 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi everyone,
Me and my 10-year-old son will be spending two months skiing in Austria this winter (from mid-December to early February) — and this time, I’d love to do it differently. We’re both comfortable skiers (he’s already skiing blacks, and I’m solid on reds), but we’ve never really had structured coaching to build a strong technical foundation.
 My Main Goal:
Start the trip with focused, high-quality instruction — ideally with a single coach over several days, rather than scattered group lessons. I’m especially interested in:
• 1–2 private lessons at each base, or
• A solid week-long camp to set us up with proper technique early in the season.
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Why This Matters to Me:
Last year, we tried ESF group lessons in France, but it felt more like a moving drill without much feedback or connection. I’m looking for something more personalized, ideally with an English-speaking coach who can work with both of us and help us build real skills — not just rack up ski days.
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️ My Current Plan (Flexible):
• Dec 14–20: Based in Längenfeld, skiing Sölden or Obergurgl
• Dec 21–27: Based in Kaunertal, skiing Kaunertaler Glacier
But I hold a Snow Card Tirol, which gives access to 90+ ski resorts across Austria, so I’m completely open to changing my itinerary if there’s a better place to focus on technique and learning.
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 What I’m Wondering:
• Would it make sense to explore smaller ski resorts (within 30–50 km) of my planned bases for better instruction and fewer crowds?
• Has anyone done the “1–2 private lessons per base” model? Did it actually lead to tangible improvements?
• Are there any ski schools or private coaches in Tirol/Arlberg especially good with motivated kids and intermediate adults?
• Would you recommend a structured ski academy week or race camp for my son?
• How do Austrian schools compare with French ones in terms of structure, coaching quality, and feedback?
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I’d really appreciate any insights or suggestions from those of you who’ve done something similar. I’m approaching this with an open mind — happy to adjust where we go and how we pace our trip, if it means both of us learn better and enjoy more.
Thanks so much in advance for your advice — this is a special trip for us, and I’d love to make it count.
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Tue 1-04-25 18:30; edited 1 time in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@ankitind, I assume you mean you will be a Ski Tirol card holder for your two months and the boy is joining for Christmas/New year only.
Your first week will be very quiet so it doesn't really matter where you're based and there will be plenty of snow so don't necessarily focus on Glaciers or height, where the weather could be a bit crap. Ditto week two weatherwise.
I teach a lot of private clients and more often than not, they are returners year on year. To get the best out of private lessons, I'd recommend you book a minimum of 3 x two hour morning sessions with the same instructor. That'll give the best value for money and the boy will learn more in the morning than after lunch. You can go off and practice the drills in the afternoon. If you book private you will probably get one of the more experienced members of the ski school.
I'd say no to the Acadamy/ Race Camp option until you've been through some "structured teaching". Your instructor will be best placed to advise you for future trips.
I would say there's little difference between instructors working in Austria verses those working in France, but look for quality over quantity from your ski school. By way of example, there are 4 Ski Schools here in Flachau and I would be happy to recommend three of them! Once you've fixed your venue, ask for recommendations for schools and instructors on the appropriate forum.
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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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| RedandWhiteFlachau wrote: |
@ankitind, I assume you mean you will be a Ski Tirol card holder for your two months and the boy is joining for Christmas/New year only.
Your first week will be very quiet so it doesn't really matter where you're based and there will be plenty of snow so don't necessarily focus on Glaciers or height, where the weather could be a bit crap. Ditto week two weatherwise.
I teach a lot of private clients and more often than not, they are returners year on year. To get the best out of private lessons, I'd recommend you book a minimum of 3 x two hour morning sessions with the same instructor. That'll give the best value for money and the boy will learn more in the morning than after lunch. You can go off and practice the drills in the afternoon. If you book private you will probably get one of the more experienced members of the ski school.
I'd say no to the Acadamy/ Race Camp option until you've been through some "structured teaching". Your instructor will be best placed to advise you for future trips.
I would say there's little difference between instructors working in Austria verses those working in France, but look for quality over quantity from your ski school. By way of example, there are 4 Ski Schools here in Flachau and I would be happy to recommend three of them! Once you've fixed your venue, ask for recommendations for schools and instructors on the appropriate forum. |
Thank you — that’s incredibly helpful and clear, especially the part about doing 3×2-hour morning sessions with the same instructor. That really aligns with what I was hoping to do.
To clarify — both my son and I will be in Austria for the full two months. He’s 10, confident on reds, and loves skiing. I’m solid on reds too, and we’re both keen to use this trip not just for fun but to really build proper technique.
Our itinerary is still flexible, but we’re currently planning to change base each Sunday to explore different regions (we’ll have a car and love driving in the Alps). Here’s our tentative schedule:
• Dec 13 → Arrive in Vienna
• Dec 14–21 → Längenfeld (Sölden/Obergurgl area)
• Dec 21–28 → Kaunertal
• Dec 28–Jan 4 → Near Zillertal
• Jan 4–11 → Near Innsbruck
• Jan 11–24 → Near Ischgl (looking at See, Kappl, or Galtür as quieter bases)
• Jan 25–31 → St. Anton area
• Jan 31–Feb 7 → Near Kitzbühel
• Feb 8 → Flight out from Vienna
Given this schedule, I’m hoping to follow your suggestion and do structured private lessons at each base — especially in the first few weeks, when we’re still setting the foundation.
