Skiing lessons: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What skiing lessons is

Skiing lessons teach stance, turns, stopping and lift use on snow, with lessons tailored to beginners or advanced skiers and to the terrain you ski. People book them before their first trip, when they plateau on blue runs, or when they want to ski steeper or icier terrain with more control.

Signs you need it

  • You cannot turn both ways without skidding or losing control
  • You snowplow everywhere and cannot link turns on a gentle slope
  • You fall when you try to stop or when the snow changes from soft to icy
  • You are getting on a chairlift or a magic carpet for the first time and feel unsure
  • You want to ski steeper runs or off-piste terrain and need technique for it

What the pro does

  • Watches you ski a few runs to find the stance or balance problem
  • Teaches the stance and pole plant that let you turn with control
  • Works on linked turns on gentle terrain, then on steeper runs
  • Teaches stopping and speed control, including the sideslip and hockey stop
  • Covers lift loading, unloading and the rules of the mountain

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Private, semi-private or group lesson
  • Length of each lesson and whether it is a half day or full day
  • Your starting level and the terrain you want to ski
  • Whether lift ticket or rental costs are included
  • Whether the lesson is at a resort, a small hill or backcountry terrain
  • Whether the instructor is teaching children or adults, and how many students are in the group

What a written quote should spell out

  • Number of lessons, length of each and the start time
  • Whether lift tickets, rentals or helmets are included
  • Resort or location for the lesson
  • Group size and whether the lesson is private
  • Cancellation and weather policy, since snow closures are common

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What do you check first when you watch me ski?
  • How do you teach turns so I can control my speed on the terrain I want?
  • Do you use the resort's ski school rules, and what is your plan on steep or icy runs?
  • Do you require a helmet, and what do you recommend for my level?
  • What will I be able to do after two days of lessons that I cannot do now?
  • Do you hold an instructor certification from a ski instruction program?
  • Do you teach children, and how do you keep them in a group at the right level?

Red flags

  • Puts a beginner on steep terrain before the basic turns and stops are working
  • Does not check your boots or skis for fit, or the equipment is clearly unsafe
  • Promises you will ski advanced runs after one day
  • Stops giving feedback and only tells you to ski faster

What you can do yourself

You can practice stance and balance at home with squats and balance work, and build comfort on the snow by walking and sliding on flat ground. Watching a few short videos of turns can help you see the basics. Hire an instructor for your first lessons, for steeper terrain and for any run where you feel out of control.

Licenses and permits

No license is usually required to teach skiing. Ask whether the instructor holds a certification from a ski instruction program and whether the resort requires instructors to carry insurance. Check with your state or local licensing agency only for rules that apply to the resort or the terrain you plan to ski.

Skiing lessons questions

Do I need my own equipment?

No. You can rent skis, boots and a helmet at most resorts. Renting first helps you find out what you like before you buy. Ask the instructor to check the fit of your boots.

Should my child take a group lesson or a private one?

Group lessons work well for children who like to ski with friends and learn at a steady pace. Private lessons suit children who need more time on one skill. Ask the ski school how it groups children by ability.

Do I need a helmet?

Many resorts and instructors strongly recommend a helmet, and some require one for lessons. Ask the ski school what it requires before your first lesson.

If my child takes a ski lesson, has the instructor passed a background check?

Many ski schools ask for one for instructors who teach children, and you can ask to see proof before your child's first lesson.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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