The 10 Highest Ski/Snowboard Lesson Prices In North America for 2022-23
Over 25 North American resorts now charge over $1,000 for a 1-day private ski or snowboard lesson.
By Nir Golan
It’s an unfortunate reality that skiing and snowboarding are generally expensive sports — from equipment, to travel, to mountain access, the prices of the activities keep reaching astronomical new heights. But for many who have followed the industry closely, the single most glaring out-of-control cost example has been that of private ski lessons, which guests often purchase to receive personalized ski lesson experiences dedicated to their specific needs. While single-day lift ticket prices at many destinations are already absurd in and of themselves, full-day lesson costs approach an entirely different tier of insanity. In this article, we’ll highlight the top 10 highest-priced private ski lessons on sale this season in North America, as well as our thoughts on the value of each package.
#10: Palisades Tahoe
Top 1-Day Lesson Price: $1,200
With Lift Ticket: $1,469
As one of two resorts on this list that are located in the Lake Tahoe area, Palisades Tahoe is a premier destination offering compelling vast size, expert-level terrain, a long spring skiing season, and a striking mountain aesthetic (for a full review of the Olympic Valley side, read or watch here; for a full review of the Alpine Meadows side, read or watch here). The resort consists of two sides, Olympic Valley and Alpine Meadows, that offer a combined 4,030 skiable acres (according to our calculations) and are newly-linked by a groundbreaking, base-to-base gondola for the 2022-2023 season. Even if Palisades is a strong option for a ski trip, you might want to think twice before visiting if you plan to book a private lesson there, as prices top out at $1,200 for the “North Face Guides” ski lesson and $1,090 for regular private lessons. Instead, you might want to consider a half-day group lesson at the resort, especially if you don’t have a season pass or equipment, as this option offers a compelling value for that total bundle.
Private lesson sharing:
Palisades allows up to 5 people per private lesson, so you may be able to split the costs if you have others in your group.
Other lesson options:
Adult group half-day lesson: $150-210 per person (varies by date / time of day)
Adult group half-day lesson + lift ticket + ski rental: $220-290 per person (varies by date / time of day)
#9: Northstar
Top 1-Day Lesson Price: $1,209
With Lift Ticket: $1,448
Rounding out the Lake Tahoe portion of this list, Northstar is known for generally delivering a well-rounded, if a bit ordinary, overall experience to its guests (for a full review of Northstar, read or watch here). Given Northstar’s commercialized feel (a Ritz-Carlton hotel is located at mid-mountain), it is not particularly surprising that the going rate for private lessons is steep here, with full-day private lessons topping out at $1,209 on the busiest days of the year. Like many Vail-owned resorts, Northstar prices its lessons variably by date, with lower prices on off-peak dates and higher rates for more popular dates. Still, Northstar’s private lessons are expensive relative to its Lake Tahoe competitors — only Palisades Tahoe approaches Northstar’s maximum price (at $1,200), and better values can be had at Kirkwood ($855), Diamond Peak ($850), and even Homewood ($999). The resort does offer group lessons, but they’re only available for beginners and intermediates — advanced/expert skiers and riders will have to splurge for private instruction or look elsewhere.
Private lesson sharing:
Northstar allows up to 6 people per private lesson, so you may be able to split the costs if you have others in your group.
Other lesson options:
Adult group full-day lessons: $266-306 (varies by date; $212-244 with Epic Pass discount)
Adult group half-day lessons: $180-220 (varies by date; $144-176 with Epic Pass discount)
#8: Stowe
Top 1-Day Lesson Price: $1,228
With Lift Ticket: $1,385
Many Northeastern readers will not be surprised to learn that Stowe is the only East Coast resort to rank on this list, charging a staggering $1,228 per day on peak dates (and that’s not even including lift tickets). Stowe makes for a compelling overall package in Northern Vermont (read our review here), and we rank the resort #3 in our overall East Coast rankings. The resort gets a lot right, with diverse and challenging terrain, good snow, and generally modern lifts, compared to East Coast competitors — but the pitch of its fabled “Front Four” expert-level runs is matched by the steepness of the asking price for its private lessons. While this eye-watering price can be attributed partially to the tiered pricing approach leveraged by Stowe’s owner, Vail Resorts (in which peak dates are priced higher than off-peak dates), Stowe is generally a higher-end resort overall, with an upscale base village and lodging, and group lessons and single-day lift tickets are also expensive here.
Private lesson sharing:
Stowe allows up to 6 people per private lesson, so you may be able to split the costs if you have others in your group.
