Public ClassesWhat to Expect
One instructor and 4 people at most, at one level: a 90-minute class for first-timers, three hours for intermediates. Pick yours on the left and see how it goes, step by step — including what a group costs you and what it gives you.
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1
0:00–0:10
Meet and check
Names, and a kit check for everyone: boots buckled right, bindings set, skis or board the right size. With four people it takes a few minutes longer. If somebody is clearly not a first-timer, the instructor says so now, kindly.
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2
0:10–0:30
On the flat, together
No slope yet. One ski on, then both: standing, walking, turning around, sidestepping uphill — and falling and getting up without help. Everyone at once, the instructor moving from one of you to the next.
No slope yet. Which foot goes forward, the front foot strapped in: skating along the flat, turning around, climbing a little way up — and falling and getting up without help. Everyone at once, the instructor moving from one of you to the next.
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3
0:30–1:10
First slides, in turns
A gentle slope that stops you by itself. One at a time: straight glides, then the snowplough — slowing and stopping when you decide to. The instructor watches each run and gives each of you one thing; while you wait, watch the others.
A gentle slope, both feet strapped in. One at a time: sliding down on your heel edge and stopping, then on your toe edge facing up the hill. The instructor watches each run and gives each of you one thing; while you wait, watch the others.
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4
1:10–1:25
First turns — when most are ready Falling leaf — when most are ready
Once most of the group can stop every time, the first turns: steering with the feet, standing on the outside ski. Whoever is not ready keeps working on the stop, close to the instructor. That is not being left behind; it is the right order.
Once most of the group can stop on both edges, the falling leaf: drifting left and right across the slope on one edge. Whoever is not ready keeps working on the edges, close to the instructor. A real turn usually comes on day two.
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5
1:25–1:30
Wrap-up
One thing to practise for each of you — not the same thing — and where it is safe to practise it alone: the beginner slope.
In a class, a first-timer is sliding for less of the 90 minutes than in a private: you take turns. The waiting is not wasted — watching someone else get the snowplough wrong is one of the fastest ways to get it right.
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1
0:00–0:10
Meet at the top of the lift
The class meets up the mountain, so you ride the lift to it on your own — which is the first check that this is your class. Names, what each of you wants to work on, and a look at the group.
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2
0:10–0:35
Follow, then be watched
A run behind the instructor to warm up, then one at a time while they watch each of you. They choose one theme for the group — usually everyone needs the same thing: weight on the outside ski, standing further forward, or a quieter upper body.
A run behind the instructor to warm up, then one at a time while they watch each of you. They choose one theme for the group — usually everyone needs the same thing: weight over the front foot, cleaner edge changes, or a quieter upper body.
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3
0:35–1:20
The theme, drilled
Drills on easy terrain, one of you after another, with feedback to each in turn. The lift rides are shared — that is where the questions go, and where you hear the answers to everyone else's.
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4
1:20–1:35
A short break
Ten minutes off your legs, a warm drink. Part of the class time.
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5
1:35–2:30
On real terrain
Longer and steeper runs, often in a line behind the instructor — following their tracks teaches rhythm and line better than any explanation. The theme falls apart the first time here; that is the point of taking it here.
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6
2:30–2:50
Your own cue
Now each of you gets one thing of your own, on top of the group's theme, and a few runs to try it.
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7
2:50–3:00
Wrap-up
The drill to keep doing, on which run, and — for each of you — what a next lesson would work on.
The class runs at a pace the whole group can hold, on terrain the least confident of you is happy on. If you want to push harder than that, it is a private you want, not a class.
Gliding and stopping when you choose to on the beginner slope. A first turn if the group gets there — often it does, sometimes it is next time.
Sliding down on your heel edge and stopping, and a start on your toe edge. Plenty of falls, and so will everyone else in the group.
One change the whole group worked on, your own cue for it, and a longer run where it held — most of the way down, if not all of it.
Less individual attention than a private, and more for your money: you also learn from watching three other people make your mistakes.
Each step rests on the one before it, so the order does not change — only how far the class gets. Faded steps are where a class usually runs out; the next class, or a private, starts there.
- Boots and stance How a ski boot should feel, clicking in and out, and standing balanced over the middle of your feet instead of leaning back.
- Moving on the flat Sliding on one ski, walking, sidestepping uphill, and getting up from a fall without help.
