I've had multiple guests ask me about gratuity practices for group lessons for kids or adults as well as private lessons, so here's this instructor's take on the subject.
A - Gratuities for coaches are not a requirement but an appropriate and appreciated gesture. Many kids instructors rely on their gratuities to make ends meet, and work at night in restaurants and bars to help out!
A good instructor has focused on keeping your child and up to seven other children safe, warm and happy over an extended period of time. A good instructor created a space where all of the children had fun while learning, and maintained this environment through various challenges such as separation anxiety, bathroom emergencies and the sugar induced boisterousness following a hot chocolate break.
At Northstar new children's instructors receive 15 days of training to deliver the service parents are counting on. Many also invest in a Professional Ski Instructors Association membership and purchase additional training throughout the season. Some invest unpaid hours and days off to clinic with other coaches in order to pass PSIA certifications.
$10-15 dollars is an average tip for a one day lesson. If your child had a blast, tipping at restaurant levels (15-20% of the lesson cost) is appropriate.
Q - What about for Adult Group Lessons?
A - With adult lessons, the person doing the thanking has directly experienced the quality of the instructor's service. A $15 to $20 tip is fine. Again, if the lesson was great, 15-20% will make your coach feel very appreciated and valued.
Q - What about Private Lessons? Is it any different?
A - This question is a bit more delicate to answer, since I spend my days teaching privates!
When I've purchased lessons for my better half (Johanna), my snowboarding brother-in-law, Gary or my tentative sister, Susan, I book only the best, most experienced, and most entertaining instructors on the staff. These include Eddie Visser, Randy Bell, Matt Majersky, Jeff Hickel and Mary Ellen Pearlman. I tip these folks at the 20% level, unless Johanna or my sister beats me to it!
As a general rule of thumb from my experience on the receiving end, a $50 tip is a fine thank you for a half day lesson, and $100 is similarly appreciated for a full day private.
Let me take this opportunity to thank all of the parents who trusted me when I was a kids' group lesson instructor; and, of course, all who've gone on to choose me when private lesson attention is desired.
Thanks again, and I hope this post is helpful to folks new to skiing!
Guidance from other sources on the web:
From Trip Advisor: Tipping your instructor
From Park City Resort's Website: Should you tip your ski or snowboard instructor?
When I've purchased lessons for my better half (Johanna), my snowboarding brother-in-law, Gary or my tentative sister, Susan, I book only the best, most experienced, and most entertaining instructors on the staff. These include Eddie Visser, Randy Bell, Matt Majersky, Jeff Hickel and Mary Ellen Pearlman. I tip these folks at the 20% level, unless Johanna or my sister beats me to it!
As a general rule of thumb from my experience on the receiving end, a $50 tip is a fine thank you for a half day lesson, and $100 is similarly appreciated for a full day private.
Let me take this opportunity to thank all of the parents who trusted me when I was a kids' group lesson instructor; and, of course, all who've gone on to choose me when private lesson attention is desired.
Thanks again, and I hope this post is helpful to folks new to skiing!
Guidance from other sources on the web:
From Trip Advisor: Tipping your instructor
From Park City Resort's Website: Should you tip your ski or snowboard instructor?
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