A lot of people that are new to snow sports decide to get into it by taking a lesson. Head down to any local hill on a weekend and you’ll see hundreds of ski and snowboard students following instructors onto the slopes to improve their skills. Lessons are a great way to learn the basics in a fun and safe environment. But lessons aren’t just for beginners. Even the people who are giving the lessons still work on bettering their skiing and riding. Instructors take lessons to be better teachers and to improve their skiing and boarding.

Lessons are also a great idea when you’re tackling new terrain. Smaller local hills are usually lacking in bumps, steeps, and powder since they’re groomed every morning. Mountain groomers are fun to carve and work on pretty turns, but venturing out onto the moguls or attempting a tree run for the first time can go smoother with some coaching.

So, you’ve decided you want a lesson or two, but there’s so many options out there to choose from. Most hills will offer a variety of group, private, and semi-private lessons. Some factors to think about to help make your decision are price, what you want to get out of the lesson, and how many lessons you want to take.

Group lessons are a great option for those who are looking for a more economical choice. These are typically a multi-lesson format, where you’re divided into groups with others of similar skill levels. They are an especially great choice for beginners since you’ll get multiple lessons to build on the basics that you learn. Group lessons are also a fun way to meet new people that also love winter sports! Some hills offer specialty lessons such as Women-Only, Discovery lessons that are a one-off lesson for first-timers, and freestyle lessons for those wanting to explore rails and jumps.

Private lessons are a costlier approach, but you can tailor the lesson to get exactly what you want out of it. Because it’s only you in the lesson, the instructor can focus on exactly what you want to achieve and not spread their focus among several students. And most hills will let you request a specific instructor for the lesson, which is great to keep continuity if you plan on taking multiple lessons. Typically, these are a one-off lesson, but some hills offer multi-lesson bundles. If you’re visiting a mountain resort for the first time, a private lesson is a great way to have a personal tour-guide and conquer more challenging terrain under the watch of a professional.

A semi-private lesson is a great way to get the benefits of a private lesson, but you share it with a friend or two to reduce the cost. This option works best with people that are similar in skill level.

It might seem like good idea to get your buddy that has been skiing or riding for years to teach you, but instructors are typically certified by a governing board and have passed exams to be able to teach. They know the correct progression for the sports and unlike a friend, won’t pass on bad habits they don’t realize they have. That being said, friends can be great sources of information for secret powder stashes, their favorite base layers, and which mountain lodge has the best lunch BBQ.

So, if the opportunity to take a lesson comes your way, this should help point you in the right direction. And if in doubt, the lesson desk at any hill will be able to answer all your questions to ensure you get the right lesson to fit your needs.