- Straight glide Down a gentle slope that flattens out, so the slope stops you. Weight forward, eyes up.
- Snowplough Tips together, tails apart: slowing down and stopping when you decide to. Everything after this depends on it.
- First turns Steering by turning your feet and standing on the outside ski, in a wide snowplough.
- Linked turns Turn after turn, controlling speed with the shape of the turn instead of braking.
- The beginner lift Riding it, getting off it without a fall, and skiing down from the top.
- Skis starting to match The inside ski comes parallel at the end of each turn. Usually day two or three.
- Stance and straps Which foot goes forward, strapping in, and moving with one foot free.
- Skating Pushing along the flat with one foot strapped — the way you will get on and off every lift.
- Heel-side slip Facing down the hill, sliding on the heel edge and stopping.
- Toe-side slip The same facing up the hill. Harder, because you cannot see where you are going.
- Falling leaf Drifting left and right across the slope on one edge, steering with your weight.
- First turn Changing from one edge to the other.
- Linked turns Usually day two or three.
Day one on a snowboard is slower than on skis and has more falling in it. After the first two or three days it usually catches up fast.
- You follow, then they watch A warm-up behind the instructor, then each of you on your own while they watch.
- One theme for the group The change most of you need. In a group of four at one level, it is usually the same one.
- Drilled on easy terrain One after another, feedback to each in turn, so you think about the change and not the slope.
- Taken to real terrain Longer, steeper runs, often in the instructor's tracks. It falls apart the first time — that is the class working.
- Your own cue One thing for you alone, on top of the group's theme.
- A second theme Only once the first holds for everyone — which is usually another day.
- Weight on the outside ski — the turn grips instead of skidding away.
- Standing centred, not back — the skis answer you instead of running off with you.
- A quiet upper body — facing down the slope and turning from the legs, not the shoulders.
- Finishing the turn — speed controlled by the shape of the turn, so a red stops needing brakes.
- From skidding to edging — your first clean arcs, on an easy slope.
- Bumps, soft snow or ice — when the day offers them.
- Weight over the front foot — the board goes where you look instead of where it likes.
- A quiet upper body — turning from the legs, not by throwing the shoulders round.
- Cleaner edge changes — no flat-board moment between turns, so no catching an edge.
- Finishing the turn — speed controlled by the shape of the turn, not by skidding sideways.
- From skidding to carving — your first clean arcs, on an easy slope.
- Riding switch — the other foot forward, which makes everything else easier.
- You will wait your turn. One of you goes, the others watch. It is rest, and it is learning — you see your own mistakes from the outside.
- Somebody will be quicker, somebody slower. The class moves when most are ready. If you are ahead, you get the harder version of the drill; if you are behind, you get the instructor closer.
- You will fall, in front of strangers. So will they. By the second fall nobody is counting, and a group laughing at its own falls learns faster than a nervous one.
- Your legs will burn, and the altitude is real. Gudauri starts at about 2,000 m. You tire faster and get thirsty sooner than at home. Say so — the instructor would rather slow the group down than lose you to a pulled muscle.
- The instructor is shared. You get one clear thing at a time, not a running commentary. Ask on the lift — that is what the lift is for.
- Your full kit on you at the meeting point: skis or board, boots buckled, poles if you ski, helmet. The class starts on time and cannot wait for anyone still collecting gear.
- Boots that fit: snug, toes just touching the front when you stand straight, heel not lifting when you lean forward. A boot that hurts ends your class early, and the class goes on without you.
- Your own lift pass. For the intermediate class, ride up to the meeting point before the start time — the class begins at the top.
- Layers you can open, gloves, goggles or sunglasses, sun cream. One pair of thin ski socks.
- Breakfast, water, and a proper night's sleep. Go easy on alcohol the night before — altitude makes it worse.
- Arrive five to ten minutes early, geared up.
- Riding a snowboard? Say so when you book, so we put you with a snowboard instructor.
- you are clearly one of the two levels
- you like company, and learn from watching
- one of the posted starts works for you
- you are paying for one person
- you are between levels, or coming back after years
- you are nervous, or want the pace to be yours
- your party is at different levels and wants to ride together
- you want a day or a time no class is posted on
| Class | Starts | Meeting | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
|
First-timer
(1.5h)
|
10:00, 12:00 or 14:00 |
|
₾150 per person |
|
Intermediate
(3h)
|
10:00 or 14:00 |
|
₾250 per person |
Pick your date when you request a seat. We confirm your class and your seat by message.
