Before your first ski lesson you might think you don’t need it and that you can probably figure out skiing or snowboarding on your own. After your first ski lesson you might think you’ll never be able to stop taking lessons.
The question is then, how many ski lessons do you need to learn to ski?
Everyone is different, but the ASO Mammoth team has put together a short guide to how many ski lessons you need to learn to ski or snowboard. Read all about it below, then visit the ASO Mammoth shop for the best ski and snowboard rentals in Mammoth Lakes!
Take at Least One Lesson
Some people can’t imagine trying to ski or snowboard without lessons. Others are either confident due to experience in similar sports or have friends who offer to give them lessons, and as a result feel that they don’t need professional lessons.
No matter which camp you fall into, we recommend taking at least one ski or snowboard lesson with a professional instructor.
Even if you only take one lesson you will still get the instruction you need to create a solid foundation and be aware of bad habits you may be forming. Don’t assume that just because someone is great at skiing or snowboarding that they’re great at teaching skiing or snowboarding!
Spend a Half Day on Your Own, Then Decide if You Need a Second Lesson
We believe in the value of lessons for the reasons we stated above, but at the end of the day the best way to learn is to keep skiing.
As frustrating as falling and feeling out of control is, you have to do it over and over again in order to learn. An instructor will be able to tell you what you’re doing wrong and how to fix it, but you’re the one who will have to master the basics.
Spend a half day after your first lesson skiing on your own, see how much you’re progressing, and then decide if you need another lesson. If you do, then a private lesson may be best so that you can get one on one coaching with whatever you’re specifically struggling with.
If you take another lesson, see how you feel afterwards and ask the instructor if they would recommend you get another lesson.
Don’t Rule Out Lessons Down the Road
You might think that lessons are something you only need while you’re starting out, but as you progress they can also help you get better at specific types of skiing and snowboarding.
For example, if you want to get better at skiing in the park then a lesson with a park instructor will help you jumpstart your journey. The same could be said for backcountry riding. No matter what you end up doing while skiing and snowboarding, there’s always room to improve!