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Deciding between private and group ski lessons can be such a hard decision for ski parents. It’s a deleicate balance between helping your kids learn as much as possible and getting the most value for your money. Both have advantages and disadvantages, and I’ll help you decide the best option for your family.
As both a ski instructor and mom, I’ve seen group and private lessons help young skiers in unique ways. Below, I’ll share a detailed look at the pros and cons of each, plus some insider tips to maximize the time your child spends in ski school.
Group Ski Lessons: A Fun, Budget-Friendly Choice
Group ski lessons are the most common option for families, and there are so many benefits. The most obvious is that they’re considerably cheaper than private ski instruction with group ski lessons often costing 1/4 the price of a private lesson. ANother big advantage of doing group ski lessons for kids is the social scene. Group ski lessons are a great way for kids to connect with kids who are a similar age and ability level so they can learn and support each other. For a lot of kids, they respond better to learning something new with their peers around them rather than 1 on 1 with an adult.
For many families, signing kids up for multiple days of group lessons seems like a better option than just 1 day of private lessons (for the same price). For beginners or intermediate skiers, this slow-and-steady approach can be a great way to lay down solid foundations. Not only is it about saving money – it’s also about making friends. There’s something special about learning alongside peers, and many kids thrive in this social environment. They get to see other kids try, learn, and sometimes stumble right alongside them, which can keep them motivated and excited to improve. Group lessons often include games and playful activities, turning learning into an adventure rather than just another class.
Group lessons generally have a lot more availability than private lessons. A ski school might have room for 100 kids in group lessons, but only space for 5 in private lessons. This can be a lifesaver, especially if you’re visiting a popular ski resort during the busy holiday season. While private lessons might require booking weeks in advance, you can often find an open spot in a group lesson a week out without too much trouble. (During the holidays, private lessons need to be booked at least 3 months in advance and group lessons at least 6 weeks out).
Group lessons do have their downsides, particularly during peak times like Christmas and New Year’s. During the holidays, group sizes can get really big. At the ski school where I teach, our student to teacher ratio is 9:1, but can get even higher if they give us a teen junior instructor to help kids when they fall. It’s not a great situation and the kdis never learn as much as they could in a smaller group. I feel like an average class size is about 5 students in a class, so holiday ski lessons are almost double that. It’s incredibly difficult for an instructor to really teach that many kids, especially if they’re beginners. It usually ends up that about half of the kids need more help from others, so in a really large group, about half of the class doesn’t get a lot of individualized attention. I know this is really hard to hear, but it’s just the reality of numbers that good.
Personally, I’m really good at juggling lots of kids. I have 5 kids of my own, so managing a big group is my speciality. Even with that skill, I have a VERY hard time teaching extra large holiday ski group. Most ski instructors are college kids or have 1-2 kids, so keep that in mind when booking holiday lessons.
With the instructor juggling several kids, it’s impossible to focus on each one’s unique needs for long. While a great instructor can balance the group’s needs, the reality is that your child might not get as much one-on-one feedback as they would in a smaller setting. For kids who are struggling with a specific skill or just need a little extra encouragement, this can make progress feel slow and frustrating.
Despite these drawbacks, group lessons are often the perfect fit for beginner and intermediate skiers, even if Holidays are a bad time to learn to ski. They’re all about building a solid foundation, getting comfortable on the slopes, and having a good time in the process. But for kids who are ready to push their limits or need help overcoming specific challenges, private lessons are often a better option.
Private Ski Lessons: A Tailored Experience for Faster Progress
Now, let’s dive into the world of private ski lessons. These one-on-one kids ski lessons come with a higher price tag, but they also deliver a much more customized learning experience. With all of the instructor’s attention focused on your child, the potential for progress is huge.In a private lesson, kids can progress at lightning speed. Think of it like having a personal coach who adjusts the lesson plan on the fly, focusing exactly where your child needs the most help. There’s no time wasted on skills they’ve already mastered, and every minute is spent tackling new challenges.
For kids who are easily frustrated or those who thrive on personalized attention, private lessons can be a real confidence boost. They’ll see their progress clearly and feel proud of how quickly they’re improving. Private lessons also let kids set the pace. Whether your child likes to take things slow or is eager to charge down more difficult runs, a private instructor can adapt to their style. For younger kids with shorter attention spans, this means more breaks or playful activities to keep them engaged. For more advanced kids, it could mean exploring tougher terrain that would be off-limits in a group setting.
