Updated November 2020
Private lessons are always going to cost a little extra, but there are still some ways to save money while ensuring that you get a full hour (or more!) of undivided attention and personalized feedback to improve your skiing or riding at the pace that works best for you.
Here’s a look at some of the private lesson options in New Jersey, the Poconos, and the Greater New York City area. Compare them to find the deal that works best for you, and be sure to factor in lift tickets and rentals when calculating the total price for you or your friends and family.
You should also plan to tip your instructor, so make sure you factor that in as part of your total cost for these lessons. We recommend tipping $10 to $20 per hour and/or per person for private lessons, depending on how satisfied you are with your lesson.
Montage Mountain: All 20/21 Lessons
$99 per person
All lessons during the 2020-2021 season will be “private” lessons.
These lessons are 90 minutes long and require an advance reservation. The maximum group size is 6 people, and guests 5 and 6 in each group will cost an additional $50 each instead of the standard $99.
This means you’ll pay $297 for a group of 3, $396 for a group of 4, $446 for a group of 5, and $496 for a group of 6. Lift tickets and rentals will cost an additional $100 or so per person Thursday-Sunday or $40 each Monday-Wednesday.
Blue Mountain Private Lessons
$95, plus $60 for each additional person or hour
Blue Mountain’s private lessons are just $95 for 1 person, $155 for 2 people, $215 for 3 people, $275 for 4 people, and $335 for 5 people.
The prices increase at the same rate for 1 person wishing for a multi-hour lesson. For example, a 3-hour private for one person would cost $215.
Rentals will cost an additional $40 per person. Lift ticket prices vary greatly and can cost $50-$110 if bought at the window. Buy online and in advance for lift ticket prices as low as $20.
Big Bear Private Lessons
$95, plus $62 for each extra person
Private lessons at Big Bear cost $95, and adding additional people to the lesson will cost an extra $62 each.
Two-hour privates cost $175.
Shawnee Mountain‘s VIP Package
$175 | 3-Hour Private | Includes Lift Ticket and Rentals | Adults Only
The VIP Learn to Ski/Snowboard Package is a fantastic private lesson deal available for adults only. For just $175, you will receive:
- 1 lift ticket for the day, which gives access to the full mountain
- 1 set of rental equipment for use all day
- 1 three-hour private lesson
The typical cost for a 1-hour private lesson at Shawnee is $110 (and that doesn’t include rentals or a lift ticket, which could cost an extra $100) so this package is definitely the way to go.
The only catch is that this package is for adults only (18+), and it is only available Monday-Friday (non-holiday) with an advance reservation.
Finally, if you want to add a second or third person to your group, it’ll cost an additional $175 per person, so we recommend that you do not do this. Sign up for separate VIP packages to make sure you each get a full 3 hours of 1-on-1 instruction. Buying two VIP packages will cost $350 and three VIP packages will cost $525. That’s still a great deal, considering you’re getting three hours of private lessons plus rental equipment and lift tickets for the whole day. Plus, you’ll be treated like a VIP and get a top-notch instructor. Just make sure you have the stamina for a three-hour lesson!
Spring Mountain‘s Family Private
$285 For Families of 4
These 1-hour lessons are for families of either 2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children. Additional family members will cost an extra $70 each.
Lift tickets and rentals are not included and will cost $60 or more per person.
The standard private lesson at Spring is $95, plus $70 for each additional person in the lesson, so this family deal will save you about $20 if you have a family of 4.
Shawnee Mountain’s Family Package
$300-400 for Groups of 4 | Includes Lift Tickets
New for 2020, Shawnee Mountain’s Private Family Lesson Package is a decent option if you want to guarantee that your family–and only your family–is all in one lesson group.
On weekends, it’ll cost $400 for up to 4 people and then $60 for each additional family member.
On weekdays, it’ll cost $300 for up to 4 people and then $60 for each additional family member.
One of the great things about this package is that it does include lift tickets, but rentals will be an additional cost of about $40 per person.
For comparison, a standard private lesson at Shawnee (which does not include a lift ticket or rentals) usually costs $110 for a single person and then an additional $75 for each extra person in the lesson.
The standard beginner packages here will give you a group lesson, rentals, and a lift ticket for around $125 per person.
Elk Mountain‘s Friends and Family Lesson
$399 for 4 People | 2-Hour Lesson
Similar to Blue Mountain’s Friends and Family package, the Friends and Family Lesson at Elk Mountain is a package that includes a 2-hour private lesson for up to 4 people at $399.
Private lessons at Elk generally cost $102 for a 1-hour private, plus $75 for each additional person.
Beginner area lift tickets will cost about $35 per person, and rentals will be about $40 per peson.
Home > Beginner Guides > Private Lessons
SNOWTHRIFT 