And...if you don't click with the instructor, fire them quickly. You paid the money, and you have the right to an effective lesson. You want an instructor who asks you what you want to do. Who asks critical questions to fully understand your request. Who knows how to develop the foundational movements for what you want, if that's necessary. And who explains things and gives instruction in term you easily understand and can put to use. You want an instructor who can tell if you're on suitable equipment and decently fitting boots, and if something isn't right can explain it to you.
I frequently see terrible group instruction at Whistler. WB makes a big deal out of no more than 4 students in a group lesson, but that doesn't guarantee an effective instructor. Too often I see an instructor leading the group down a run, and the following students are making many mistakes that the instructor isn't seeing...he's leading the group, not watching the individuals skiing. They certainly aren't copying the instructor's movements. The students learn little by skiing poorly behind an instructor. A good instructor can give 4 concurrent private lessons to the members of the group. A great instructor can give 6. In any case, speak up. Ask what you should do at each step of the lesson and accept only clear answers that make sense to you. Stick with one thing until you are feeling that it's working for you, then allow your instructor to show you the next step. You're the boss. The instructor is working for you.
