How to get the most out of group lessons?

A snowHead

Last week in Meribel for my third week's skiing ever, I booked onto a group lesson. I was slightly surprised that I placed myself (on a scale that went beginner, 1, 2, 3, 4) between 3 and 4 despite my lack of experience. Anyway, the first day (Sunday) was fab as there was nobody else booked in, so a 2 hour private lesson "paid" for the entire course.

But for the rest of the week, there were two other skiers. They'd skied a lot more than I had, about 5/6 weeks. But they dawdled, were slow and lacked confidence. It's fair to say that I didn't really get much more out of the course, and I didn't bother showing up on the last day.

What could I have done to have got more out of it? (Or are group lessons a complete waste of time?)

A snowHead

Interesting question. I wonder if the instructor got it right. With only three pupils, he could have had you repeatedly skiing the same lift but darting between each of you, observing you all from the lift, etc. It's a good technique for maximising your skiing time, and giving each of you specific (semi-private) instruction.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

He did rotate us David Goldsmith, - as in which one of us was directly following him. When I was in place 2 or 3, I skied beautifully; when in place 1 he took a completely different route down the mountain for me, and we did it in half the time of the others (but less elegantly as he was pushing me much harder). Problem was the other two ended up getting most of the attention; also very frustrating to follow the others who slowed off into each turn, whereas I wanted to generate nice carving turns.

One day was virtually entirely devoted to schussing the entire way down the blues from the top of Plattiers into St Martin (if you know the 3V), just to try to encourage the others to speed up a bit. I could see what he was doing and why, but it really wasted my time.

I am, BTW, far from an aggressive skier!

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In Canada we (the OL, a couple of friends and me) had private lessons over several years from one particular instructor; sometimes we were all there sometimes only a couple of us. We were all at slightly different levels and different innate abilities and with different levels of commitment. The instructor had no difficulty in giving each of us the instruction which was appropriate for us. Often we would be doing the same stuff as each other, but often one or more of us would be doing something specific to him or her. It sounds as if James the Last's instructor was in 'group' mode; everybody doing the same thing at the same time. Disappointing given the gropu size, although I suppose s/he can't be blamed for the others' slowness. Our chap wasn't keen on having more than 4 in the group (although we did have 6 once or twice, and it wasn't as good), as he reckoned he couldn't give adequate individual attention above 4. We had a similar experience in Courchevel.

I suspect that once one gets to a certain level (I don't know what that is, good intermediate, maybe), genuine group lessons, everyone doing the same thing, are unlikely to be anything like as useful as a private or two, then practising what you've learnt on your own. For me, privates are more enjoyable if there are 2 or 3 in the lesson, and that helps with practising afterwards as well. I haven't had a group lesson for years and years, and won't have any more in the future (except in the unlikely event that I join a beginners' off piste group), but I'll certainly have a private or two each year.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

I had exactly the same problem when I was learning. It's so irratating that in a whole morning skiing you only spend about 20 mins being coached. I would suggest skipping the group lessons altogether once you have the basics sorted (as you have) and instead use the money to pay for a one off private lesson on day 2 of your holiday (day 1 being for finding your snow legs!). That way the teacher can concentrate on sorting out the problems in your technique and then you can spend the rest of your holiday practicing. It definitely worked for me.

You'll need to Register first of course.

When i went away i got 2 x 2 hr private lessons for approx the same price as a week of group.

This was day 2 and 3.

I think this is the magic formula (or perhaps day 2 and 4?)

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

In my experience, having a shared private lesson or two with friends you're travelling with has worked well. The last couple of years myself and two friends, who are around a similar ability, have taken a private lesson together. Each time we've been given "group" exercises but also individual ones based upon our own individiual deficiencies. Being with friends also makes the others aware of your particular bad habits which they can spot for you throughout the week.

Help!!

How to get the most out of group lessons?

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