Get to know ski schools
13 ski schools are located throughout Friuli Venezia Giulia, providing an opportunity for winter sport enthusiasts to make the most of the wide range of initiatives and activities on offer from ski instructors.
As well as providing all of the necessary information about group and private lessons and guided tours, schools can guarantee that their instructors are fully qualified and always up to date with their training. On their uniforms you will always see the Friuli Venezia Giulia Board of Ski Instructors and AMSI FVG logos, which prove their unparalleled professional credentials.
With the support of the efficiently run schools, the instructors can also provide specialist courses on specific techniques, such as freeriding, freestyle and telemark skiing. In addition, in Friuli Venezia Giulia there are a large number of instructors that specialize in teaching disabled people to ski.
Group lessons
Learning to ski or honing your skills in group lessons is a great way to have fun and master techniques at the same time. There are numerous benefits to joining others on the snow in this way, such as spending time in their company, learning by watching them, having the time to really take on board the movements and the little secrets that all instructors have in store for their students, discussing your experiences and sharing wonderful moments with others.
Although children are undoubtedly the ones who enjoy them the most, group lessons are recommended for people of all ages. They also offer significant advantages in terms of costs.
Ski schools can organize courses for groups that already exist (as long as the members are all of the same standard) or create their own groups to meet demand. Even if you are on you own, ask at your ski school because you never know: the perfect group course for your needs might be just about to start!
Private lessons
Having one-to-one lessons is the ideal solution if you want to enhance your style or learn a specific technique, if you have children who are still too young to be safe on the slopes or if you want to learn to ski but you feel ill at ease in a group. There is no question that it can be hugely beneficial and it means that you can have “tailored” lessons in order to achieve your goals while staying safe on the snow and on your skis.
When you book, make sure you tell the ski school what you want and carefully weigh up the different choices that you are given: in addition to private lessons, all ski schools have a wide range of other options with which you may not be familiar.
Children
There’s no denying that learning to ski when you are little is more fun and more effective, because it is easier to build up confidence and become accustomed to the snow when you initially approach it all playfully.
The right time to start is around 4 years of age because that is when children start to combine recreational activities with their early motor skills. Learning at this age mainly occurs through imitation, as children do not yet have the capacity to take on board abstract concepts. It is an ability that they do not develop until around the age of 10, when instructors begin to introduce technical aspects and skiing goes from being a game to being a real sporting activity.
Ideally, children who are learning should start with Alpine skiing (because it is more fun!) and have lessons with a ski instructor (rather than their parents!), preferably as part of a group. In addition, results can be achieved even more effectively if the same group stays together, because it not only facilitates the learning process but also helps to build up bonds between the children.
When you are trying to instil a love for skiing in your children, a crucial part is also played by making sure that they have suitable equipment (especially a comfortable helmet and warm gloves!) and listening to them if they say that they are tired or they need something: it is the only way to ensure that children will learn to love the mountains in the winter – which are so different from their normal surroundings – and happily take the plunge into the wonderful world of skiing.
Safety training
A specific code of conduct applies on all of the ski slopes in Italy. It can be found on the website of the Italian National Police Force (inserire link http://www.poliziadistato.it/articolo/1252-Regole_di_comportamento_da_tenere_in_pista/).
In general, the core principle is to use your common sense. That means that you must not only respect the other skiers on the slopes but also carefully consider your capabilities and the difficulties presented by each piste, which can vary due to factors such as the weather conditions and the state of the snow.
Having fun on the slopes is essential, but you must watch your speed and ensure that you always have the situation under control, especially if there are children or beginners around!
Skill Level Cards
Everyone who does Alpine skiing, Nordic skiing or snowboarding lessons organized by schools recognized by the Italian Board of Ski Instructors and AMSI will be given a Skill Level Card at the end of the course. The cards play a crucial part in establishing the level of proficiency that you have reached.
The cards are divided into three broad areas (bronze, silver and gold) and inside them points are awarded for individual activities on different types of slopes (nursery, blue, red and black) and types of cross-country skiing (powder and moguls). It is important to be aware of your scores because they reveal both your strengths and your weaknesses, so that you can continue to work on them.
The cards are recognized in all schools in Italy. If you are in a new place and you would like some lessons, your instructor can find out about your capabilities instantly and continue the process of honing your skills.