Frequently Asked Questions
Are lift passes & rental gear included in the private lesson price?
No, the price of a private lesson includes the cost of the lesson only. Lift passes & rental gear can be purchased via the Online Shop when booking your lesson.
What do I need to bring to my lesson?
Arrive dressed and ready to hit the slopes.
Wear
- Ski boots or snowboard boots on your feet, ready to go
- Helmet – not compulsory but highly recommended
- Goggles and/or sunglasses to protect your child’s eyes from glare
- Waterproof snow pants and jacket
- Warm layers under outerwear
- Ski socks (not cotton)
- Waterproof mittens or gloves
- Neck warmer/ tube or Balaclava
- Sunscreen SPF 15 or higher
Bring
- Skis or snowboard
- Ski poles
- A valid Mountain Access Card – this should be placed in your pocket on your left-hand side.
Can adults and children go into a private lesson together?
We do not recommend that adults take lessons with young children. The instructor will be focused on the youngest child for the majority of the lesson. From experience, we find that the adults do not get much tuition from the instructor.
Can we ski and snowboard in the same private lesson?
No, you will need to book an instructor for either skiing or snowboarding.
How many people can you book into a private lesson?
Create your own private lesson group where extra guests come without any extra cost.
- For 1hr and 1.5hr private lessons, a maximum of 2 participants in total
- For 2hr+ private lessons, a maximum of 5 participants in total
Will there be other members of the public in my private lesson?
No, the private lesson is booked for you only; if you have friends or family who wish to join your lesson, we can do this provided you contact us and let us know.
I want to book a full-day private lesson (6 or 7 hours), is there a lunch break included?
All instructors must have a 30-minute break during a full-day private lesson; this is not included in the lesson duration if the instructor has a break in our lunchroom. If you would like the instructor to have lunch with you during their break time, this is included in the lesson duration.
Can I request a specific instructor for my lesson?
Yes, if you have a specific instructor you would like to request for your private lesson, be sure to make note in the 'Add Requested Instructor Name' field below the calendar on the booking page. Our Guest Services and Snowsports team will advise you if your requested instructor is available.
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancellations or changes to the date/time of your private lessons are subject to our Terms and Conditions.
Hotham Ski and Snowboard School
What ski and snowboard school offerings will you provide this year
We are pleased to offer a variety of snowsports lessons this season. Please explore our lesson pages for more information.
Are lift tickets included with your lessons?
No, lift tickets are not included in lesson purchases. All lesson participants require a valid lift ticket regardless of their ability level.
Lift access for use in your lesson can be purchased in the form of a single or multi day lift ticket or Epic Australia Pass and must be purchased online and in advance. Please note that single and multi day lift ticket prices are based on daily rates, regardless of the number or type of lifts used during the lesson.
Do I need to book lessons in advance?
Yes, lessons must be booked online and in advance to avoid disappointment and to ensure availability for your preferred dates and times.
If you are trying to book lessons and the lesson appears as Sold Out or Lesson Full, it means that at this stage we are at maximum capacity for that lesson.
Any additional capacity will be released directly to the online shop. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer a waiting list for these products.
I or a family member are a disabled rider, how do we book a lesson?
We offer discounts on single and multi day lift tickets and 50% off private lessons for guests who are Epic Australia Adaptive Pass holders, full members of Disabled Winter Sport Australia (DWA) or Companion Card holders.
To book an adaptative private lesson please contact us in advance so that we can discuss your specific requirements and capabilities with the Hotham Ski & Snowboard School.
Click here for more information about adaptive snow sports at Hotham.
Preparing for your lesson
When should I arrive for my lesson?
We recommend arriving 10 minutes before your lesson start time. Please allow extra time to travel around the resort in peak times (weekends and school holidays) to avoid being late to your lesson.
Do I need to collect my rentals before I go to my lesson?
Yes, make sure you have all your rental gear, waterproof clothing, gloves and other necessary items before your lesson.
If possible, we recommend collecting all of your rental gear the afternoon prior to your lesson. If you are picking up rental gear the morning of your lesson, please allow at plenty of time before your lesson meeting time to do so.
What happens if I'm late for my lesson?
Please allow extra time to travel around the resort in peak times (weekends and school holidays) to avoid being late to your lesson.
If you’re running late for a lesson please head straight to your lesson meeting area and look for a staff member. If you cannot find a staff member or your correct lesson group, please head to our Snowsports school office where one of our staff will help you. Please note that if you miss your lesson due to lateness the lesson cost is non-refundable.
We will do our best to accommodate you if you are running late. However, if your lesson group has already left the lesson area, they will not be able to return to collect late students.
How do I change or cancel my lesson?
If your plans change you have the option to either cancel or change your lesson booking.
Changes or cancellations that result in money being payable back to the purchaser will be issued in the form of a Snow Credit. No cash refunds will be issued.
Any requested changes of cancellations to bookings must be made at least 48 hours or more prior to the earliest scheduled commencement date of your booking.
Visit our Help Centre for more information on requesting to change or cancel your lesson:
View full terms and conditions here.