Nendaz

Three days worth of private lessons should get you off to a good start. It’s long enough that you can start to work on your skills and with your instructor's help, hone that muscle memory so that you can stand on your skis with confidence. Depending on how you take to the sport you may be up and out of the beginner area and exploring the mountain in no time.

Skiing is an extreme sport, so it’s best to start in the right area on the mountain and know a little about the equipment to make the best use of it. To make good progress, you really do need lessons. Although it’s possible to muddle through these first steps without an instructor, it’s certainly not easy, and it can lead to unnecessary injury. Bad habits picked up along the way can have a knock-on effect later on, and they can be challenging to unpick later in the process.

It shouldn't be. If you learn in the right area, on a shallow beginners slope with the help of an instructor, learning to ski doesn’t need to be dangerous at all. It is always worth being aware of your surroundings and being vocal about your comfort zones. There are other people on the mountain too, so you need to keep an eye on what’s going on around you. Learning to ski without an instructor is more dangerous; an experienced instructor will help keep you safe and progress in the right way.

If you already do other sports, you may be a natural! For some, the movements and balance needed for skiing may come quickly, in which case you may need a few introductory lessons to get started. For others, it may take a little longer. Either way, your first lesson will be spent getting used to the sensation of standing and sliding on your skis. Then you can begin to control your speed and direction. From your very first lesson, you will start to see why being a skier is so special.

No doubt! Learning to ski isn’t just for kids. Plenty of people pick up the sport at all ages, and there’s no time limit on it. Here at European Snowsport, we have a variety of instructors who can cater for any learner, confident or nervous. We make sure you can learn at your pace in a way that suits you.

Learning to ski is often a case of mind over matter. Anyone can learn, no matter their age. Here at ES, we teach little ones as soon as they can stand, all the way through to their grandparents who want to share a snow experience with their families. You are never too old to learn to ski.

Private lessons are all about you. People learn in different ways, at different speeds. This becomes particularly apparent when progressing away from the beginner slope. A private lesson can be tailored flexibly to you. Take the lesson in the direction you want and discuss your goals with your instructor more closely. Private lessons do not have to be one-on-one either; with European Snowsport, the cost of a private lesson doesn’t go up if you add more people!

Whether it’s the first time you’ve clipped into a ski binding or you’re looking for a way to tackle the moguls for the first time, an experienced instructor can ensure you stay safe, grow in confidence, and avoid picking up bad habits. Even if you don’t want to learn anything specific, taking an instructor to guide you around the resort and show you the best runs and restaurants will make sure that you make the most of your time on the mountain and find the best snow and best runs for your ability.

Lessons are essential for beginners, it is the only way to get going on the snow safely and with confidence. Gentle guidance through those first few steps with an instructor can save you time and money, avoid unnecessary embarrassment and prevent injury. If you can already ski to a reasonable level, a lesson could give you the little bit of help you need to escape your most recent learning plateau.