I guess it really does depend on what mountain you ski, as I can see how Jackson Hole might be a place people would want more a guide type experience.
Big Sky offers both ski lessons and a guide service for about the same price/hour. Perhaps this is why our instructors seem clear on that fact that people taking private lessons want to learn.
Unfortunately next week is the last weekend and no one did a collection; last night was a finale gathering. I saw individuals had started handing out at class yesterday, so it seems that is the way we are going.I was in a program like that years ago. They collected a pot for everyone. You gave what you thought was good.
Not that it helps you now, my seasonal group did pool a tip. That is those of us who are there for most of the season. A lot of the people were repeat customers so they organized it. I understand some people didn’t tip and some people tipped less as they were there less time. Since the writing was pretty much on the wall about season conditions we had our group lunch last Thursday. Our main instructor, who we gave 70% of the pool, had lunch with us. We are supposed to be going until March 31 but that seems highly unlikely! The way it’s looking now I may not last the week up here. Or play a little and pack a little.Unfortunately next week is the last weekend and no one did a collection; last night was a finale gathering. I saw individuals had started handing out at class yesterday, so it seems that is the way we are going.
I decided to tip all instructors; took a little over 20% and divvied it based on how much I skied with them.
No kidding?! I'm heading out to Big Sky next week, that sounds amazing. Do you happen to know if you need a backcountry setup, or is it inbounds?Big Sky offers both ski lessons and a guide service for about the same price/hour. Perhaps this is why our instructors seem clear on that fact that people taking private lessons want to learn.
The post you read was from 2012. Check the Big Sky website to get an idea of what is happening in 2022. Fair to say that a lot has changed in the ski industry in the last decade. For Big Sky, there have been significant changes in the last 2-3 years, with more to come in buy 2030.No kidding?! I'm heading out to Big Sky next week, that sounds amazing. Do you happen to know if you need a backcountry setup, or is it inbounds?
SMH omg....lol thanks for the heads up. Reminder to self to check dates.The post you read was from 2012. Check the Big Sky website to get an idea of what is happening in 2022. Fair to say that a lot has changed in the ski industry in the last decade. For Big Sky, there have been significant changes in the last 2-3 years, with more to come in buy 2030.
For relatively inexpensive lessons or a Ridge Guide for expert terrain, check out what Bridger has to offer. It's about a 90 min drive from Big Sky. Can be worth a day trip.
What terrain do you do off Lone Peak? If you aren't doing any of the expert chutes there, then the Ridge at Bridger may not be the best fit.Darn, Bridger's guide service is only for experts. :( I ~can~ do expert terrain, but I'm NOT an expert skier.
Tipping is more common at destination resorts. A friend who taught at Deer Valley for a season (very experience Level 3) got some pretty large tips for semi-private full day lessons.Wow.
I wish my 17 year old ski instructor daughter was getting tips like that. Or tips at all!
LOL Yeah no. I'm not doing expert chutes ANYWHERE. I used to be advanced, but I think I have backslid into an intermediate over the years. Maybe even low intermediate. I do blacks and double blacks, but not smoothly.What terrain do you do off Lone Peak? If you aren't doing any of the expert chutes there, then the Ridge at Bridger may not be the best fit.
The Guides at Bridger take people up to the Ridge. Either the short, steep hike in the middle or riding up the Schlasman's chair lift at the far end. When you are at Bridger, it's pretty easy to see all the terrain off the Ridge from one place or another. Avy gear is required to ride Schlasman's. Bridger rents beacons.
If you do a lesson at Bridger, there is plenty of challenging terrain reached by going out a gate after riding up the Bridger lift. My ski buddy and I had quite an adventure with Ric Blevins the last time we were at Bridger. He started by asking questions to make sure we could handle traverses that are narrow, not straight, not necessarily flat, and go down and then up, meaning you have to go fast. Definitely not somewhere I would've been happy the first couple seasons I did lessons with Ric about ten years ago.