Private Ski Lesson or Group for Kids: What Is Better?

Every family planning a ski holiday faces the same choice: send the children to a group ski school, or book a private instructor? We only teach privately and in small semi-private groups, so we are not neutral. But we tell parents regularly that a group is the better choice for their child. Here is how to decide.

What group lessons do well

• Price per hour: a group spreads the instructor's time over many children, so a morning costs less per child.
• Other children: some kids learn faster by copying friends and love the social side.
• A fixed routine: same time, same place, every day of the week – easy to plan for parents.

What private lessons do well

• One child's pace: the lesson follows your child's energy, mood and fears, not the average of a group.
• More time on skis: no waiting in line for the others, so every minute counts.
• The very young: toddlers of 2 or 3 rarely cope with a group; a private hour built around play works far better.
• Shy or scared children: a child who had a bad first experience often needs one calm adult to rebuild confidence.
• Family time: siblings, cousins or parents can share one lesson and progress together.

What it really costs

Private prices look high next to group prices, until you share them. With us, a two-hour private lesson costs CHF 160 in low season and CHF 190 in high season for one or two people. Two siblings sharing it pay CHF 80 to 95 each for two hours with their own instructor. A third or fourth person adds only CHF 20 and CHF 10.

For young children there are dedicated formats: Mini Discovery (ages 2-4, one hour, CHF 60), Snow Cubs (ages 2-3, one hour, CHF 80 / 90) and Snow Explorers (ages 4-5, one and a half hours, CHF 120 / 135).

The middle way: semi-private

When families with children of a similar level are in the resort at the same time, we group them into small semi-private lessons. A two-hour semi-private lesson costs CHF 120 / 140 per person for up to two people, or CHF 95 / 115 per person from three people. You get a small group, never a large one, and still an instructor who knows every child's name.

Which children benefit most from private lessons

• Under 4: attention spans are short, and a group moves at a pace a toddler cannot follow.
• First-timers who are nervous: confidence comes first, technique second.
• Children who got stuck: a private lesson can unlock one specific fear, such as a steeper slope or a chairlift.
• Families who want to ski together: parents join the lesson and learn how to support their kids afterwards.

Good to know for high season

From December 20 to January 6 and from February 7 to March 7, private morning lessons are booked as at least three consecutive mornings. Afternoon lessons can always be booked one at a time. If your budget is tight, afternoons in high season or any time in low season give you the most flexibility.

Our honest take

If your child is 6 or older, confident, and loves being with other kids, a good group can be a great choice. If your child is very young, anxious, or you want to share the mountain as a family, a private or semi-private lesson is worth it. Not sure? Tell Rox about your child and she will give you a straight answer – even if it is not us.