Yup, that's probably too much of an overstatement, i've been lucky; if you have a recommendation, take it.

(note: I teach at Whitetail)

Whitetail and Liberty each have over 200 instructors. If I had to guess, Roundtop and Wisp have slightly less. Don't forget Blue Knob (it's closer than Wisp). Each resort has some absolutely top notch pros. Each resort is also going to have a few stinkers. While one resort's teaching system might be better than anothers, the difference with respect to the quality of a group lesson will be neglible compared to the particular instructor you happen to get and the makeup of the group that you are put into and the conditions du jour. Although higher level lessons must be taught only by more qualified instructors, at the entry and intermediate level, the workload must be shared among who is available to teach.

If you're looking for private instruction, someone who was great for a friend might not work out well for you. If you are a higher level skier, you can take an advanced group lesson and very likely find a good pro who could be requested to teach a lower level private lesson. But some pros are better with groups than privates, or better with adults than kids, or better with women than men or better in good weather than bad, or better when it's not so crowded or when it is, and so on and so on. Your mileage may vary.

If you request an instructor who has a PSIA level 3 certification, that professional has demonstrated an extremely high skill level for skiing and extensive knowledge and skills for teaching. Although there are some level 3 pros who teach "bad" lessons to "some" people, the vast majority teach excellent lessons most of the time. Your odds are very good when requesting a level 3 pro without any other recommendations. You can expect about 3-7% of a ski school staff will have level 3 certification. There are also some outstanding level 2 certified instructors and non certified instructors at these resorts. For entry to intermediate lessons, these people can also do an outstanding job. Usually, about 10-20% of a ski schools staff will have level 2 certification.

Another consideration is which instructors train other instructors. At the PSIA level, these people are called Examiners or Clinic Leaders. At Liberty , there is a guy named Dave W. But since these people travel to other resorts, they can sometimes be hard to schedule. Resort trainers may or may not have level 3 certification, but they all have something special they bring to the table. Sometimes you can get a good recommendation out of a mediocre instructor by asking who they like to take clinics from.

Aside from recommendations from people with personal experience with an instructor, you can also hang out and observe pros in action. If you see one you like, walk up and ask for their name or card.

There are many pros that post here on DCski. If you like what they've written, maybe that can convince that they can teach a good lesson for you.

Finally, Whitetail, Liberty and RoundTop have been offering free group lessons before Christmas the last 2 seasons. Although there may not be a lot of snow on the mountain, you can use this offer as a shopping trip to find a good pro to establish a relationship with.


If you can tell us something more specific about what you are looking for, we might be able to come up with a specific recommendation for you.

Sure, I'm an advanced skier and I like to take a private lesson at least once a year to fine tune my movements and progress in certain areas. Without going into a long spiel I have taken 2 multi-hour lessons several years ago at Timberline & Liberty. Neither instructor was able to communicate clearly the movements he was trying to teach. Furthermore one of the instructors (can't remember which one) was trying to demonstrate 2-footed skiing but he lifted his inside foot at every turn. He also insisted I ski with a really wide stance which really didn't work for me. I think he was preaching the party-line (PSIA) but he couldn't really explain why I should do so.

At Lake Louise in 2001 I took a bump clinic. The instructor was an incredible skier but the entire 2 hr+ class consisted of him skiing and us either watching or following him. I am talking absolutely no feedback.

My wife took a private in Vermont as a Lvl 4-5 skier and that one reportedly consisted of her following the instructor with very little demonstration or feedback.

I have had one good experience by chance in NH and a several great experiences through recommendations out West and with Otto at Liberty.

Lessons are expensive so do your research and ask around.

BTW if anyone is going to Steamboat I can recommend an incredible Lvl 3 cert. instructor.

I am now looking for an instructor for a full-day private at either Alta or Snowbird so if anyone can recommend someone please feel free

(Well-so much for a non-long spiel-sorry )