 Poster: A snowHead
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Appreciate a similar variation of this has probably been asked a million times before!
Going to Val Thorens end of next month, son skis well and is old enough to do his own thing, wife can navigate easy runs ok but not particularly confident. Says she does chips but not sure I remember that from previous years 
I did snowboard, converted to skiing this year and I'm halfway through an 8 week block of dry slope group lessons which are just starting to move towards parallel stops/turns. 8 weeks sounds a lot but it is only one hour a session.
I looked at Oxygene and ESF (other recommendations welcome) earlier for lessons, ESF it seemed would put me in an intermediate group but that seemed like a stretch? whereas beginners would be revisiting a lot of things I've already done?
Would it be more sensible to book a couple of days of private morning or afternoon lessons instead? The other benefit I thought was if myself and my wife end up at slightly different levels it'd be easier for an instructor to handle advice for both of our abilities, rather than if it was a large group with more of a set agenda?
There is another option to throw in some private dry slope lessons also but I'd imagine it's still recommended to get them in resort too?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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ski schools will move you to the correct "ability" group regardless of what you book if they think you've self selected the wrong group.
Whilst is more ££ you will get more out of joint private lessons or two. You'll also get shown / recommended best areas / pistes for you to ski for your ability when not in lessons.
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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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+1 for private lessons for two
I'm assuming that by end of next month you mean VT for new year week?
It'll probably be busy so you might not get loads of choice of lesson timings. Don't rule out lunchtime lessons which can be good because the queues are a bit less. Will depend on what your plans are for meeting your son for lunch etc.
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| Quote: |
It'll probably be busy so you might not get loads of choice of lesson timings
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This. Book asap. Private lessons together sound ideal.
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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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Agree with all of the above. Whoever you use for instruction, get private lessons.
Ski school has got a place but IMO loses its appeal after week 1 of skiing (or week 2 if people pick it up a bit slower). As a complete beginner its nice to learn and improve as a group. After that I feel you benefit so much more from some focused instruction. Plus the boarders I know that have had a go at skiing pick it pretty quickly as they've already got used to the whole concept of moving on snow.
Private lessons are better value for money too, especially if you can share the private lesson with another person (i.e. your wife).
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I think a combination is best (group & private lessons in resort) . . .I certainly would NOT spend any more money on the indoor slopes after your initial intro sessions
Private you will definitely pick up a lot more technical issues / areas to improve on; however miles matter and in ski school once you get going you will clock miles and gain more CONFIDENCE in half a day than an after an hour of private.
Best tip for ski school is to get 'behind' the instructor as many times as poss during the session and simply follow his/her line . . .this is relevant at ALL levels IMO and will improve your skiing (and how to tackle different piste conditions / slope types) way more quickly and without thinking about it too much. Plus lessons are usually amusing; there's always one moaner / one that wants to ski faster than anyone else but is crap / one that is slower but technically better than everyone else / one that says nothing / one that never shuts up / one that's got good banter. . . etc etc
I'd have a private lesson at the beginning of the week - then do ski school - then book the same private instructor at the end of the week to polish out any bad habits formed in ski school / show off with your new non-pizza based turns!
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| Belch wrote: |
Private you will definitely pick up a lot more technical issues / areas to improve on; however miles matter and in ski school once you get going you will clock miles and gain more CONFIDENCE in half a day than an after an hour of private.
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Second that.
Basically, most people can’t handle constant feedback for more than an hour. (i.e. 2-3 tips) max. By being in a group, you’re not constantly being watched non-stop. You need a bit of free skiing to “get” what the instructor taught.
In this particular case, a 2 person group, I mean a semi-private, should work out well. You get the individual attention and the time to practice too
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Thanks for all the advice folks, it's given me loads to think of.
I've went for the following - 5 x 2 hour private afternoon lessons, if we/I are doing good then my son can use the time to go do some cool runs that are within his capabilities but outwith ours
Let's us find our feet on day 1 before the afternoon lesson, then on our last day we're free to do what we want having hopefully picked up some extra skills!
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