Skiing Lessons

Many people are put off skiing as they don’t know how, its daunting, wondering if you will ever be able to stand up on skis, let alone whether you will be able to traverse down steep slopes safely. Well taking tuition from the local ski school is definitely the best way and safest way to learn or improve your skills.

All reputable ski schools will have English speaking instructors, many of which are actually from the UK and hold a B.A.S.I qualification which is a recognised exam sat by most instructors, The British Association of Snow-sports Instructors, and if they are not English, then they will hold their countries equivalent qualification and will be happy to prove their qualifications upon request.

Ski Lessons for Beginners

Usually, if you are a complete ski beginner or have only skied for a week or two, then we'd recommend booking ski school for a week of lessons, its usually on the morning and ski lessons range from 11/2 hours to 3 hours depending on age and experience. Day one is usually assessing you to see what group you'd be best in and they put you into a group of approx 15 other skiers of same standard, a great way to make friends and there's usually a little competition at the end of the week to see who has made best progress.

Intermediate and Advanced Ski Lessons

You may have some ski experience and may just want to book a private ski lesson as a refresher, this can be either one on one with an instructor or can be small groups of say 3-4 people, a great way of saving on the cost if you share between your group but you must be similar levels.

There are varying levels to suit everyone's age and ability, babies up to 3 usually join the ski school crèches, which is more about keeping warm inside or making snowmen and general playing in the snow. The next level for children is usually for children of 4-6 years, which is ski school kindergarten which teaches basic technique, leaning how to snowplough stop and turn. Then there is children’s ski school which ranges from approximately 6 and over where lessons are more structured and more technical and children can progress up the following levels just like adults.

Ski/Snowboard Beginners

Level 1 = Total beginner – No experience - learn how to stand up, learn snow plough stops and turns and boarders learn basics like a falling leaf and balance techniques..

Recreational Skiers/Snowboarders

Level 2 = Recreational standard - 2nd or 3rd time skiers, improve on level one, and speeding up.

Speed Control

Level 3 – Work towards controlling speed - Full Board Accommodation is generally 3 meals and your accommodation. Abbreviated to "FB"

Beginner Freestyle

Level 4 = Confident Skier - Learning parallel turns and boarders learning beginner freestyle moves.

Intermediate Skier

Levels 5-6 = Learning to be more confident on an intermediate level - taking on more difficult blue and reds, combining parallel/plough skiing and boarders learn carve turns and freestyle manoeuvres.

Advanced Skiers/Snowboarders

Levels 7 and over = for advanced skiers with many weeks of experience - with instructors taking you off piste, onto mogul runs and slalom courses, and boarders again going off piste, carving, learning double kickers, jib lines, stalls and banks.

The best way to enjoy the Alpine conditions safely and see areas that you otherwise miss, is to book yourself into local ski school, you may find yourself progressing through a couple of levels, maybe more in a week and its a great way to meet people. Skiing is a social experience and the lessons can be great fun.

Be sure to look out for Tour Operators deals, a lot of them will do a total ski pack for beginners and level 2-3, with equipment, lessons and lift passes included.