One of the biggest reasons parents choose private lessons is the one-on-one attention. With no other students to manage, the instructor can give detailed feedback, correct bad habits, and fine-tune techniques. This is especially valuable when kids are learning more advanced skills like carving, skiing moguls, or tackling steeper terrain. It’s also a great option if your child is struggling with a particular aspect of their skiing and needs targeted help to push through a plateau.
However, the benefits of private lessons come at a cost—literally. Private lessons can be VERY EXPENSIVE. For many families, this higher cost means having to limit the number of lessons per season. While the results can be impressive, the price can add up quickly, making it harder to justify, especially if your child is just starting out and doesn’t have specific challenges to overcome. But if your budget allows for a splurge, a private lesson or two can make a world of difference.
Availability for private lessons can also be a challenge during busy times. Private lessons are often in high demand, particularly during holidays like Christmas and New Year’s. Booking in advance is essential if you want to secure a spot, especially if your child has a favorite instructor. It’s not always easy to be flexible with timing when you’re competing with other families for limited slots.
It’s also worth noting that private lessons aren’t usually necessary for beginners. Many kids just starting out can learn the basics perfectly well in a group setting, at just about the same pase as they would in a private lesson. If your child doesn’t have any specific issues and is comfortable learning alongside others, a group lesson may be the perfect introduction to skiing without the premium price tag.
Getting the Best of Both Private and Group Lessons: Insider Tips for Parents
If you’re feeling torn between the benefits of group and private lessons, don’t worry—there are some great ways to strike a balance. One of my favorite tips for families is to book group lessons during the middle of the week, outside of peak times. During these quieter days, group sizes tend to shrink, sometimes with only 2-3 kids per instructor. It’s almost like getting a private lesson at a group price, with plenty of opportunities for individualized feedback. Plus, your child still gets to enjoy the social aspect of learning alongside a few new friends. While I understand that this can be tricky with school and work schedules, I think it’s a sacrifice worth making to help your kids learn to ski better.
Another great strategy is to request the same instructor for multiple days, whether you opt for group or private lessons. Many ski schools are happy to accommodate this request if you call in advance. Keeping the same instructor means they can track your child’s progress, adjust the lessons as they improve, and build on what they’ve learned each day. This consistency can make a huge difference, helping kids feel more comfortable and confident as they progress.
Each year, our family has a chunk of money that we set aside for ski lessons, because even though I’m a ski instructor and my husband is an excellent skier, sometimes our kids just need to learn from someone else. We typically opt for mid-week group lessons unless one of our kids is struggling with a very specific skill or type of terrain. Then we book them a private lesson, but we are very clear to communicate with the ski school what we want them to learn so that they can match them with the best instructor for their needs. Also, we make sure to talk to our childs instructor before the lesson to let them know what we want them to focus on, where our child is struggling, and what we’ve tried in the past. The more information you can give to an instructor, the easier it is for them to help your kids!
Also read: Getting the most out of kids ski school
Consider Semi-Private Lessons for Kids
For families with multiple kids or friends learning together, semi-private lessons can be a fantastic compromise. Some resorts offer this option, allowing a small group—like siblings or a few friends—to share a private session with one instructor. It’s more focused than a traditional group lesson, but it won’t hit your wallet as hard as a fully private session. However, we only recommend that for groups that are all similar in age and ability. Semi-private ski lessons that combine parents and kids are almost always a bad idea and not as effective for anyone.
Making the Right Ski School Choice for Your Child
At the end of the day, deciding between group and private ski lessons comes down to your child’s needs and your family’s budget. Group lessons are perfect for building basic skills in a fun, social setting without spending a fortune. They’re a great way for beginners and intermediate skiers to build their confidence and get comfortable on the slopes. Private lessons, on the other hand, offer the fastest path to improvement, with personalized attention that’s ideal for kids who want to tackle new challenges or need help overcoming specific obstacles.
Whichever option you choose, remember that skiing is all about having fun and creating memories with your family. By knowing the pros and cons of each lesson type, and by considering creative strategies like midweek group lessons or sticking with the same instructor, you can make sure your child has a positive and rewarding experience on the slopes. Happy skiing, and I hope to see you and your family out there having fun on the mountain!