About Perisher Snowsports School
Perisher Snowsports School is the official learn-to-ski and learn-to-snowboard program operated by Perisher Resort. As part of the Vail Resorts network, the school follows internationally recognised teaching methodologies and employs hundreds of certified instructors from Australia and around the world each winter. With dedicated learning areas at Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes, and Blue Cow, the school is the largest snow sports education provider in the Southern Hemisphere, processing thousands of lesson bookings every season.
Lesson formats range from group sessions for beginners through to private one-on-one coaching for advanced skiers and boarders looking to refine technique. The children's program — Panda Club for ages 3-5 and group lessons for 6-14 year olds — is particularly well-structured, with purpose-built terrain parks, moving carpets, and patient instructors who specialise in working with young learners. Adaptive skiing programs for people with disabilities are also available, reflecting the resort's commitment to inclusivity. Equipment rental can be bundled with lesson packages at a discounted rate.
The school's scale is both its strength and its challenge — during peak periods like school holidays, group lesson sizes can be larger than ideal, and wait times at the meeting points can test patience. However, the quality of instruction is consistently high, and the progression pathways are well-designed to move students from pizza wedges to parallel turns efficiently. For first-timers and families, bundling lessons with lift passes and rentals through the Perisher website offers the best value and the smoothest experience.