I really appreciate your insight about avoiding glacier-only resorts early on — I was over-fixated on snow-sure spots, but your advice makes a lot of sense.
Once we finalize our bases, I’ll definitely reach out on the relevant forums to ask for ski school and instructor recommendations. Thanks again for your guidance!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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https://developyourskiing.com/
Toby might be worth speaking with. He's based in St Anton, which isn't on the Tirol Snowcard, but he might have access to other resorts you're in.
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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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@ankitind, I'm sure you have your reasons, but why the Tirol card if you're going in and out of Vienna? Your current plan means you drive for 5 hours to get to your first venue and pass such skiing gems as Ski Amade, Obertauren, Saalbach-Hinterglem and the Wildkogelarena. The Salzburg Superskicard does the same job and runs as far west as Zillertal. The only resorts it doesn't cover in your plan are Längenfeld, Kaunertal (and maybe Mayrhofen, which is overated anyway). Here's the link if you want to take a look. https://www.superskicard.com/en/
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@RedandWhiteFlachau, I'll put money on him coming from India and he doesn't mind the driving
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| holidayloverxx wrote: |
| @RedandWhiteFlachau, I'll put money on him coming from India and he doesn't mind the driving |
Bang on—I am from India, and nope, driving doesn't scare me one bit. Five to eight hours a week? That’s podcast-and-snack time. Daily 30–60 minute drives to the lifts? That’s just a scenic warm-up. Your roads are gorgeous, snow gets cleared like magic, and people actually follow traffic rules—wild concept for me! No honking, no chaos... feels like I’m driving in a dream. So yeah, bring it on.
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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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@ankitind, I lived in New Delhi for a year, I know what you mean.  Doesn't change my point though. Still worth consideration.
@abc, Hadn't seen the original thread but I now note that the Salzburg Superskicard wasn't considered.
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A 10 year old and an adult don't really work together in a private (or any other sort of) lesson. You will need 2 instructors to get the most out of your time.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Chris_n wrote: |
| A 10 year old and an adult don't really work together in a private (or any other sort of) lesson. You will need 2 instructors to get the most out of your time. |
Based on what? I read, two people who are similar in ability. It is likely that the 10 year old will improve faster (simple demographics) but any decent instructor can cope with the age difference and task drills and exercises appropriate for both.
I do dislike the concept of "Family Ski" lessons though. 90% of the time, Dad thinks he's an expert, you have two kids with different challenges due to age and Mum who is more concerned abut the kids than taking anything in.
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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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| RedandWhiteFlachau wrote: |
@ankitind, I'm sure you have your reasons, but why the Tirol card if you're going in and out of Vienna? Your current plan means you drive for 5 hours to get to your first venue and pass such skiing gems as Ski Amade, Obertauren, Saalbach-Hinterglem and the Wildkogelarena. The Salzburg Superskicard does the same job and runs as far west as Zillertal. The only resorts it doesn't cover in your plan are Längenfeld, Kaunertal (and maybe Mayrhofen, which is overated anyway). Here's the link if you want to take a look. https://www.superskicard.com/en/ |
| RedandWhiteFlachau wrote: |
@ankitind, I lived in New Delhi for a year, I know what you mean. Doesn't change my point though. Still worth consideration.
@abc, Hadn't seen the original thread but I now note that the Salzburg Superskicard wasn't considered. |
Haha fair point, @RedandWhiteFlachau—and respect for surviving a year in New Delhi! That alone deserves honorary ski pass status
You’re totally right: the Salzburg SuperSkiCard covers a ton, and yeah, I’d be gliding right past some real beauties like Obertauern, Saalbach, and Ski Amadé while making my five-hour pilgrimage to the Tirol zone
But here’s the thing—I had tunnel vision for a few specific spots:
• Ischgl (because I have questionable taste and I am sold on Smugglers run)
• Sölden, Pitztal, Kaunertal, Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, and of course
• Arlberg (planning to tack on a 6-day extension there)
Sadly, SuperSkiCard skips all of those. So while it wins on sheer resort count and geography, it doesn’t quite scratch my personal itch for Tirolian big boys and glaciers.
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️ But Now the Plot Thickens…
I’m actually rethinking the whole thing and considering:
Ikon Base + Epic Australia Pass combo instead of Snow Card Tirol + Arlberg.
• Costs ~€700 less
• Covers resorts in Austria, Italy, Switzerland, and France. I would love to explore Madonna DC, 3 Zinnen and Kronplatz
• Revisit Zermatt and off-piste coaching in Andermatt, Verbier & 3 Vallées
• Downside? Slightly more complex logistics, and I may need a second pair of knees 
⸻
In short:
Yes, I’m probably over-optimizing this trip like it’s a Formula 1 race, but hey—that’s part of the fun, right?
