Private or group ski lesson: how to choose?
Pace, price, goals, children, groups of friends: the real pros and cons of each format so you can pick the one that suits you.
The Your Ski Instructor team
27 October 20263 min read
Private lesson or group lesson? It is one of the first questions skiers ask, especially when skiing as a family. There is no single right answer: it depends on your level, your budget, your personality and what you want to get out of it. Here is an honest comparison.
Group lessons: social and affordable
In a group lesson, several students of a similar level follow the same instructor at fixed times.
Pros
- A lower price per person.
- A friendly atmosphere, much loved by children and teenagers, who motivate each other.
- Simple organisation: times and place are set in advance.
Cons
- The pace is the group's: you sometimes go too fast or too slowly.
- The instructor has less time to correct each student.
- Times and meeting point are imposed.
- Students' levels can be uneven.
Private lessons: tailor-made
In a private lesson, the instructor looks after only you (or your family, or your group of friends).
Pros
- An adapted pace: if you're nervous, you go slowly; if you progress quickly, you move on to the next step.
- Precise, immediate corrections, so progress is often faster.
- Flexibility: you choose the day, the time and the meeting point, and you can work on one specific thing (short turns, deep snow, snowboarding, off-piste).
- Ideal for shy children, nervous adults, or someone coming back after an accident.
Cons
- The price per session is higher than a group lesson, even if it is shared.
- You need to book ahead, especially during school holidays.
Quick comparison
| Group | Private | |
|---|---|---|
| Pace | The group's | Yours |
| Instructor's attention | Shared | Full |
| Times and place | Imposed | Chosen by you |
| Price per person | Lower | Higher, can be shared |
| Ideal for | Sociable children, small budget | Fast progress, nerves, specific goals |
Private lessons for several people: often the best compromise
A private lesson doesn't have to be for one person. On Your Ski Instructor, many instructors set one price for 1 to 2 people (or more), with a modest supplement per extra person. For a couple, parents with a child or two friends of a similar level, the cost per person becomes very reasonable, with the instructor's full attention. The price and the number of people included are shown on each instructor's page.
Who should choose what?
- You're a nervous beginner: private, at least for the first session.
- You want to progress in a few days: private, or a mix (a private lesson first, then practice).
- Your children love skiing with other children: group can work very well.
- You want to work on one specific thing (snowboard, ski touring, off-piste, telemark): private, with a specialist instructor. See our ski lesson and snowboard lesson pages.
- You want flexible timing or a meeting point near where you stay: private.
Our advice
If your budget allows, start with a private lesson: you save time, build good foundations and then know better which level to choose next. If you're unsure about your level, read our guide to choosing your ski level.
Want to compare instructors in a resort? Find an instructor, read real clients' reviews and book directly.