Vail Ski & Snowboard School

I had a great experience with the most amazing ski instructor! Jill Roth thank you so much for taking me from being a beginner to a confident intermediate skier. I highly recommend Jill!!!

For a $ 200 lesson, I was underwhelmed.
We signed up our 3-​yr-​old daughter for her 2^nd lesson, her first being the previous week in Breckenridge, which went great.
From best I can tell, the instructors were really great with her and the «skiing» aspect of the day was just as hoped.
But the overall logistics of the place was very chaotic. Upon arrival, they told me my print-​outs were at a different desk, and made me carry my daughter halfway around the building. They then had all parents putting all the gear on all of the kids, prior to the day starting (which seemed a little odd since they weren’t going out on the snow right away). When I came to pick my daughter up, she was napping (which was good) and they brought her out still wearing her ski boots (I mean, who makes a 3-​yr-​old nap in ski boots?). All of her «stuff» was in a cubby out front in an entirely different location, including her change of clothes, blankie, etc which obviously were never used. But her skis were nowhere to be found. The main desk had me go outside to the ski instruction area to check, at which point the people in that location told me to go back inside and find the ski instructor. I didn’t know who the ski instructor actually was, but luckily the front desk person came back with me and helped me find somebody more helpful.
At any rate, I’m not sure we would go to this place again. A little kid’s ski place is going to be chaotic, but I would hope that they would at least keep my kids’ things together and let her nap with her boots off. Too many other mountains with much better attention to detail.

Wow they need to get organized here. I understand it’s early in the season before the TG holiday but really. $ 210 per day for ski school for young child with her own equipment. The wait line to check in is very long so get there at least a half hour before they tell you to arrive. No clear lines on where to go to register or if you are signed up and registered where to pay. My child has been admitted now for almost an hour and her skis still sit in the front of the building where anyone could walk off with them. I wonder when an instructor will pick them up so
She can actually ski. An expensive baby sitter perhaps. Not impressed.

Our kids, 6 and 10, loved it. This was their 3^rd time to go skiing and was by far the best experience for our kids. Very nice… First class operation. After the day was done… We asked them to rank their day on a scale of 1 – 10 and one said 10 and the other said 11. Thanks Vail ski school!!!

Kevin (one of the private instructors) was amazing! Before I forget to mention, this is an unbiased opinion, and do not know Kevin personally, but I HIGHLY a recommend him and request him if you are taking private ski lessons in Vail, CO!!!
He is very professional, courteous, patient, fun and he went above and beyond our expectations!
Kevin coordinated with me a week prior our trip to Vail. He gave me a summary of what our day will be like. He even made arrangements for our lunch break and made reservations to a restaurant near by.
For our ski lesson, he was so patient to our group. we had a party of 5 with h all different ski levels. Most of us are «ski virgins», he never gave up on us and at the end of the day everyone was comfortable on skis!
The next day a few of us are actually enjoying a run on the Greens!
Ski is a tough sport to learn, but the community is so great and supporting. Taking a lessons from an expert like Kevin is highly recommended and is worth the money! Thank you for a great day Kevin!

This is our second time in Vail. We truly enjoy the Vail experience but the ski school’s rules and restrictions leave much to be desired. For the prices that they charge they really do not offer many options for children. We have skied other mountains that are really much more family friendly In what they offer. A 3 – 5 year old may not make it an entire day and yet they offer no half lessons after they pass level one. As a pediatrician, I find this atrocious. In this age group, whoever made the rule knows nothing about children and only cares about money. We will not be back next year. There are many other ski schools that are a short drive away from Vail with much more family friendly options. What a disappointment. Not to mention that the green trails near golden peak are terrible.

I love Vail, but the Ski School let me down. It’s probably ok for beginners, but it’s a total waste of time and money if you’ve skied before.
Last year was the first year I had skied in 5 years. It took me a couple days to get my «snow legs» back. This year, I decided to take a lesson the first day of my trip to help polish up my technique and knock the rust off quicker. I’d hoped it would help me make more of my 4 day trip.
I’m a solid «Blue» skier. «Green» slopes bore me most of the time, easier «Blacks» are doable, but challenging. I signed up and paid for a lesson. I was given instructions to meet the school at Eagle’s Nest at 10:00. I was told the instructors would gauge my skills and put me in an appropriate group. I was also told that the groups averaged about six people.
I arrived as instructed. I tried to talk to several instructors about my level, but none of them wanted to discuss it with me. I was told to stand along a rope with «advanced to the left beginners to the right» and decide where I belong. How the ^&*% was I supposed to know where I fall compared to all the other skiers? I ended up in an «advanced intermediate» group with 12 others.
The lesson consisted entirely of the group following the instructor down beginner slopes in a single file line at a snails pace. Two thirds of the Supposedly «advanced intermediate» group were using wedge turns exclusively. I haven’t relied on wedge turns since I was 12. By lunchtime we still hadn’t gotten off of beginner slopes. I’m not judging my group mates, their skills are what they are, but Vail did us all a disservice by grouping skiers of all skill levels into a single group. No one had a chance to learn anything at their level.
In my four hours with the group, the instructor said maybe two sentences to me (Other than frequently yelling at me to «get back in line»). The only feedback I got was to keep my hips facing more downhill.
I «accidentally» lost the group at lunchtime. Looking at the «Epic Mix»: In about 45 minutes of skiing before I met the group I rode up and skied down 4 lifts, in three hours with the group we rode up and skied down 3 lifts, In the 3 hours after I left the group I rode up and skied down 8 lifts. Vail charges way too much for lift tickets and classes for them to be this useless.

