Private Lesson vs. Group

Question

My 2 children (10m,12f) and I will be travelling to Steamboat in late March. They have only skied one time before at Copper and had a private lesson that went well. Do you all think it would be best to book another private lesson for them to learn together, or would a group lesson (limited to 5) be sufficient? Just curious on people's thoughts.

Answer

For children with very limited skiing experience, like your 10-year-old and 12-year-old, the decision between private and group lessons in Steamboat can make a significant difference in both their skill development and confidence on the slopes.

Private lessons: Since your kids had a positive experience with a private lesson at Copper, repeating this option has clear benefits. A private lesson allows the instructor to focus entirely on your children, tailoring the pace, terrain, and teaching methods to their individual abilities. This is especially useful if your children learn at different speeds or need more encouragement and attention. Additionally, it can be more relaxed and fun for them, since there is less pressure to keep up with other kids.

Group lessons: Steamboat limits small group lessons to around five participants, which is beneficial for beginners. These lessons offer social interaction and a chance to learn alongside peers, which some children enjoy and find motivating. The cost is lower than private lessons, and instructors are experienced in managing small groups to keep everyone progressing safely. However, even with a small group, the instructor’s attention is divided, so if your children are beginners, progress may be slower than in a private session.

Consider the following when deciding:

If your children are confident, independent, and motivated by social learning, a group lesson can be sufficient and enjoyable.
If your children need individualized attention, reassurance, or have different learning paces, a private lesson will likely be more effective and build confidence faster.
Since you mentioned they had a successful private lesson before, continuing with that method may make the experience smoother and more fun.
Private lessons also allow flexibility in timing and location on the mountain, which can be advantageous in late March conditions as snow coverage can vary.

Another option is to do a hybrid approach: start with a private lesson to get them comfortable and confident, and then transition to a small group lesson for social interaction and practice. This can provide the best of both worlds, balancing individualized attention with peer learning.

In summary, for beginners with only one prior experience, private lessons are often recommended for faster skill development, safety, and confidence. Group lessons work if your children are comfortable following a pace set by the instructor and enjoy learning with peers, but you may need to be patient with progress.