Ski School: Only For Beginners?

theholyghost

This may be a stupid question, I haven't been in a ski school since I learned to ski but I have taken the odd private lesson. I haven't skied in a while, so, I'd like to get some instruction but would prefer in a group for the social aspect. Do ski schools tend to do improvers groups or anything like that? Or would that be pretty rare?

I don't know if a lot of schools are just orientated to "processing" people on package ski holidays etc.

Thanks

Fattes

I know level 3 ISIA instructors that still take lessons while away. So yes instructors will love to take you for a class, as it gives them away from teaching snowploughs

EileenG

No, ski school is always useful. Even professionals have coaches, and ordinary skiers can always benefit from a better technique.

Last time we went skiing, we brought our own instructor with us, and she tailored classes to the requirements of the group. So how to ski faster for the slow skiers, and how to ski deep powder and off piste for the better ones.

But even without her, we normally get a couple of private classes between two or three of us, just to brush up carving or whatever.

bovril

In the two Austrian resorts I have been to (Soll and Zell am See) on the first day of school they ask everyone who is not a complete beginner to do a short very easy test (usually ski down between some slalom poles) and based on how you perform they divide everyone into groups. Some people can snow plough, some people are fast and parallel turn. The more advanced skiers get taught the more advanced techniques in class and tend to cover more kilometers on the mountain. Ski schools are great for the social aspect alright and the more advanced classes usually are smaller in number too which is a bonus.

Edit: Do a bit of research yourself from reading forums on the recommended ski schools in the resort you are going to, the ski school on offer through the TO may not be the best. It's also possible to get an online discount or a discount with rental if you book yourself outside of the TO packages. I did this last week in Zell am See and saved a few quid.

theholyghost

Thanks for that Bovril and others, I'm going to Oberstdorf this week not with a TO, so, I want to make sure I can join a group but not one that spends two days learning to stop and start, I wasn't really sure if the general daily classes only cater to beginners. So, this is good news.

EileenG

You can get some really specialised class: racing, carving, off-piste, powder, and they'll all push you beyond what you are doing now.

olaola

Anywhere I’ve been in Austria they will take any level of student. You’ll be placed appropriately and usually taught advanced techniques (moguls/off piste etc). I’ve chatted to instructors who have to go to lessons themselves – usually before ski school starts in the morning. I’ve stopped lessons for the last two years, but would probably go back next year if even for a few days – get rid of the bad habits and pick up a few more hints.

Kaisr Sose

Most resorts should be able to accommodate you in a group that challenges you. That's the key thing-to feel you are challenged in your group, then you will improve.

Cheese Princess

On my last trip (Deux Alps) you were tested on a short slope and then put into groups. But if you made better progress than the rest of the group, they would move you up a level, or down a level if you weren't keeping up, so it was very well managed.
Definitely worth it - I was really pleased with the progress I made in the week and definitely getting lessons again this year.

DC1976

If i was you i would do the ski school. I was the same a few years ago. I done the ski school anway. Ended up just three of us in the class. One day i was the only one to show up so had private lesson for the day 1 to 1. Really good. Most days one of the persons would not show so there was only two of us in the class and was more like private lessons than a ski school. Really really good.
I have skied for years and have not done ski school for about 5 years but i am thinking of going back to it this year