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 Many of you will be familiar with the two usual approaches to
ski school; i.e. group lessons and private lessons. The pros and cons of these
are discussed elsewhere on the site. See the Frequently
Asked Questions, Monday
Morning Guide and Vallnord
Pricelist for more information on these. If you do want to take group or
private lessons it is easy enough to book at the ski school office when you
arrive - there is normally no need to book ahead.
What people often do not realise is that there is a third option
- the Vallnord Instructor Hire. This is advertised on the pricelist but rarely
taken advantage of, perhaps because the tour operators do not promote it. For €720
(or €770 in peak season) you can hire an instructor for your group of
up to six people. The hours are the same as group lessons (15 hours over five
days), but you get the full attention of the instructor for your small group.
The cost is a little more than group lessons, but you have more flexibility
- the instructor will do what you want to do. They may also be able to
vary the timetable slightly, provided it fits around their other lessons -
you could start on a Sunday rather than a Monday for example.
I taught a group a couple of weeks ago who took this option.
There were six children and seven adults, so they booked myself and another
instructor for the week, one for the adults and one for the children. The two
groups worked independently, but stayed in touch. Some days we agreed different
start and finish points, leaving both groups at a mountain restaurant at lunchtime.
We started early one day so we had time tto take the group over to Pal, and
then left both groups there together to spend the day there. We organised our
own race with two runs rather than one on the Thursday. None of this would
have been possible in group lessons where we have to start and finish close
to the ski school at set times.
On the Thursday it was Valentine's Day, so the gentlemen in the
group arranged for me to leave some bottles of Champagne at the Igloo mountain
restaurant. We stopped there for a break after the race. The ladies were were
a bit reluctant to stop but were impressed when the Champagne was brought out.
The photograph above shows the group sipping Champagne on the Igloo terrace
(from paper cups, but you can't have everything).
All in all, I would say that if you have a group of five or six
people this really does give you the best of both worlds. You get the personal
attention of a private lesson, combined with the week long progression and
fun of being in a group lesson.
If you are interested in the instructor hire, you can contact
the Ski School directly on 00376 836135, or you can click
here to contact us and we will arrange it with the School in person.
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