Appreciate the nudge to reconsider my routes… and if you spot me trying to drive from Ischgl to Vienna Airport in one go without a caffeine IV, please stage an intervention. 
Thanks again for the tip!
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| Quote: |
90% of the time, Dad thinks he's an expert, you have two kids with different challenges due to age and Mum who is more concerned abut the kids than taking anything in.
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 Yes, that sounds all-too-believable. However, with this father and son combo, doing the stuff together is clearly an important objective of the whole trip. Personally I'd prefer to spend a few weeks in the same place, with the same instructor (having taken advice here about who to book). I can see the attraction of moving around though, for the young and energetic!!
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You know it makes sense.
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| Origen wrote: |
| Quote: |
90% of the time, Dad thinks he's an expert, you have two kids with different challenges due to age and Mum who is more concerned abut the kids than taking anything in.
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Yes, that sounds all-too-believable. However, with this father and son combo, doing the stuff together is clearly an important objective of the whole trip. Personally I'd prefer to spend a few weeks in the same place, with the same instructor (having taken advice here about who to book). I can see the attraction of moving around though, for the young and energetic!! |
Yeah, that’s exactly the idea — it’s really about doing this together.
That said, I’m actually leaning toward putting my son in a group ski school, while I take a few private lessons myself.
Funny enough, I’ve noticed he actually listens more to the instructor when he’s in a group setting — something about the peer pressure or just not having Dad hovering nearby
So this setup might be the perfect balance: we both get quality instruction, learn at our own pace, and still reunite to ski together after lessons.
The only bummer if we had bad experience from ESF in Serre Chevallier/Les Menuires this season
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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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| ankitind wrote: |
That said, I’m actually leaning toward putting my son in a group ski school, while I take a few private lessons myself.
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That was exactly the thought that coms to my mind first.
There’re potentially more options for the youngster to enroll into some sort of structured program that’s not available to adults. For example, if you were in the states, we have multi-week “development” programs for kids that would end up with the proficient ones being taken off-piste or into the slalom course. I suspect there maybe similar programs in Austria too.
I don’t know though, whether such programs are only available in German, not necessarily in English.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@ankitind, If you wanted to save some money and aren't too set on the Arlberg, you could ditch that week and instead mix it up a bit with some of the smaller resorts on the Snow Card Tirol. I agree that the weeks you want to have lessons, then staying in the same place with the same instructor is preferable, but on some of your less structured weeks you could stay somewhere cheaper and make use of your car. Pick a town near the A12 or in one of the valleys, and ski a few smaller areas like Kappl, Kühtai or Imst. You may not want to spend a whole week in these places, but they are nice for a day or two, you can choose depending on the weather, and many have free parking for ticket holders.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Chris_n wrote: |
| A 10 year old and an adult don't really work together in a private (or any other sort of) lesson. You will need 2 instructors to get the most out of your time. |
I’d disagree. It’s pretty easy for any half decent instructor to cater to just 2 students, no matter how different their skill level. In this case, the skill level aren’t all that different to begin with.
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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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| abc wrote: |
| Chris_n wrote: |
| A 10 year old and an adult don't really work together in a private (or any other sort of) lesson. You will need 2 instructors to get the most out of your time. |
I’d disagree. It’s pretty easy for any half decent instructor to cater to just 2 students, no matter how different their skill level. In this case, the skill level aren’t all that different to begin with. |
Note I said get the most out of your time. As mentioned above the 10 year old will likely learn quicker, so even if levels are the same initially they won't be after a couple of lessons. 10 year olds and adults have very different learning needs, 10 year olds will copy what you do without needing or wanting an explanation of exactly what and why you are doing it. Adults usually need every minute detail explaining often in many different ways until they understand. Of course both will make progress if together but neither will get the full benefit of private instruction.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Chris_n wrote: |
| abc wrote: |
| Chris_n wrote: |
| A 10 year old and an adult don't really work together in a private (or any other sort of) lesson. You will need 2 instructors to get the most out of your time. |
I’d disagree. It’s pretty easy for any half decent instructor to cater to just 2 students, no matter how different their skill level. In this case, the skill level aren’t all that different to begin with. |
Note I said get the most out of your time. As mentioned above the 10 year old will likely learn quicker, so even if levels are the same initially they won't be after a couple of lessons. 10 year olds and adults have very different learning needs, 10 year olds will copy what you do without needing or wanting an explanation of exactly what and why you are doing it. Adults usually need every minute detail explaining often in many different ways until they understand. Of course both will make progress if together but neither will get the full benefit of private instruction. |
“Full benefit of private” is proportional to the cost. At 2 times the cost, will it resulted in twice the benefit?
Also, not all adults “need every minute detail explaining often in many different ways until they understand”. From my own limited experience of teaching, plenty of adults are visual learners. They want to copy what the instructor does. In fact, in a typical group lesson, I often had just ONE adults asking clarifying questions, while the rest of the group were shifting their skis wanting to start practice what they’ve be told!
You must be pretty unlucky to have many students like that so often.
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FAQ
