One-on-one lessons might be the best choice for folks who already know how to ski and want to perfect their technique. For everyone else, join group lessons. — dpa
Usually, at ski resorts it is the small children and those slightly older who dominate the scene on the beginners slopes.
The youngsters are usually practising the basic snow plow position on an easy slope. Virtually every ski region has skiing schools – not just for the kids, but also for adults getting a late start with the sport.
The good news for any age group is that, even though your winter holiday will one day be over, by the end of it you will finish it with your first downhill runs, according to Martin Brandlhuber of the German Ski Federation.
But, as is the case everywhere, there are the exceptions which confirm the rule, he points out in a Q&A interview.
Ski schools mostly offer both group and individual instruction. As a general question, which is the better choice for someone first learning to ski?
Brandlhuber: For children in particular group instruction always makes more sense. This applies likewise to adults who are beginners, since group dynamics are very, very important and good in order to persevere.
Depending on the offering, you can spend three, or even five, days in a skiing school. Individual instruction is recommended for those who already can ski.
For example, those who are getting back into the sport and want to refresh what they know. Or those who want to improve their technique in some very specific aspects. From what age can children enter a ski school, and is it true that they learn faster than adults?
Brandlhuber: Well, they should be toilet trained (laughs). We take them on starting at three-and-a-half to four years of age. With them, we’ll spend perhaps two hours a day. When the children are older, say five or six years, we can increase the number of hours.
As to the learning process, children are more receptive. With them, a lot functions more in a playful way and through unconscious learning.
Grown-ups learn differently. Often they want to see, hear and feel everything once.
Independent of age, our goal in the skiing school is that after three days, or five at the latest, beginners can ski down the blue – the easy – slopes. And if things go well, even ski down the red, or intermediate, slopes.
Does it always work out that way?
Brandlhuber: The success rate in skiing schools is usually very high. But exceptions do confirm the rule. Perhaps the weather has been too cold and wet, or the learner’s physical strength is not up to the task. Then it can be difficult for the individual.
Those who are active in their everyday life and who bring a bit of physical strength and coordination with them will certainly have it easier.
Then there are external factors: If the weather is good and the slope well-prepared with sufficient snow, then you can try out a more difficult ski run than say, if the weather is bad and the slopes are icy.
In this case, even a blue-designated slope can be difficult to manage. – Tom Nebe/dpa
