Private or group lessons for children?

[citykat]

Grateful for any experiences on this please. Children will be 13,10 and very nearly 7 when we ski next Easter. They've each done 1 week in ski school, one star ESF. Our next trip is DIY so I need to sort the lessons. I can't decide whether to go for group lessons where because of their age there's a good chance they'll be split up, or get a private instructor who will have to deal with their differing ability. Would they all start together in group lessons then be split up based on ability? Or is it always by age? The 13 year old is probably the most cautious and maybe there are not that many newcomers of that age compared to the 6 year old? They say they want to be together, but if one really clicks with skiing ( likely to be the 10 year old) will she better off in a group lesson or private with her slower/ younger siblings. Welcome any thoughts. Both ESF and ESI available in the resort.
Thanks v much

[Artandco]

I always book private lessons for mine. But they are only 1 year apart so it works. Mine are 5 and 6 and have Been in lessons since 2 years. They won't be in lessons this year and will just ski with us

I think the instructor will expect both 10 and 13 year old to have a half day learning on nursery slopes then be straight onto blue runs with them. The 6 year old soon after.

Most won't do more than two people in a private lesson as otherwise it becomes a group lesson. So you would probably need at least two instructors anyway

if they have skiied before can they just have one or two days catch up then ski with you?

[citykat]

Thanks. They did ski school
last year in the mornings and skied with us in afternoons. We selfishly want 2 hours skiing by ourselves plus we got in better taking them where they'd been with the instructor iyswim-less stressful. I will see what ESI can do re private lessons for 3, if it can't be done they will have to cope in groups possibly by themselves.

[dontcallmethatyoucunt]

We've had 4 in a private lesson, they were all the same age though. We hired our own instructor for the week as the cost wasn't far different to group lessons on a per hour basis.

I think the difference between 6 and 13 is likely to be too great though for them too get the max out of it (if indeed they will take them). However, group lessons are slower anyway so it swings and roundabouts.

[massistar]

My 6 year old was in private group lessons with friends.. She was the most advanced skiier but she really struggled to keep up with the older ones as they were so much bigger and stronger than her.

[namechangedtoday15]

Last year we had private lessons for our 3 children (6, 10 and 10). Instructor was fab - no problem with having 3 in a private lesson - all 3 got much more out of it than they would have in a ski school group of 6 and 8. I think they actually did much more skiing too - not so much stopping / waiting for the group to catch up. My children weren't massively different in ability - I don't think yours will be either OP if they've all just done one week in ski school. Worked really well.

[citykat]

Thank you. I asked them today and they were unanimous that the other children last year fell over too much and they'd rather be together! I am not too concerned about the 6 year old being too tired- physically very strong for her age and has plenty of stamina. The 13 year old is more likely to be asleep in class.
I have had a quote from an independent ski school ( got details from snow heads forum which is another fab source of info on ski stuff) it sounds reasonable. Having planned whole trip around closeness to ski school
meeting point am slightly irritated that this company meets elsewhere but hey ho you can't have it all. Thanks for your comments and input everyone, much appreciated.

[WhisperingLoudly]

IME group is best for kids - ski school are very good at ensuring kids are in the right group for their level and the group environment really pushes the children on. Especially good if you have a somewhat reluctant child.

The main disadvantage of having them in a private together is that it will likely only take a couple of days before the older kids are way ahead of the 6 year old - I've got similarly spaced children (5, 10 & 11) and once the basics were mastered the older two progressed much faster than my youngest.

[LyndaNotLinda]

Surely if you have a private instructor, they will meet you where you want to meet them! Well, they should do!

I think that age gap can work well if it fits with the children's personalities. There are lots of different ways to come down the same piste after all