Ski lessons in the Netherlands

It’s winter. We’re snuggled up on the couch under a blanket and a good book. But in the meantime, many of us are also looking forward to spring break. Because then many Dutch people travel to the European mountains to go skiing! But how well prepared are you? Are you already an experienced skier, do you still have to learn all the ins and outs or could your technique be improved? And what about your children? Do they go on vacation in a class all week or do you have them take ski lessons in the Netherlands so that you can all have fun together in the snow?

Ski slopes in the Netherlands

That there are several ski courses in the Netherlands is not unknown. But did you know that throughout the Netherlands there are no less than 78 different locations where you can learn to ski or snowboard? There are snow tracks such as Snowworld, but also several brush tracks and roller ski tracks. So throughout the country you can go for ski or snowboard lessons. For your child, but also for yourself. But when there is so much choice, where do you choose?

We give you some tips here and of course we also let you know which ski centers are always fun to visit and take ski lessons in the Netherlands!

Learn to ski

You can’t start learning to ski early enough. You can see that when you’re being skied by a group of little kids during your ski vacation, while you’re just recovering from the unintended pirouette you just did on the slopes. Those little ones obediently follow the master or teacher and don’t think about falling or find anything scary. So the basics of skiing cannot be laid early enough.

The important thing when learning to ski is not only to learn what to do, but also to be able to feel the experience of a real mountain and real snow as much as possible. My children made their first ski meters on the brush run. There they start with a stiff mat where your technique is badly needed to move forward. So the kids were thus forced to do the right things if they were to get any speed.

However, the transition from the mat to the real snow turned out to be an unexpected step. The first time I stepped off the elevator with my son in Austria onto the real slope, he looked like Bambi on ice. Fortunately, it didn’t take him long to get used to the slippery snow. He picked up his learned technique super fast and skied past his own mother in no time.

But even for us adults, a few lessons before you take refuge in the snowy Alps or Dolomites are not a bad idea. If only to get your body used to the unnatural posture. But also to get back on edge with your technique. Because most people unintentionally end up hanging back too far, which means that on the mountain you sometimes gain more speed than intended….

Different locations for ski lessons in the Netherlands

You can take ski and snowboard lessons on a Brushcourse at Outdoor Valley Wintersport in Bergschenhoek and at Skipiste Nieuwegein.

These are both locations with several ski slopes, as well as a store and a cozy catering establishment where you can have hot chocolate and apple pie together before or after skiing.

There are also several snow halls in the Netherlands. Here the children not only have the experience of a “mountain” to ski from, but also get used to the feeling of skiing on snow. And all snow courses in the Netherlands have decorated their locations as atmospheric skiing spots with apres-ski-like furnishings and cozy restaurants so you can stay for a bite to eat as well.

You can ski in the snow in the Netherlands at De Uithof in The Hague. And Snowworld currently has 5 different locations. In Zoetermeer, Rucphen, Velsen and Snowworld Landgraaf, where you can even stay overnight in the Snowworld hotel.

learn to ski (even) better

Learning to ski is not only important for children, but for us as well. And even if you’ve been skiing for years, you can keep improving your technique. Because the better your technique is, the smaller the chance of injuries or accidents and the more confident you will be on your skis in the mountains. Improving your technique is not always possible at the regular ski schools in your ski area. They often only teach a limited level in groups.

It is better to take private lessons or to take lessons on a ski roller. Because you are not distracted by height, depth or snow conditions, you and your instructor can fully focus on your technique. You feel much better what you are doing wrong and when you are doing it right how it should feel. Throughout the Netherlands you will find locations where you can take ski and snowboard lessons on the rollerblade. This is possible both privately and in groups (although the groups are small because there is usually a maximum of 3 people on the track at the same time). Examples of this kind of ski centers are Roundhill Dordrecht, Alpine SportsDenHoorn and Skicentrum Heemskerk and Ski & Snowboard Xperience in Alphen aan den Rijn you can be divided into group lessons with people of the same skin level in addition to private lessons. Our blogster Marian has her children on ski lessons at Ski & Snowboard Xperience in Alphen and in a blog tells what her experiences there are.

Fun ski slopes for a day out

Want to make skiing a fun outing? Several ski resorts around the country regularly organize fun activities themselves, but also offer you customized activities. For example, at De Uithof in The Hague and at the Snowworld locations you can organize a fun children’s party. But fun children’s parties are also organized at the various roller rinks.

The locations of Snowworld also have several halls where you can organize your own event. A party or business meeting for example. In addition, all these locations have atmospheric and spacious restaurants, where you can not only have a bite to eat with each other, but also join large groups. During holidays such as Easter and Christmas, or Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day, cozy brunches or fondue evenings are regularly organized.

At the Uithof, besides skiing, you can also skate, climb, nerf, go-karting and laser gaming. At Snowworld they have extensive fitness areas at both locations and a beautiful outdoor area where you can exercise, walk, run or bike. And in Landgraaf, besides the snow hall with hotel, you will also find a real climbing park and toboggan run. So there is plenty to do!