ASPEN
 

I am looking for ski instructor for 4 days for 10 begginers.
We are going to Aspen from 25th to 28th of February.

Never took a lesson at Aspen (we had too much powder that week) - but assuming they are like the other Colorado ski schools - they should be very good.

BTW - did you ever see this movie - about Aspen Ski Instructors - Aspen Estreme was it? - and va va voom - am in love with Terry Polo:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106315/

My Bad: Teri Polo. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001632/

I would take them to Buttermilk or Snowmass to ski and put them in a ski school. I'm sure they have beginners classes at Ajax, but it is a more demanding mountain, and the others nearby more beginner friendly.

I think that Buttermilk is an excellent idea. It doesn't usually get crowded, they're less likely to encounter fast skiers (who can be intimidating to beginners), but there's enough terrain that they won't outgrow it in four days.

We are going for business trip to Aspen. This group had been skiing before but they need still instructor.
Can you recommend some good? Or maby someone is interesting in giving lessons to them?

Buttermilk is an excellent idea for beginning skiers. Again, the Colordo ski schools are all good - and they have instructors assigned/trained for beginners. (If you watch the movie - you will understand what the best/most experienced instructors are doing. :) )

You don't need to arrange ahead of time. Just go to the ski school and sign them up. If they have skiied before they will be put in a class (probably less than 10) that is appropriate to their level. Buttermilk is still part of the Aspen area--free shuttle to get there.
It is VERY easy--just go to the slopes and to the ski school. They will do MUCH better at Buttermilk or Snowmass.

Yes, you will be assigned a class/instructor on the basis of age and experience once you arrive at the ski school (or once you arrange for the lessons you want):
http://www.aspensnowmass.com/ski-and-snowboard-schools
Aspen can be a difficult mountain; for example, if you decide to cruise Ruthie's Run because it's an intermediate (blue), you will find yourself on part of an international downhill World Cup run (at the top). Snowmass is the better learner's place.

Aspen like most ski resorts will probably only allow its instructors to offer lessons, and that's who you should contact.
You can do one of two things.
1. Sign everyone up for group lessons and they will be put with different groups that will include persons other than your group based upon each person's level of experience.
2. Hire a private instructor through the Aspen ski school for your group. Note you will probably pay extra for each additional person. You might want to trade the instructor off between people during the day so the instructor can work with different persons depending on skill level.

Or you might be able to hire a ski instructor for a tour of the mountain if your group is all comfortable skiers and merely wants the lay of the land and to know the best runs for their ability. They can then spend the rest of their time skiing on their own.

I would suggest you contact the Aspen ski school directly and talk to them about options.

Assuming you have some "beginning" beginners - I suggest you let the ski school sort them out first - in a group lesson format, as it's doubtful all 10 are all the same ability.

That's a also a diplomatic way to break them up.

Later - if you wanted one big "group" lesson or mountain tour with all 10 - or breaking up two or three skiers with one instructor (semi-private lesson) - with the skiers at about equal skill levels, you could do that.

And on the last day or next to the last day - after they have some ski-legs - the skiers that are comfortable intermediate level might try Ruthie's run - which really is a cruising type run (fun to let 'em rip)- assuming good snow.

Meaning - if it's packed powder/mostly groomed - and not icy or real windy. When they have it set up for a competition downhill - it's almost all ice - as the pros like to have it that way - as it's more uniform and the pros will use their razor sharp edges for control - when they are screaming down the course at 70+ mph.

Even the ones who are advanced beginner/lower intermediate could probably ski Ruthie's - just realizing that when they start at the top - try to time it when not a lot of other skiers are barreling down - as the lower intermediates may have to become "Twila Traversers" for a while - skiing back and forth across the run. :)

I would call the Aspen/Snowmass Ski School and discuss with them. I know you said they had skied before, so they are no never evers, but I could have sworn Aspen Mountain didn't offer beginner level lessons. I believe I read that in their printed literature last year. I don't think their website is that great for finding out information so couldn't find any info there (and I could be wrong).
I'd give them a call and explain your situation/desires and see what they say. It would be better to find out in advance if they can accomodate your group on Aspen Mountain or if they'd be better off at Buttemilk or Snowmass.

Tom, I disagree with you. I've skied for more than 40 years, DH was a ski bum in Aspen in the olden days, and your advice re: Ruthie's Run is dangerous and ill informed.

