Private Lessons: Deciding When and Making them Count

If there were one thing I wanted to achieve with Ultraskier when I first had the idea, it was to get more intermediate and advanced skiers into lessons. All my life, whether working as an instructor or not, I've ridden the lift and seen people who could reap huge benefits from a targetted, tailored ski lesson. And yet, my experience has shown me that these people rarely show up for lessons. And when they do, they often don't make the most of the experience.

Recently, while home visiting my parents in Stowe, I had a chance to ski with one of their friends. A life-long skier, and a darn good skier too. It was bitter cold, so we only had time for a 10-minute lesson. Even so, by bringing a pair of fresh eyes to Lynn's skiing, I was able to give a few little tips that he estimated took two seconds off his time in the weekly ski bum races. Stowe has one of the finest ski schools around and my dad's friend even knows a lot of instructors, most probably better teachers than me, but it hadn't occurred that a lesson would help.

It does, and it makes skiing more fun. So here's a two-parter:

• Are you a skier who could benefit from a private ski lesson?
• What to expect and how to prepare for your private ski lesson.