If you are planning your first ski holiday or finally want to polish your technique, a ski school is the fastest and safest way onto the slopes. Before their first lesson, however, many people have no idea what to expect: how the hour unfolds, what to pack, how much a lesson costs and how to recognise a good school. In this article we walk you through a private lesson step by step – from booking to the final feedback – exactly as it happens with us at Premiere in the High Tatras.
Ski school: why a private lesson pays off
Group courses have one big weakness: the instructor looks after six to ten people at once and the pace is set by the slowest member. That is why at the Premiere ski school we teach exclusively private lessons – the instructor focuses on you or your family for the entire hour. The lesson is tailored to your age, fitness and goals, so you progress much faster and without unnecessary stress. We teach both skiing and snowboarding and accept children from the age of 3.
Our school is backed by more than 20 years of experience and a team of over 30 certified instructors who speak English, Slovak, Czech and Polish. Clients rate us 4.8 stars on Google based on 216 reviews. If you are curious how learning from absolute zero works, read our guide How to learn to ski.
A private lesson step by step
1. Booking and arrival. Book your slot by phone on +421 911 561 561 or online – we are available daily from 8:00 to 21:00. We recommend arriving at least 15 minutes early so you can collect your gear and put your boots on without rushing. If you need a ski pass, buy it online via gopass.travel or directly on the resort website vt.sk.
2. Introductions and warm-up. The instructor first chats with you about your experience and expectations: have you ever stood on skis? Are you nervous about speed? Do you want to master carving? A short warm-up follows – warm muscles mean a lower risk of falls and injury.
3. First steps on a gentle slope. Beginners start on gentle, safe terrain. In Starý Smokovec that means Jakubkova lúka, a meadow practically made for children and first turns; in Tatranská Lomnica the instructor picks the mildest terrain available. You will learn the correct stance, walking on skis, stopping safely with a snowplough and your first turns. Advanced skiers head straight to the piste and work on technique.
4. Riding and refining technique. You spend most of the lesson actively skiing. The instructor rides with you, corrects details in real time and gradually raises the bar – moving from the snowplough to parallel turns, working with your centre of gravity, using the edges. With children we use games and teaching aids so the lesson feels like fun, not drill.
5. Wrap-up, feedback and a plan. At the end of the hour the instructor sums up what you have mastered and recommends what to work on next – on your own or in a follow-up lesson. With multi-day tuition the lessons build on each other, and booking 3 days earns you a 5% discount, 6 or more days 10%.
One final tip: if you can, book your lesson for the morning. The slope is freshly groomed, less crowded and children are still full of energy. And bear in mind that a 90-minute lesson is the ideal compromise for most beginners – an hour flies by, while two hours can be tiring for complete novices.
What to bring to your lesson
- Ski clothing – a waterproof jacket and trousers, thermal base layers, warm socks (one thinner pair beats two thick ones).
- Gloves and goggles – essential on the slope; sunglasses are not enough when it snows.
- Sunscreen – the mountain sun burns even in January.
- Water and a small snack – especially for children.
- Ski pass – depending on where the lesson takes place; your instructor will advise which type you need.
- No need to worry about a helmet – we lend one free of charge with every lesson.
No equipment of your own? No problem. Our ski and snowboard rental in Tatranská Lomnica is an official Rossignol Test Centre – a complete set starts at €24 per day and we fit everything on the spot right before your lesson.
How to choose a ski school
The choice of ski schools in the Tatras is wide, but quality varies. When choosing, pay attention above all to:
- Instructor certification. Our instructors are certified by APUL – a guarantee of proven methodology and safety.
- Languages. If you are booking a lesson for foreign visitors, check that the instructor speaks their language. We teach in English, Slovak, Czech and Polish.
- A transparent price list. A reputable school publishes its prices up front, including surcharges for additional people – you know exactly what you will pay.
- Reviews from real clients. Google ratings say more than any advert.
- Suitable terrain. For children and beginners a gentle, safe slope is key – exactly what Jakubkova lúka in Starý Smokovec offers.
If you are choosing a lesson for a child, we also recommend the article Ski courses for children with tips by age group.
How much a lesson costs and what is included
In Tatranská Lomnica a private lesson costs €44 for 60 minutes, €63 for 90 minutes (our most popular option) and €77 for 120 minutes. Each additional person pays only +€17, so a lesson for two works out far better value than two separate ones. In Starý Smokovec you pay €44 for 60 minutes and €77 for 120 minutes; guests of Hotel Atrium enjoy a reduced rate of €37 and €66 respectively. An additional person here is +€10 for 60 minutes and +€15 for 120 minutes.
The price always includes the full attention of a certified instructor and a free helmet. The ski pass and equipment are paid separately. You will find the complete, always up-to-date overview in our lesson price list.
Where to find us and how to book
We teach at two locations in the High Tatras: in Tatranská Lomnica (Tatranská Lomnica 62) and in Starý Smokovec at Jakubkova lúka next to Hotel Atrium. You will find details of both spots, including maps, on our locations page, and if you are deciding between them, our article on the ski school in Tatranská Lomnica will help.
The season runs roughly from December to March or April, depending on snow conditions. We are open daily from 8:00 to 21:00 – call +421 911 561 561 and book your slot before the most popular times fill up. See you on the slopes!