"fun to let 'em rip"
After the first set of lessons? There? That is, frankly, no offense meant, stupid.

I have to find out ski instructor in advance because I have to organize all travel in advance. We are coming to Aspen from Poland so everything should be arranged before our arrive. This is my biggest problem. In Aspen I won't have time for looking for an instructor. I am forced to do it now.

No matter what anyone says on here, the only place to really get what you need is DIRECTLY from the Ski School.

Email them, explain your situation [that everything has to be set up ahead of time] and your needs [how many people, actual abilities etc] and let THEM provide you with accurate info.

Justyn, your need is recognized, but you should not remain fixed on getting a private ski instructor at ASPEN. The Aspen Company is a complex of 3 or 4 mountains, and the mountain at Aspen (Ajax) is an expert mountain and in my opinion, dangerous for beginning skiiers.
So you should understand that your group will probably be directed to take lessons at a very nearby mountain (Buttermilk or Snowmass) that is served by a shuttle to get your group there.
You can contact the ski school and make reservations for your group for lessons. The ski school will sort out what lessons they can be in (as others have said). You can be assured they will be well served. You can undoubtedly opt for them to have a total package of lessons, ski rental and lift tickets.
Your travel planning to Aspen will be fine with having the lessons at these associated areas.

Again - to add to what you have been advised - and from one who has been in many ski lessons at different ski schools all over the Western US (from beginning beginner level - to advanced) - you do NOT need a private instructor.

Just explain to the others in your group - that you all are going to the ski school (In Aspen - at one of these two mountains - Buttermilk or Snowmass - for beginners - see webpage below).

The ski school/head instructors will take you to an easy run - and have you ski a little ways down the easy slope - and then - the instructors (all are good - repeat - all are good) will sort your group out according to your ability/level of skiing.

The last thing you want is a rank beginner slowing down a group of advanced beginners, OK? Rozumiesz?

If you can't call from Poland - at least try to email the ski schools: see: http://www.stayaspensnowmass.com/act...aspen-snowmass

sylvia: My bad if what I wrote could be interpreted as having a beginner recklessly "let 'me rip".

Definitely don't want that and what I meant was - parts of Ruthie's Run can be a bit more challenging - and yet - there are other parts that really more of an average intermediate run - fairly wide - and there - yes, if you want to experiment a bit - you could let em go a bit, but if they are all just beginners - that might be a bit much.

And aren't there also beginner trails splitting off Ruthie's Run - so that if they don't feel comfortable - they can take one of those to get down the mountain? And here is how "Ruthie's Run" got started. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vau...60/7/index.htm

If after the 3 or 4 days - IF they have improved enough to being able to handle some intermediate runs - repeat IF - to be careful - than I always advise people to take a run that is the next level up in challenge (and yes, there are different levels of beginning and intermediate runs) - and if they can't handle the slightly more challenging run - then go back to the run they are comfortable with - and practice more on it. OK?

(And BTW - I have only been skiing for about 50 years - and helped a lot of friends to improve - but always recommend - TAKE LESSONS).

BTW dos: Read my entry again - and thought it did apply to those who could handle intermediate runs - but good to be extra explicit, eh?

"And on the last day or next to the last day - after they have some ski-legs - the skiers that are comfortable intermediate level might try Ruthie's run - which really is a cruising type run (fun to let 'em rip)- assuming good snow. "

Wow: 8 less than helpful, repetitious posts on one thread. A record?

I think some have repeated because Justyn has not seemed to be aware of the layout of Aspen mountains, and how ski schools are arranged. I think ALL have tried to be helpful--sorry you don't agree.
And to comment on "trails off Ruthie's run to help you get down"--I call these "catwalks" and some of my most hair raising moments have been on these (at the beginning level) when they get crowded and icy!!

Tomsd on Nov 30, 12 at 7:29am-
Never took a lesson at Aspen (we had too much powder that week) - but assuming they are like the other Colorado ski schools - they should be very good.

Yet on Nov 30, 12 at 11:04am -the Colordo ski schools are all good
_____

I never had Chinese food in Buffalo, but it is really good in Flushing, Queens and they are in the same state, so it must be good. Imepecable logic.

gretchen, I referred solely to Tom's posts.

"<i>I think ALL have tried to be helpful -- sorry you don't agree.</i>"

And ALL <i>have</i> been . . . except for you know who.

