. It'll be a better dynamic as the 8 year old with more experience will be challenged, and as a 1st star ESF will want to prove what they can do. While the 4 year old will get stuff that focusses on control, not speed. Sounds like a lovely Xmas holiday lined up. We always ski at Xmas and the kids love it.
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Thanks for all advices..looks like the vote is for the group lesson. I think I will go with it.
@kieranm, the 4 year old has started school but is a bit developmentally young for his age, but should cope.
@NickyJ, my older son likes being in a group but has adhd, so may have behavioral issues with following instructions etc..so esf instructors are keen to offload him by moving him to lower level.. which is what happened last year.. private lesson would probably be good for him from this perspective but he will get bored quickly without the social element plus my budget won’t stretch to cover too many privates... so will just have to hope he will cope with the group setting.
@terrygasson, did you go to midweek or weekend lessons..I think the weekend ones tend to be pretty full especially before school holidays as many parents book their kids for preholiday lessons
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@Bella2015, my daughter is Autistic and dyspraxic. We found group lessons not working with her
and switched to private at Snowtrax, which if timed right are very cost effective.
I presume you live close to Hemel?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Yes, we are in north London so a lot closer to hemel.. the thing with my son that he is does usually do ok with groups but needs an instructor who is willing to make some allowances for his impulsivity and/or day dreaming and this is just down to luck in terms of who we get...
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@Bella2015, my thinking was you may find cheaper private lessons on a dry ski slope but don’t know that area very well. Children’s private lessons can be as low as £27.50 at snow trac for example.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@NickyJ, this really good price! In Hemel group lessons cost £40! Don’t know if it is worth considering- as for my kids it is as important to get used to snow/cold environment again as the actual ski lesson.
Is your daughter sensitive to change of environment? And if so, do you feel that dry slope is still close enough to real thing for her?
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@Bella2015, no she isn’t sensitive to that... just noise and smells 
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@NickyJ, I see...I think I will invest in group lessons in Hemel anc hope for the best
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You know it makes sense.
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| Quote: |
the 4 year old has started school but is a bit developmentally young for his age, but should cope.
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I've had a fair bit of experience of kids learning to ski, with three of my own and 6 grand-children for whom I've fixed up lessons - private and group. Some kids seem to cope well at 4 but they don't all - and a "young" 4 year old might struggle with the discipline and persistence needed to master the snowplough - which is an essential first step. I've had 4 year olds who are quite strong, but don't listen - and others who are conscientious and try to do what they're told but struggle with the muscle control required. They're all different. Whizzing round with parents holding them up is more fun in the short term, but no substitute. Once they can control their speed on a very gentle slope it all gets infinitely more fun!
Taking your little one a couple of sessions at Hemel would enable you to judge what to do with him on holiday - you know your kid. My personal theory is that 5 is a good age to start "proper" ski lessons - the faster progress they make at that stage is so rewarding.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@pam w, thank you. He is actually going to turn 5 while on holiday, he is a boxing day baby. However he is tiny for his age and his motor skills are slow to develop so I sense muscle control may be an issue still.. he was perfectly happy to play on skies in the snowgarden and to ski with me on gentle slopes last season, but I am hoping that this year he might be finally ready to learn to ski on his own .. so you a right , a few lessons in hemel will give me some indication if this is the case
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Bella2015, the group lessons our daughters were booked on were in half term weeks, though the first one was May half term so understandably quiter, the second one was October half term. Obviously you are limited to weekends, but you have mentioned you are only available sundays, but you could give them a call and ask the current class size for upcoming sundays, you may be lucky and get a quiet Sunday!!!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Bella2015, Sometimes I can be really slow at remembering things that have been discussed here before on the forum.
You were asking the same thing here last year about lessons before going. Did you ever manage to get hold of snowmobility and how did they work out for you?
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@olderscot, you are right, this is my annual dilemma;) so last year I didn’t manage to do any lessons for my youngest at all and only one group lesson for my oldest ( which ended up being semi private as only he and friends daughter were there) but I didn’t have time to engage snowmobility . I did get in touch with them this year and I am now considering one private lesson with them vs several group lessons as the cost would be comparable ( snowmobility charge £104 per hour on Friday)
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Meant to say £104 per hour on Sunday
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@pam_w is right that there is a big difference between 4 year olds and 5 year olds, both in how strong and coordinated they are and in how able they are to listen and apply things. The 4 year old will likely still be learning through play - which sounds like exactly what you've been doing with them already - so hopefully will be able to continue that. If he didn't find the coordination easy, and it has been a while since he's been on skis, I'd suggest booking them in a level down from where they got to before as it seems like your main goal is re-familiarising them with the environment as much as learning new technique, and if he takes that in his stride he'll come away buzzing with confidence and ready to do more. As I see you said he can't snowplough yet he'd still be in the Level 1 sessions at Hemel.
When booking group lessons there is an element of chance as to the instructor (and the rest of the group) you get, so I can understand your concerns if your child has particular requirements. If booking private lessons then you are able to choose an instructor. If you make your requirements clear when booking they should be able to help find someone suitable.
As your older child is already ESF 1st Star he'll likely be on the main slope (assuming it is not a long time since he last skied, and he's happy with the lift). This makes for a slightly different dynamic to the earlier lessons with more skiing as a group and less waiting for a turn.
At Hemel there is also the option of using Snowbility, who specialise in teaching people with additional needs.
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@kieranm, thank you. Yes I am in touch with snowmobility but they are quite expensive hence considering various options
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| Bella2015 wrote: |
| Meant to say £104 per hour on Sunday |
 that’s awful. I get why it is more expensive, but it all adds up. The amount it has cost us to try and get the right support for our daughter, I find it best not to think about! Have had to change to private lessons on swimming a while back as well.
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It is worth noting that Snowbility's prices are well below the slopes own prices for private lessons for beginners. (I realise that is perhaps little comfort for those of us that are having to fork out for 1-to-1 lessons because our children can't cope in a group setting).
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@Tubaski, I think their prices are more or less on par with Hemel’s prices for trainer slope, but main slope sessions with Hemel are somewhat cheaper... any 121 is really expensive, and it makes sense and I totally appreciate why but as@NickyJ says it all does add up ( @NickyJ, I know what you mean about swimming)
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I think 1 private would be a waste.
Is there an outdoor dry slope near that may be cheaper option to get some basics?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Bella2015, personally I’d avoid dry slopes. They hurt more when you fall over.
These indoor snow lessons are costly.
I’m not sure your 8 year old would benefit much, in terms of preparation for an imminent ski week, by having one or two indoor sessions.
I’d focus on the 4 year old. Obviously you’ll know whether your older one would be happy doing some other enjoyable activity while the younger one is skiing.
Hopefully 2 separate activities would be enjoyed and be better value overall.
The older one will progress fast when they get on the mountain in a few weeks time. Worth getting your 4 year old some indoor snow practice, whether group or individual.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@PeakyB, thank you for your opinion. With the older one is about phsycological preparation more than anything- putting all the ski gear on, readjusting to feeling of cold etc.. as he does not deal with being out of routine very well , and this can impact his behavior. In terms of his ski ability, I don’t expect any substantial improvement in 1-2 lessons- so perhaps, I will get him just one lesson and see how he goes, and then book just a couple of Hemel passes just to ski with him .
Little one is definitely the one who will benefits from some pre holiday lessons, at least will give me an idea if he is indeed ready to cope with proper ski instruction
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