Private or group ski lessons: which should you choose?

Planning a ski holiday in Crans-Montana, Verbier or Zermatt and unsure whether to book a private or a group lesson? The right answer depends on four things: your level, how many of you there are, your children’s ages and your budget. Here is how our instructors advise the families and skiers who call us, with a real price-per-person comparison.

1. The three formats at a glance

2. Which lesson for which skier?

You have never skied (adult)

A private lesson is the most reassuring option. Your instructor focuses on you alone and builds the session around your concerns: balance, speed control, braking, first turns. If two of you are starting out together, a group lesson for 2 or a shared private lesson (+CHF 20) also works very well.

Your child is a beginner

For a young child, stamina matters as much as technique. A private lesson longer than 2 hours is not recommended before the age of 8, as tiredness can put them off skiing. That is exactly the length of our shortest private lesson. On the other hand, children also learn a lot by watching others. With brothers, sisters or cousins, the Family Group (from age 5) or a group lesson lets them learn through play.

You ski on your own and want to improve

The group lesson, at CHF 135 for 3 hours, is the most affordable option. With 2 to 5 people per group, the instructor still has time to correct everyone, and you also learn by watching the others.

As a couple or with friends of the same level

This is where a shared private lesson becomes interesting: each extra person costs only CHF 20 for a 2- or 3-hour lesson. From 3 people, it works out cheaper than a group lesson (see the calculation below).

As a family, with different levels

An advanced parent, an intermediate teenager, a child who is just starting: this is the typical case for the Family Group. The instructor assesses everyone’s level and adapts the session. Beginners work on balance and first turns, intermediates on technique and fluidity, advanced skiers on fine-tuning and varied terrain. Shared moments are part of the lesson: group runs, ski games, small family challenges.

You are already a good skier

A private lesson lets you work precisely on your style, prepare for a race or take your first steps off-piste. To go further, we also offer guided freeride, ski touring and ski mountaineering.

3. What does it really cost per person?

For a 3-hour lesson, based on our prices:

Included in every format: a certified instructor, a programme adapted to your level, and technical and safety advice. To arrange yourself: the lift pass, equipment rental (skis, boots, helmet) and your insurance.

4. How a lesson works

1. Welcome: your instructor meets you at the meeting point agreed when you book. Together you set your goals and check your equipment.
2. Warm-up: a few exercises to find your balance and confidence. In a group, they are also used to assess everyone’s level.
3. Session: speed control, turns, carving, handling slopes. The programme also adapts to the snow and weather conditions on the day.
4. Debrief: at the end of the lesson, your instructor reviews your progress and suggests runs and exercises to keep improving on your own.

5. Preparing for your lesson

Describe your level when booking

The more precise you are, the more useful the first session will be:

• Complete beginner: never skied, or only once.
• Beginner: you ski easy runs using the snowplough.
• Intermediate: you link parallel turns on blue and red runs.
• Advanced: all runs, and you want to work on style, deep snow or off-piste.

Several lessons rather than one

Most ski courses last 3 to 5 days. A single lesson gives you the basics or corrects a bad habit, but it is repetition over several days that builds the reflexes. Between two lessons, repeat the exercises suggested in the debrief.

Book early

Private lessons are often the first to be fully booked, especially during school holidays. You can book a 2-hour, half-day or full-day private lesson online, as well as group lessons and the Family Group.

Equipment and clothing

• No equipment? Rental is available on request, on +41 79 855 45 45.
• Bring:
  • a helmet, especially for children;
  • gloves, and goggles or sunglasses;
  • sunscreen, as the sun is stronger at altitude;
  • several layers of clothing rather than one thick jacket.
• And on the day, arrive with your lift pass already in your pocket.

6. Our advice

• If you want to progress fast or you are a beginner: a private lesson.
• If you ski on your own and want a friendly, affordable lesson: a group lesson.
• If you are 3 or 4 people of the same level: do the maths, a shared private lesson often comes out on top.
• If you are a family with different levels: the Family Group.
• If you prefer a board: our private snowboard lessons are open from age 5, from beginners to advanced riders.

Need help choosing? Call us on +41 79 855 45 45, every day from 9 am to 6 pm, or book your lesson online.