Anybody ever hired somebody not through the ski school for a private day lesson for 4-5 young kids?

It would be difficult for this to happen especially because there is a monopoly on the lifts and designated slow zones for the ski school instructors and trainees only. I get that it's a small fortune but private (group of 8 or fewer of your party) is the way to go. Typically ski school is one and done.

Our kids' instructor was so good we hired her to be our evening babysitter.

Fastest way for Vail Resorts to ban you for life outside of fighting and borrowing someone else's pass and yes they care and yes they will almost always find you. It's not that hard to spot if you know what you're looking for.

As someone that used to work for the Evil Empire, please do not do it, it's not worth it. Once block banned they will never ever ever remove it so it'll follow you and them for potentially decades and any new mountains they purchase, you lose access to.

If you're heading the Breck, the head of the ski school KVP is one of my best friends. I can see if she has any ideas or free lessons coupons.

But you're only talking about people that are employed by Vail, right? In other words...basically trying to get a ski school instructor to give lessons off the clock? Surely there's nothing wrong with hiring someone not employed by Vail to give lessons right?

Pretty sure he means anyone caught hiring or giving a private lesson would be banned. Like he said… VAIL Resorts is the evil empire.

I'm not looking to get free passes (not that I would refuse them for my two kids) or use somebodies epic pass. I'm looking for a local instructor that might be retired or have the day off. It is $1.200 a day through the mountain, I would think an instructor would jump at the opportunity to get paid more by cutting out the middle man.

I realize that but even hiring someone in no way connected to or employed by Vail? Assuming you both pay for ski pass and aren't using ski lessons lines, etc.

I don't know any more than anyone else here, but based on Just Panda's post and his knowledge I believe that's the case. Kind of crazy that they would be looking and spot that, but I don't doubt knowing what I know about VAIL. They are a machine.

If so, that's absurd. What about a parent teaching child (assume that's okay)? Grandparent? Uncle? Friend teaching a friend? Where's the line? Maybe the line is $ but how do you ever prove that?

Part of the reason I ask is we have a "friend" who started off as a babysitter in our favorite ski town. She still babysits for us and helps us in other ways but is also legitimately a friend as we've known her for years now. Her daughter is also an olympic skier and has offered to help with our kids skiing. We'd pay her, of course - but no one has to know that. Would that be prohibited? (Not a Vail resort)

I completely agree about it being kind of absurd and lots of potential gray area.

And maybe I misinterpreted what he meant.

That's not allowed. ALL bookings must be made throw the ski and snowboard school or you will lose your pass if caught and you'll 99% of the time get caught in a non sanctioned lesson.

Again though, you're talking about only people employed by the resort, right? Or not?

You're allowed to teach your family and friends but what the do is separate each person from the group and question them about how they know each other and then scan your passes to see if there's a connection through people connect or historical riding together. It's an operation and red coats and blue coats and yellow coats get paid to catch you. Blue coats will knock the the fastest because every unsanctioned private is a lesson that could've been fed to them through ski school.

DO NOT TRY IT.

If anyone's in Vail/BC/Aspen and need lessons just let me know and I'll go out with you.

No one can give an unsanctioned private or group.

If an employee gives one off the clock it's an immediate termination.

If a non-employee gets caught giving one they have their pass lifetime blacked, first offense.

Unsanctioned lesson = using any portion of the mountain for a lesson that involves a transfer of value for service. Basically giving a lesson in return for money or other value.

That's nuts! I shouldn't be surprised, though.

Damn - that's crazy. I still don't see how they could prove it in my example when we're friends with the person.

It's actually very common in the industry and believe it or not it's a USFS issue more than it is with VR. Non licensed business or Forrest Service land in direct competition with their Lessee, from whine they derive massive amount of revenue.

I think money is the line. Your friend teaching your kids for free is fine. Trying to make coin off of their backs is the line and I don't blame them.

I thought about letting friends borrow my pass once but figured I'd be banned for life if caught and I didn't want to risk that. Not to mention I get a big discount for retired military and it would suck losing that.

We did a private lesson for our kids and some friends kids. 5 in total and they had then skiiing in one day. Well worth the money especially cut 2 ways.

Done private lessons at Breck and Loveland for my kids. Loveland is a much better setup for them imo.

May not work for you logistically, but fyi.

You nailed it. Most people don't know that pass fraud is actually federal due to occurring on US Agriculture land.