One of our top tips from our pre-arrival Concierge Team is to book ski lessons. Whether you are a novice, a carving expert or a snowboarding powder hound, you will always take away at least one tip from your ski instructor. We work with the best suppliers in Verbier, who can offer children’s ski school, adult group lessons and private lessons for both skiers and snowboarders. If you are a confident skier, why not book a guide to show you the best slopes and hidden secrets around the 4 Vallees? For the pros, why not take advantage of the infamous off-piste in Verbier and book an off-piste lesson? We interviewed our partners at Altitude Ski School and Performance Verbier to learn a little more about the service they offer….
What lessons does Altitude Ski School offer?
The beauty of Altitude Ski and Snowboard School is that we have something for everyone. Our school offers private and group lessons in both skiing and snowboarding for all ages and abilities, starting from just 2 years of age. Our clients can benefit from private lessons for children and adults, children or adult group lessons, our weekend club for local children. We have instructors that specialise in racing, freestyle, mogul skiing and with adaptive qualifications, teaching in over ten different languages. It goes without saying that all of our instructors know the mountain like the back of their hand and are able to help you find the best restaurants, the best snow and the best slopes for your ability level.
Why are ski lessons important for both beginners and intermediate skiers?
Learning the fundamentals of winter sports in a safe environment is very important, especially for those for whom this is a brand-new experience. At Altitude, we prioritise the safety and enjoyment for all mountain users. Taking lessons will enhance your holiday experience by helping you to improve in your chosen winter sport with confidence, make the most of the terrain appropriate to your level and provide you with the tools you need to continue to build on your ski or snowboarding skills.
What can more experienced skiers gain from having ski lessons?
Continued development of alpine sports is very addictive. It’s also very easy to find yourself in a ‘rut’ or on the infamous ‘intermediate plateau’ if you stop taking lessons, questioning why you spend most of the time on the same runs or why your confidence and technique isn’t improving. Bad habits can also start to creep in which you may not even be aware of. Continuing to train with an instructor and develop your technique can open up more of the mountain to you and help you make the most of your time on the snow. Experienced skiers often want different things from lessons, maybe to work on a specific area of their skiing, or a specific type of terrain. At Altitude, our instructors learn about the students expectations and needs, adapting to what they want to achieve during their lesson time.
What are your top tips for ski lessons?
My top tips for ski lessons are to relax and enjoy it! Before you arrive, have a think about what you want to achieve so you can discuss this with your instructor at the start of the session. Remember, you are around an industry professional, so ask them any questions you may have and take full advantage of your time together. Lastly, don’t panic if you do not feel prepared, the instructor will go at your pace and work to make you feel as comfortable as possible.
What can we expect during a full days lesson with Performance Ski School?
The concept of our full day lesson is more of a concierge service. We want to provide a bespoke experience for the clients so we will initially find out their requirements. We’ll make sure they get to see as much of the mountain as possible and help organise a special lunch and après ski if required. We want the clients to think of us as a their personal assistant so that they can focus on enjoying everything that the mountain and the resort has to offer.
How do guests decide between a full day or half day lessons?
This is a tough one as it very much depends on what the requirements are, for example number of people involved and budget. Normally full day lessons are taken in conjunction with a bit of guiding as well as teaching and will give you more freedom to venture out of Verbier and explore the 4 Vallees. Half days are much more likely to be for children during the holidays season or people who specifically desire to improve. If you just need a few hours of guidance whilst you get your ski legs back – a half day will suit you! Or perhaps you would like a relaxing morning in your chalet and just to ski in the afternoons?
What if our guests want to go off-piste? Is that something you offer?
Our instructors at Powder Extreme are full certified Swiss instructors that can teach off-piste. Once our clients are at the point of looking for more of a challenge our instructors can help them make that transition from the piste to powder. We endeavour to help clients to make the most of the conditions in a safe environment.
What would you advise our guests bring with them for a ski lesson?
Bring your smile, and we’ll do the rest
Once you have booked your chalet, speak with your Concierge Manager about your skiing ability and they will advise the best ski/snowboard lesson option for you!
