🚀 go-pugleaf

> NOW THE REAL QUESTIONS:
> What experiences have people had with the various downhill teaching
> methods?  Is one method preferable for quick learning?  How do I know
> the ski school will really use the method advertised and not just give
> some snazzy initials to each instructor doing their own thing?
> Are private lessons worthwhile for a beginner?
> 

I have been skiing two years now, and I took lessons, and would highly
reccommend (sp) taking lessons from a qualified instructor.  I have been
in Vail both times, and I think the instructors there are wonderful (I
also heard before I went there that they are the best).  The first year
that I went, I took two days of group lessons.  This was enough to get
me down the mountains, not always gracefully, but down, never-the-less.
They have rates there on their 3-day lessons, but I only had 3 days to 
ski, and I wanted to go for it with some of my friends. 

The next year that I went (back to Vail), I took a private lesson with
one other friend.  We were on different levels, so we each took 1/2 day
with the instructor.  This was great.  At first, the instructor skiied
ahead of me.  I was to observe (without falling too much!).  Then after
a while, she skiied behind me, and coached me in and out of the blue
(intermediate) and even a couple of black (expert) slopes.  I think the
private lessons are great, but I wasn't exactly a beginner (just a near
beginner) when I took them.  Also, they are expensive. 

The ski schools in Vail and Beaver Creek are run by Vail Associates, and
each instructor IS qualified, not to mention nice to talk to on the chair
lifts.


m.e. middleton
-- 

M.E. Middleton
COSI Texas, Inc.
4412 Spicewood Springs #801
Austin, TX 78759 USA

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