Other lesson options:
Adult group half-day lessons: $185-222 (varies by date; $147-177 with Epic Pass discount)
#7: Park City
Top 1-Day Lesson Price: $1,319
With Lift Ticket: $1,578
Next on the list is Park City Mountain Resort, one of Utah’s most popular destinations and America’s largest resort by skiable footprint, with 7,300 acres of terrain. The resort stands out for its massive size, its terrain diversity, and its location in the lively ski town of Park City (for a full review of Park City, read or watch here), and it attracts crowds from around the world. Unfortunately, the resort also distinguishes itself in its high prices. Park City made our list of the highest-priced lift tickets for the 2022-2023 season, and its private lessons are similarly lofty in price, topping out at $1,319 on peak dates. Given that local competitors offer significantly better one-on-one prices (Brighton, at $625, Powder Mountain, at $699, and Solitude, at $790, all top out at more reasonable prices), we do not see much of a reason to opt for Park City when considering an individual private lesson in Utah.
Private lesson sharing:
Park City allows up to 6 people per private lesson, so you may be able to split the costs if you have others in your group.
Other lesson options:
Adult group half-day lessons: $195-229 (varies by date; $156-183 with Epic Pass discount)
#6: Deer Valley
Top 1-Day Lesson Price: $1,320
With Lift Ticket: $1,579
Along with Park City, Deer Valley rounds out the Utah mountains on this list. Long one of Utah’s popular resorts, Deer Valley is known for its exceptional guest services, upscale lodging, and its ban on snowboarding (for a full review of Deer Valley, read or watch here). Although terrain at Deer Valley tends to be mellow, prices are generally steep, and private lessons are no exception — not to be outdone by Park City, Deer Valley’s top asking price of $1,320 edges out Park City by $1 and lands the resort at the #6 spot in these rankings, the same #6 ranking it earned in our list of the highest-priced lift tickets in North America. Even considering Deer Valley’s very strong on-mountain guest experience (e.g., the resort caps lift ticket sales to maintain a comfortable on-mountain capacity), skiers in search of private lessons in Utah will be best-advised to look elsewhere for a better value.
Private lesson sharing:
Deer Valley allows up to 5 people per private lesson, so you may be able to split the costs if you have others in your group.
Other lesson options:
Adult group half-day lessons: $195-229 (varies by date; $156-183 with Epic Pass discount)
#5: Big Sky
Top 1-Day Lesson Price: $1,375
With Lift Ticket: $1,614
At #5 on the list, Montana’s Big Sky weighs in with a maximum one-on-one private lesson price of $1,375. Big Sky can be a very compelling destination, with an expansive skiable footprint of 5,850 acres, highly-technical terrain, and a distinctive mountain aesthetic (for a full review of Big Sky, read or watch here). At the same time, Big Sky can be pricey, charging up to $239 for a 1-day lift ticket this season and, on top of that, demanding an additional charge to access the Lone Peak Tram, which unlocks access to the mountain’s most distinctive expert terrain (the mountain is the only one in North America to charge extra to ride a single lift). When it comes to private lessons, Big Sky offers a standard private lesson for $1,075, but the cost of entry really stands out for its unique “Tram Guides” private lesson and “Guided First Tracks” private lesson, the latter of which goes for a $1,375 per day (but includes Tram access and access to the mountain a full hour before it opens to the general public). These lesson experiences are hard to replicate anywhere else, but for most, it will be hard to stomach the truly outrageous asking prices.
Private lesson sharing:
Big Sky allows up to 2 people per private lesson, so you may be able to split the costs if you have others in your group.
Other lesson options:
Adult group lessons: $235 (half day) / $295 (full day)
#4: Mammoth
Top 1-Day Lesson Price: $1,380
With Lift Ticket: $1,619
Just 300 miles from LA, California’s Mammoth Mountain is one of the most convenient mountains to reach for those located in Southern California. And despite its convenient location, the mountain is no slouch, with diverse, extensive terrain, a distinctive mountain aesthetic, and a long spring skiing season (for a full review of Mammoth, read or watch here). But while Mammoth’s location may make it a compelling proposition for Californians looking to sharpen their snowsports skills, guests will want to think twice before booking a private lesson. At $1,380 for a full-day lesson (no matter the date), learning to ski here will cost an obscene fortune.
Private lesson sharing:
Mammoth allows up to 5 people per private lesson, so you may be able to split the costs if you have others in your group.
