Parents who have taken LO skiing - question

We are taking DS, who is 3, for the first time skiing this weekend. I'm debating about whether to put him in the group lesson, which is 3 hours, or getting him a private lesson, which is 1 hour. My initial thought is that the group lesson is best but my concern is the cold. Do they stop the lessons for a few minutes to let the kids warm up? What has been your experience and your recommendations? Thanks!

Re: Parents who have taken LO skiing - question

From what I understand from family/friends who have been taking their kids since they were toddlers, they take LOTS of hot cocoa breaks during the group lesson. I would imagine they'd make sure to keep the kids comfortable and safe.

Re: Parents who have taken LO skiing - question

My kids have been in ski school since 3...I think the peer aspect was always a positive for them. They liked making friends and playing with the other kids, so I would go for the group lesson.

Parents who have taken LO skiing - question

For a complete beginner I would absolutely do private the first few times. An hour is plenty. It is very cold, and there is a lot of standing and waiting your turn in a group. An hour one on one with an instructor will give him some confidence. Once they are a little bit comfortable on skis, then put them into the group program.

Re: Parents who have taken LO skiing - question

Here's my take. If you plan on skiing, put him in ski school. If you are just taking him just to get out there for the first time, do a private lesson. My kids have done both. They liked the one on one attention of a private, but they have so much fun and make friends in ski school. I'm in Virginia right now and my kids did ski school this morning for 4.5 hours. It's freezing down here. They took them in after about an hour for hot chocolate. Then they brought them out for another 1.5 hours and back in for lunch. Then they went out for another hour or so.

Message edited 2/23/2015 7:27:25 AM.

Parents who have taken LO skiing - question

For a 3 year old I would do a private lesson - 3 hours at that age is too long a block

my 3 year olds - go all day but they only ski an hour in the morning and hour in the afternoon - they play in the snow, have lunch, ride the gondoloa - my 3 year olds also skate and legs are ok

my older I did a private at that age because he did not like ski school - my younger ones love it

if you are a good skier I recommend getting a trainer - the type that attaches around their boots - it helps control them when you are off the baby hill and teach them to engage the turn - the edgie wedgie - helps keep their tips in the right form

also with 3 I find my boys like to go every other day when we ski and not every day to ski school

Re: Parents who have taken LO skiing - question

Thanks everyone! Well I ended up doing a little bit of everything. I started with the group because I thought he would do better with other kids. The instructor told me he thought group would be better for him too. He cried the whole time so he ended up with 1:1 just because the poor girl had to tend to him. They ended up calling me 45 minutes into the 3 hour lesson.

It was way too cold and the wind was whipping yesterday. It was not a good first experience. The manager of the ski school was really nice and voluntarily gave me a full refund. I think he felt bad for me because I was so disappointed. He told me my son is a young 3 and sometimes they aren't ready yet. My DS is a small little guy and a little immature I guess. He was deinitely the baby of the group of 3-5 year olds. I'm going to try again in March when it's warmer. We were so mad we weren't skiing today when it was a perfect ski weather.