<B>Justyna:</B> It sounds like you are getting frustrated - which is understandable since you are so far away, want everything to be perfect, and don't know who to listen to. IMO listen to everyone who gave you useful/concrete advice about the Aspen ski school and how it operates - not to tom who has a habit of posting about experiences that are 30+ years old.

Thank you for all advices.
Tomsd - yes I uderstand!!

You're welcome Justyna, and agree Gretchen. And just to visualize a bit more - there are 4 main ski areas in the greater Aspen Valley - starting with Aspen Mountain, then Ajax (Ajax is particularly challenging) - then Buttermilk (probably the easiest mountain but they do get untracked powder) - and Snowmass, which is huge - and has a lot of intermediate and beginning terrain see: http://www.skisnowboard.com/aspen/layout.html

and http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/c...es/coaspen.htm
and http://www.aspenexplorer.com/aspen_accommodations.shtml

And they are all inter-connected/served by a good transportation system - none more than 20? minutes away from each other.

As for the Aspen Ski School (which I think is basically the same on all 4 mountains) - anybody who knows anything about skiing knows the Colorado ski schools are very good. Did take a lesson at Vail - and Copper Mtn - and as far as I have always understood/read/heard - they are all top rate. (BTW - not sure if one of the women commenting here even skis?).

In the end - if you are in doubt about where to ski - or what type runs/levels those in your group are comfortable with - do ask your ski instructors. They know the areas the best. :)

I was at Aspen last year and it is like all the major ski resorts, the resort has plenty of instructors that you sign up for, whether group or private. You cn do it in advance online if you want and that makes sure you have a place. I did it in advance last year online, I think you might get some discount. But you don't need to know a specific person. I prefer group lessons, but I'm no expert.

I might be wrong, but last year I think I took a lesson at Buttermilk (I'm not that great, but not a total beginner), and I think someone told me the best instructors are not at the mountain, perhaps because it has more beginners. I think he said Snowmass might be a better bet (I think I was sayiing the instructor I had was okay but not that great, don't remember exactly). I did learn at Buttermilk my very first time and that was great. It is good for beginners.

I think you can manage everything on here
http://www.aspensnowmass.com/en/ski-...wboard-schools

Forgot to mention that there is often a special camaraderie in group ski lessons - especially the initial beginner groups. Everybody is looking challenged at times and as one starts to get it - all seem to get an upward lift/shot of confidence to keep on learning. :)

IMO - using an individual ski instructor - one on one for beginning beginners is a waste/overkill - as you also learn from seeing what others in your group are doing, plus you don't feel so discouraged (silly) - as everybody takes some tumbles, etc.

tom - before jumping in w/ both feet and responding two MORE times, you just <i>might</i> have wanted to clarify exactly what Justyna meant by >>Tomsd - yes I uderstand!!<<

Wouldn't you be embarrassed if that means >>Yes I understand what was said about tomsd.<< ???

Nah . . .

Janis - why are you even commenting? Your knee jerk reaction missed what Justyna was responding to - "OK? Rozumiesz?" - and btw - do you even ski, and even if - have you ever skied at Aspen, or Ajax or Snowmass?

And please tell - just what value did your "comments" offer to the initial questions posed?

And just for the record - Aspen Mountain ("Ajax") - IMO - is the 2nd most challenging mountain. The next one over - Aspen Highlands - has some great chutes - but you better really jump on the first turn and keep 'em turning down the hill. :)

After that Buttermilk is the easiest (but some of the "powder hounds" still go there on the 2nd/3rd day after a big drop - as there is still some untracked powder - and it may be the best for entry level beginners - and Snowmass - is HUGE - with a lot of terrain - and also - has "beaucoup" accommodations. :)

http://www.snowmassvillage.com/index.html

12

and counting...

Tom, give it a rest. You and your harrassers are really messing up this thread. We GOT it--you know the terrain. STOP.

Justyna, contact the Aspen Company ski school and make your arrangements/reservations.
In spite of all the static on this thread you DO have good advice.
To reiterate.
NO NO NO NO private instructor for all people skiing
Contact Ski school and make reservations
You can come to your hotel in Aspen, and your people needing ski lessons can go to "wherever" via the shuttle system.

Thank you Gretchen. I contacted The Aspen Company and they are going to prepare an offer to me. Certainly I will snatch the opportunity and reserve in advance an instructor.

:-) was researching Colorado and couldn't stop reading this thread. very entertaining.