- One seat is enough: your instructor comes with the class
- 1 instructor per group
- Maximum 4 in a group, and often fewer
Classes are based at our shop (Gudauri Hills Hotel, 1st floor) and in New Gudauri, and either can be the base of a posted class. For a class at the shop you can also meet the instructor at Gudauri Lodge. Pick your place when you book.
View Location on Map ↗How do I know if I am intermediate?
The intermediate class assumes you already ride. It is for you if all three are true: you can link parallel turns down a blue run without stopping, you can control your speed on a red run even if it is not tidy, and you can ride any lift in Gudauri on your own. If you still use a snowplough to control your speed, or you have not left the beginner slope yet, take the first-timer class instead — you will get further in it.
I skied a few days years ago and remember almost nothing. Which class?
Most likely neither: book a private lesson. A class moves at the level of the group, and half-remembered skiing rarely sits close enough to either level to be comfortable in one. You are welcome to ask for a class anyway — tell us honestly where you think you are and we will tell you honestly whether it fits.
What if I book the wrong level?
Tell us and we move you to the class that fits, whenever there is room in it. We do not refund a class booked at the wrong level.
We are at different levels. Can we be in the same class?
No — the two levels are taught separately, which is the point of having two. If you want to ride together whatever your levels, book a private lesson: it takes your party as it is.
Is this skiing or snowboarding?
Both are taught. If you ride a board, message us when you book so we put you with a snowboard instructor.
Is there anything above intermediate?
Yes, but not as a posted class. Message us and we arrange it directly.
What do we actually do in the intermediate class?
Everything past the three checks above. Parallel turns that keep their shape when the pitch steepens, speed you carry and control rather than scrub off, edges instead of a skidded stop, and the longer reds where all of that stops being theory.
There is no class on the date I want. Can I still come?
Message us with the date you want and ask to join. If we can put a class on it, we do.
How soon will you confirm?
Often within minutes. If you write at night, by the morning.
Do I pay now or on the day?
Neither. Once your class is confirmed we send you a payment link.
Can I change or cancel?
We move you to another date or another class wherever there is room. We do not refund a booking — the one exception is the lifts not running, which is answered under On the day.
Can I book for two or three of us together?
Yes. Book the seats in one go and you are in the same class.
How many people will be in my class?
4 at most, often fewer, with one instructor.
What if nobody else books that class?
It runs. A confirmed class is confirmed whether one seat sold or all of them.
Can I take several days in a row?
Yes — ask for each day you want. A class costs the same every day however many you take; the discount for booking several days is on private lessons.
What do I need to bring?
Your full kit, on you, at the meeting point: skis or board, boots, poles if you use them, and a helmet. The class starts at its start time and cannot wait for anyone still collecting gear.
How early should I arrive?
Five to ten minutes early, geared up and ready to ride.
Where do we meet?
Anywhere you like, or from our shop. It makes no difference to the class.
Do I need a lift pass?
Yes, your own. It is not included in the price of the lesson.
What should I wear?
Check the forecast on the morning and judge it for yourself. A bright day at -5 and a windy one at -15 are not the same mountain, and only you know how warm you run.
What language is the lesson taught in?
The one you pick when you book. We confirm a class taught in it.
How fit do I need to be? Is there an age limit?
Message us if you are unsure and we will tell you plainly, before you pay for anything.
How do I find my instructor?
Once your class is confirmed we send you their photo and the exact meeting point.
Three hours is long. Is there a break?
The lift rides are the break. You are not skiing for three hours without stopping, and the instructor sets a pace the group can hold.
Which slopes and lifts will we use?
The instructor decides on the day, by the weather and the conditions. It is the reason to take a lesson from somebody who was on the mountain yesterday.
What if I am faster or slower than the others?
The instructor works with you inside the class, but a group moves as a group and the lesson is the group's. If you would rather set your own pace, take a private lesson.
Can I ask for something specific?
Message us before you book. Some requests fit inside a class and some are a private lesson, and we will say which yours is.
Is it safe?
Not absolutely, and nobody who tells you otherwise is being straight with you. Skiing carries risk and accidents happen. We teach within your level and pick terrain to suit the group, and we still recommend insurance that covers skiing.
What if the weather is bad?
If the lifts are running, the class runs. If they are not, you choose: another date, or your money back.