Other lesson options:
Adult group lessons: $175-250 (4-hour beginner lessons) / $175+ (2-hour intermediate lessons)
#3: Breckenridge
Top 1-Day Lesson Price: $1,391
With Lift Ticket: $1,646
Of the last few resorts on this list, all are located in Colorado, and all but one are owned by Vail Resorts. In third place, Breckenridge Resort is located on the Colorado Front Range (for a full review of the resort, read or watch here), and it offers a lot to like. Breckenridge is popular for its large footprint, striking (and easily-accessible) high-alpine bowl terrain, and diverse acreage. Just as with its other Vail-owned peers on this list, Breckenridge employs a demand-based pricing model for private lessons, with higher prices for lessons on peak dates. As such, single-day private lessons top out at a lofty $1,391 per day here (when purchased at the window), a figure almost as dizzying as the elevation of the top of the resort’s Imperial lift, which is North America’s highest-elevation chairlift.
As alternatives, consider group lessons, which are relatively competitively-priced at Breckenridge, or if you’re set on taking a private lesson in Colorado, you can find better one-on-one values at Eldora ($569) and Loveland ($658), which are located in some proximity to Breckenridge on the Front Range, or by venturing out to Monarch ($469) or Wolf Creek ($720), which are located southwest of the Front Range.
Private lesson sharing:
Breckenridge allows up to 6 people per private lesson, so you may be able to split the costs if you have others in your group.
Other lesson options:
Adult group lessons:
“First-time” beginner full-day lessons: $195-230 (varies by date; $156-184 with Epic Pass discount)
Beginner / intermediate full-day lessons: $205-240 (varies by date; $164-192 with Epic Pass discount)
Advanced full-day lessons: $210-250 (varies by date; $168-200 with Epic Pass discount)
#2: Steamboat
Top 1-Day Lesson Price: $1,499
With Lift Ticket: $1,774
At #2, Steamboat Ski Resort marks a steep jump in price over Breckenridge, weighing in at a maximum price of $1,499 for private, full-day lessons. Steamboat, located in north-central Colorado, is generally a competitive resort, offering strong gladed terrain and a vibrant town, although it does suffer from some crowd flow issues and has limited terrain offerings for expert skiers (for a full review of the resort, read or watch here). Unfortunately, Steamboat also stands out for being on the pricier side — it took fourth-place in our list of the highest-priced lift tickets for the 2022-2023 season — and its private lessons reach an astronomical asking price of $1,499 on peak dates this season. Group lessons are also priced higher-than-average, reaching a soaring $409 for a full-day group lesson on peak dates. Given that Colorado has several more affordable options for both private and group lessons, it makes very little sense to shell out these sums for a lesson at Steamboat.
Private lesson sharing:
Steamboat allows up to 5 people per private lesson, so you may be able to split the costs if you have others in your group.
Other lesson options:
Adult group lessons: $249-409 (varies by date)
#1 (tie): Vail / Beaver Creek
Top 1-Day Lesson Price: $1,560
With Lift Ticket: $1,835
Finally, at the top of the list, we find two Colorado resorts -- Vail and Beaver Creek. Both mountains are owned by Vail Resorts and offer the same pricing structure for their private lessons, topping out at a stunning $1,560 for peak dates (when purchased day-of).
Vail and Beaver Creek, located a short drive from each other on the Interstate 70 corridor of Colorado, are some of the most competitive destination ski resorts in North America, landing at #7 and #9, respectively, in our North American ski resort rankings. Vail stands out for its size, back bowls, and modern infrastructure (for a full review, read or watch here) while Beaver Creek distinguishes itself by its diverse beginner terrain, demanding advanced and expert terrain, and relatively low levels of crowding (for a full review of Beaver Creek, read or watch here). Both resorts, however, are not known for being affordable, whether it comes to lift tickets, lodging, or other aspects of the skiing experience — and anyone who has visited them would not be terribly surprised to learn that private lessons here are steep. Vail and Beaver Creek are class-leading resorts, but unfortunately that also extends to the price of private lessons.
Private lesson sharing:
Vail and Beaver Creek both allows up to 6 people per private lesson, so you may be able to split the costs if you have others in your group.
Other lesson options:
Adult group lessons: $248-352 (varies by date; $198-281 with Epic Pass discount)
Final Thoughts
With all of these high-priced private lessons out there, is there any way to get a good value when learning to ski or snowboard? Fortunately, yes. Generally, group lessons are far more affordable than private lessons, and they will sometimes include a smaller number of participants than the advertised maximum (e.g.,a group lesson with up to 6 participants can, in reality, end up being a 2 or 3 person lesson, if that is the number of people who sign up for the lesson on a given day). If you’re set on a private lesson, look at smaller, independently-owned mountains, which tend to offer more competitive pricing — or, if you’re not staunchly set on one-on-one instruction, try to book with friends or family who ski or ride at a similar ability level to you.
For more information on skiing on a budget, check out our article on Planning a Ski Trip on a Budget and the Best Value Ski Destination Lift Tickets In North America for the 2022-2023 season.