I’ve lived in Colorado for almost 10 years and I’ve yet to ski.
I first thought to ask my ski friends to teach me, but figured to invest a $$ for a formal lesson and I’m happy I did.
I made the reservation online, which was easy and painless. Walked to the ski school, got my rentals a few feet away and I was ready. I was lucky enough to only have 2 other people in my class and an instructor who was training for the day, so I pretty much had the best of both worlds. It was nice to have a formal instructor who taught use all of the basics, by the end of the day I felt pretty good about my self (well at least on the beginner slope).

paid $ 195 for a day’s worth of group lesson and $ 300 something for a 3 day lesson. the instructor was very patient and helpful with my friends. private lessons are $ 815/​day so only do it if you have the money.
you definitely need lessons before you begin so consider them

I had never participated in a winter sport in my life when I enrolled in the half day beginner’s course. I met my instructor, Don Bissett, at the base of the mountain. He got to know us all then took us up in the gondola to the ski school. Don started with the very basics and has us all up skiing in no time. There were 6 of us in the class and we all got personal attention and feedback. We learned all the basics plus some more advanced stuff, and Don even made time to get us on the lift too to make sure we could get off and on without getting hurt. I had such a great experience and really got the basic skills I needed. When I joined my friends on the slopes the next day — all seasoned skiers and snowboarders — they were very impressed with my abilities and the skills I had learned. It was well worth the $ 140.

I had a fantastic experience with these guys on a half day (re)beginner lesson. My teacher was awesome, knowledgeable, and funny. Despite having 6 or 7 heads in the class, I got all the attention & guidance I needed — and I even got a report card at the end. My only regret is not getting to be on the mountain longer.
The total cost was about $ 140 for a lift ticket + lesson. Not bad considering a half day lift ticket is $ 100.
Definitely recommend these guys if you go to Vail!

I had a great snow board instructor. Very patient with me falling over and over. I would highly recommend him!

Awesome. My daughter went here and ended up in a private lesson for the group price. Skied the sun up bowl. Her skiing improved markedly from the day before after one day. Highly recommend.

it was my first time snowboarding so i needed to take some lessons! I ended up having 3 instructors due to scheduling conflicts/​ability. all the instructors were very friendly and personable but from a student/​learning standpoint, my favorite instructor would have to be davie. he was incredibly patient and very thorough with teaching the fundamentals. he provided great feedback and i didn’t feel rushed or intimidated. i would have loved to have had him all three days!
the environment is very casual and you can go at your own pace. i also loved how the lessons were at the top of the mountain instead of the bottom how it usually is!

The Vail Ski and Snowboard school is the best in the world. They only hire the best instructors. I hope Karen B went directly to a supervisor as that experience is unacceptable.
I was an instructor for twenty years and have the highest level of certification possible, yet, when I went to Vail to get a job they still gave me a ONE WEEK tryout.
I agree with Arwen about getting a lesson when you go. The lessons are all day and you will not only get great coaching but you will get a tour of the mountain that you couldn’t get on your own.
I no longer work there and have no connection with the place other than my great few years there five years ago.

Although my trip was fun, the ski lessons were disappointing and a waste of money. My ski instructor had only taught one season and never taught adults before. I took a full day of lessons and feel as though I only gained 20 sold minutes of learning. When I asked questions, she struggled to answer often guessing. Frequently, the response was «i don’t know how to explain it». Another instructor had to correct her after she told how how to posture ourselves on the skis. The only thing I learned was to wedge to stop but I was never taught how (how much, how quick, or where to apply the weight). I did okay but most of it was self-​taught the following day. A few other instructors had bits to add here and there. Often times, their styles would conflict and would make it that much more confusing.
I hope you have more luck. Have fun.

The Vail Ski and Snowboard school is a great place to learn how to ski! They have great packages for single and multiple days including lift tickets and rentals. The instructors are very friendly, patient and professional and do a good job in a group lesson helping everyone ski to their ability so some people don’t get bored and others don’t get pushed before they are ready.
The school has its own set of bunny slopes where you can learn and its not too crowded and you don’t have to worry about other more experienced skiers whizzing past you. The school is right on top of Vail mountain, so you get a fabulous view while you learn how to ski.
The one negative (same as Connie) is make sure that your ski boots are truly comfortable before you leave their rental shop. About half of our group, including me had boots that were too narrow, and it dampens the fun if your foot is cramping the whole time.

The Vail Ski and Snowboard School offers a variety of classes, starting with one day classes to passes for multiple days. They also have packages that include just lessons or the lift tickets and rentals. I was actually disappointed because my ski boots didn’t fit very well and my feet went numb. But that negative was offset by how friendly and informative the instructor was. He really made the lesson fun and helped everyone learn. I definently would use the Ski School again for lessons. I think the best value is the 3 day for $ 200! (lift tickets per day are $ 65 in the off season). Next time I want to try the Snowboarding. Don’t forget that they have classes for children (the little ones catch on so quick!) and teens.