With regard to using the ski school and learning to ski there are a few things that you should get clear:
Firstly, you CAN NOT teach yourself to ski (correctly) If you want to ski well and always keep improving you should always have lessons. Even when you are a very competent skier it still pays to have lessons to avoid picking up bad habits. Secondly, people come skiing for two main reasons – mostly for a great holiday, great partying and a fun time. Some people come not to party all week, but to actually learn to ski very well. Nothing wrong with either category – you just have to decide which one you are – I started off as the former and then changed to the latter. The problem is if you fall into the latter category you cannot really do too much of the former!
If you can afford it I would always have one to one lessons or a group lesson with just two or three people of the same standard with a private instructor. You will learn quicker and the cost will not be much more than group lessons with a ski school in the long run.
For those of you wanting to ski off piste either with instruction or just guiding then you should consider hiring one of the local instructors for the day – they know the area better than anyone so not only will you be safer but will also find the best snow / routes!
Click on the sidebars to the top right if you are using a pc or in the links at the bottom of this page if you are using a mobile phone or tablet for further info about options for lessons and guiding.