Ski school / private lessons

Road-Hog

Of those of you who have a number of weeks skiing ' under your sallopettes' how many of you wud still do a full weeks ski school/ couple of days private lessons. Personally I've only ever done ski school on one trip ie my very first in Andorra and the next year, 3 of us got a half day private lesson. That was back in 2000. Since then the exhilaration and adrenalin associated with exploring as many runs in the resort as possible outweighs the desire to improve technique. I might not score high in the style dept but would not be afraid to try any gradient of slope and usually can get down them without too much bother unless they are heavily moguled or crowded and narrow. just wondering are there many others who's skiing has evolved in a similar manner?

yankinlk

I have never taken a lesson personally, but i started in my early teens and went often, more than once a year, copying others.

I have made all my young family take lessons from a young age. To be honest it is mostly for the baby sitting, as it frees me up for my own skiing!

My oldest went to ski school for a week at about age 8. That was enough, he can now keep up with the fastest skiiers, altho his technique could be better, but no chance getting him back in a group lesson now!

The smallest skiier, did school first at age 3 and again at age 5. This year he didnt want to go, but when i took him out, he had a new thing called fear, and there were many tears and tense chair lifts with daddy. I was forced to pay for private lessons if only for the 3 hours it gave me on my own.

Well i have never seem such a turn around! He jumped to the bronze level after 3 hours, and was able to stay with the slower older group on the trip with ease. It was money very well spent even at such a young age.

If you have the week, start the kids in school as its cheaper and it keeps them busy. If you are going mid week,stump up for private lessons.

If you want to really improve,get 1 on 1 private for 2 hours in the morning, then practice what you learn for a day and a half, then repeat.

dzer2

I wouldn't pay for a private lesson as I feel they are not value for money.
I would definitely take lessons and most importantly the kids have taken lessons. We have twins and they have skied 6 times and they took lessons for the first 5 times and last time they skied with a group of adults. It was mainly the cost implication that they didnt take lessons. But their technique is top class and they don't look Irish on the slopes. When we go back next yr they will go back into lessons.

Road-Hog

dzer2 wrote: »

I wouldn't pay for a private lesson as I feel they are not value for money.
I would definitely take lessons and most importantly the kids have taken lessons. We have twins and they have skied 6 times and they took lessons for the first 5 times and last time they skied with a group of adults. It was mainly the cost implication that they didnt take lessons. But their technique is top class and they don't look Irish on the slopes. When we go back next yr they will go back into lessons.

Was more interested in the thoughts of adults (say those he started skiing in their mid 20's r so ) than a description of what to do with children. As with most sport activities it is best to learn as a child eg swimming, even languages they pick things up very quickly.

A few regular skiers I know love ski school and do it every year they are happy to follow their instructor and group and enjoy the social aspect of it as much as the skiing almost. Covering km's of piste and exploring the whole resort would not be high on their agenda. Just curious to know is ski school for those who have skied numerous times the exception rather than the norm.

the beer revolu

I'd say I got group lessons the first 8 or 9 times I skied - it is the only way to improve if you don't have the funds for private lessons. It is social and good fun too. These days I just ski and ski and ski till my legs give up:D
Started when I was 20.

trashcan

I've always done ski school. Five trips under my belt. Last year just did 5 days school instead of 6 so the last day was the first time out on the slopes on my own (apart from runs down the nursery slope after the classes finish for the day.) It was grand, but I'll still do the school this year.* Maybe the fact that I was in my mid forties starting off means I'm less adventurous, but I've no desire to do anything too wild on the slopes.

*(18 days and counting )

Rippeditup

I done ski school my 1st year and last year done pvt lessons (2) and tbh I got more out of the ski school as it was more fun while learning.

I have 1 pvt lesson booked when we go at the start of March as I am trying to catch up on the other half who is a far superior skier than me having been the last 9 years.

Hrududu

I did ski school the first 2 trips. Then the following year a few of us got a half day private lesson just to tune up our techniques. Since then I haven't had any lessons. I know my technique could probably use some more lessons but I'm grand getting down most slopes and prefer heading off with friends to explore all the runs.

dzer2

Road-Hog wrote: »

Was more interested in the thoughts of adults (say those he started skiing in their mid 20's r so ) than a description of what to do with children. As with most sport activities it is best to learn as a child eg swimming, even languages they pick things up very quickly.

A few regular skiers I know love ski school and do it every year they are happy to follow their instructor and group and enjoy the social aspect of it as much as the skiing almost. Covering km's of piste and exploring the whole resort would not be high on their agenda. Just curious to know is ski school for those who have skied numerous times the exception rather than the norm.

I started at 20 took group lessons for the first 4 times then spent a few yrs skiing with mates then I done a another lesson and it brought me forward a lot. The missus took group lessons and then one year tried a private one. It really shattered her confidence as she never got a rest and the instructor liked a drink or two and she felt isolated.

The Davestator

Private lessons for sure. With ski school you're always catering for the weakest in the group and you could be held back if you are a bit better than others in the group.

I dropped out of ski school after 3 days as there was one person who could barely stand let alone ski and the instructor was giving them too much time.

Road-Hog

Hrududu wrote: »

I did ski school the first 2 trips. Then the following year a few of us got a half day private lesson just to tune up our techniques. Since then I haven't had any lessons. I know my technique could probably use some more lessons but I'm grand getting down most slopes and prefer heading off with friends to explore all the runs.

You sound like my kind of skier! 2 x 1/2 days of my first wk ever skiing (in Andorra) were spent in ski school, once I had mastered how to stop using the snow plough I was happy enough. . Worked on the turns for the remainder of the week and could turn fairly well to the right but poorly to the left, as a result I really didn't like narrow blue runs with a shear drop at one side, it would be a combination of straight down turn to right as opposed left right left right turns the whole way to the end. The second year I decided to try and improve again without instruction and by end of week could turn to left a bit better but confidence wasn't great. 3 rd year 3 of us got a half day instruction and that helped me improve a bit but have got none since and that is 13 years ago now, by observing others and getting the odd tip here and there and experimenting each trip I got the hang of the parallel turns etc. still wouldn't like deep powder and rough mougled pistes can be difficult but would have no fear of the majority of reds and blacks in the majority of the resorts I've been to. the guys i go with are into covering the max km of piste and seeing as much of the resort as possible with technique and style coming second place

teacherhead

First time out for me I was in school so.lessons were compulsory but I was happy enough with that to be fair.

After college a gang of us went 4 years on the trot and again had group lessons. We were all of a similar standard so there was no issue with holding people up. About my second time to go with the gang I started running trips from my iwn school soviet was getting lots of practice in without lessons.

Now I go every year with school and would always take a couple of hours of lessons in the week. Keeps me sharp and helps the technique. I think it's all well and good ploughing around the place but I like the sense of being able to handle whatever comes my way well and oRe importantly how to avoid getting into situations I can't get out of.

Going next week, I'll see how things go. Might try the snowboard for a few days. Tgat said theres so much powder falling at the min I'd prefer to be moving rather than breaking my ass learning to ride.