Can you cancel ski lessons during bad weather?

In Skiing techniques November 7, 20256 min read

The winter vacation is approaching, you’ve booked your ski lessons, but then the weather changes. Extreme cold, heavy snowfall, or a lack thereof – all factors that can disrupt your carefully planned skiing pleasure. Should you forgo your lessons, or can you cancel them? And if so, will you get your money back? In this article, we discuss everything you need to know about canceling ski lessons due to bad weather, the conditions involved, and what alternatives are available. Because even when the weather doesn’t cooperate, your winter sports vacation doesn’t have to be washed away!

When Does Bad Weather Count as a Valid Reason for Cancellation?

The question of whether you can cancel a ski lesson due to bad weather is not always easy to answer. What you as a recreational skier consider ‘bad weather’ might still be perfectly workable for a ski school or instructor. Let’s examine the different weather conditions more closely.

Extreme Cold

When the temperature drops well below freezing, especially combined with strong winds, skiing outdoors can become dangerous. Most ski schools apply a limit around -15°C to -20°C (wind chill temperature). At temperatures below this threshold, lessons are often canceled due to the risk of frostbite, especially for children. In such cases, ski schools usually have policies to cancel or reschedule lessons.

Heavy Snowfall

Although fresh snow makes every winter sports enthusiast’s heart beat faster, too much snow in a short time can cause problems. During heavy snowfall, slopes may be closed due to avalanche danger or poor visibility. When lifts aren’t operating due to these conditions, most ski schools consider this a valid reason for cancellation.

Storms and Strong Winds

Wind is an important factor that is often overlooked. When wind speeds exceed certain limits (usually from 60-80 km/hour), lifts are shut down for safety reasons. If the lifts aren’t operational, a ski lesson can typically be canceled. Note: local wind conditions in the mountains can differ significantly from the general weather forecast for an area.

Lack of Snow

A shortage of snow is a more difficult case. Many ski areas nowadays have snow cannons that can artificially snow the slopes. If there is enough artificial snow to ski on, ski schools usually don’t consider a lack of natural snow a valid reason for cancellation, even if conditions aren’t ideal.

Subjective Experience versus Objective Criteria

The main difference lies in what you as a skier consider ‘bad weather’ and what is objectively considered unsafe or unworkable. Ski schools base their decisions on:

• Official warnings from weather authorities
• Decisions by lift operators to close lifts
• Safety standards and guidelines for instructors
• Ski resort-specific protocols

If you personally find the conditions too poor to ski, but the ski school judges it safe enough, you often have no right to free cancellation or full refund. This is an important point to consider when booking your lessons.

Cancellation Policies at Different Ski Schools

Cancellation policies vary greatly between ski schools and ski areas. Here’s an overview of what you can typically expect:

Standard Cancellation Policies

Most ski schools in the Alps apply these basic rules:

• Cancellation more than 24-48 hours in advance: often full or partial refund
• Cancellation less than 24 hours in advance: usually no refund
• No-show without notification: no refund

In Austrian ski areas such as St. Anton or Sölden, it’s common that you can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours in advance. French resorts like Val d’Isère or Tignes are often stricter and typically apply a 48-hour deadline.

Weather-Specific Conditions

Regarding weather-related cancellations, you’ll see major differences:

• Some premium ski schools offer a weather guarantee, where you’re entitled to a refund if the slopes are officially closed
• Other schools only offer a voucher or rescheduling of the lesson
• At smaller, independent ski schools, there’s often more room for a personal arrangement

In Switzerland, in areas like Verbier or Zermatt, ski schools are often more flexible during extreme weather conditions than in some other countries. This is partly due to the high prices they charge, but also because of their reputation for customer friendliness.

Difference Between Group Lessons and Private Lessons

There’s a clear difference in the cancellation policies for group lessons and private lessons:

• Group lessons: strict conditions because the entire group depends on participants
• Private lessons: often more flexible conditions, but generally more expensive to cancel

Note: when booking multi-day group lessons during peak season, such as Christmas vacation, the conditions are often the strictest. During these periods, there are usually long waiting lists and no shortage of people who want to take your place.

It’s always advisable to check the specific cancellation policies before booking a ski lesson, so you won’t be faced with surprises.

Refund or Rebooking Options

When your ski lessons are canceled due to bad weather, there are various possible scenarios regarding refunds. Let’s look at the most common options:

Full Refund

Full reimbursement is usually only possible in these cases:

• When the ski school itself decides to cancel the lesson due to weather conditions
• If the entire ski area is closed due to extreme weather conditions
• For early cancellation (often 48-72 hours in advance)

Important to know: if you decide to cancel because you think the weather is too bad, while the school is continuing the lessons as normal, you usually have no right to a full refund.

Partial Refund

In many cases, ski schools offer a partial refund:

• 25-75% refund for cancellation within a certain timeframe (often 24-48 hours)
• Administrative fees that are withheld (typically between €15-30)
• Proportional refund for multi-day packages

The amount of the partial refund usually depends on how far in advance you cancel and the specific policy of the ski school.

Credit for Future Lessons

An increasingly popular option at ski schools is offering a voucher:

• Full value of your lesson as credit for a future booking
• Valid for a certain period (usually the current season or sometimes also the next one)
• Sometimes with extra discount or bonus as an incentive to choose this option

This is an attractive option for many skiers, especially if you’re staying in the area longer or planning to return.

Insurance and Cancellation Coverage

Many people forget the possibilities of good travel insurance:

• Some winter sports insurance policies cover cancellation costs for activities during extreme weather
• Credit cards with travel insurance sometimes also provide coverage
• Special cancellation insurance for winter sports vacations

It’s always wise to carefully review the policy terms before you travel, so you know where you stand if the weather turns bad.

Alternative Options During Unfavorable Weather Conditions

If your ski lesson can’t proceed due to bad weather, this doesn’t automatically mean your day is ruined. There are various alternatives that many ski schools offer:

Indoor Training Possibilities

More and more ski areas offer indoor alternatives during bad weather:

• Technique training in special indoor facilities
• Ski simulators for practicing balance and movement
• Video analysis sessions to improve your technique

These indoor options are often an excellent way to still work on your technique, even when conditions outside aren’t ideal.

Theoretical Training

Don’t underestimate the value of theoretical knowledge:

• Workshops on equipment knowledge and maintenance
• Safety training and avalanche awareness
• Theoretical principles of ski or snowboard technique

Many skiers find these sessions surprisingly valuable and notice that it improves their practical skills on the slope.

Adapted Lessons on Protected Parts of the Slope

During moderately bad weather, ski schools can often move to protected parts of the ski area:

• Lessons in lower, forested areas during strong winds
• Use of beginner zones that are better maintained
• Adapted programs focused on specific skills that can also be practiced in less than ideal conditions

This is often a good compromise when the weather isn’t optimal, but not bad enough to cancel everything.

Alternative Winter Activities

Many ski areas nowadays offer various activities besides skiing:

• Snowshoe hiking when the weather is too bad for skiing
• Cross-country skiing as an alternative during heavy snowfall
• Wellness and spa facilities for relaxation
• Indoor climbing walls and sports facilities

These activities can be a fun variation and ensure that your vacation day isn’t wasted.

At Ski-Pro, we understand better than anyone how disappointing it can be when your carefully planned ski lessons are washed away by bad weather. That’s why we’re happy to help you find the right ski school with flexible terms, or to discover alternatives when the weather gods aren’t cooperating. Because our passion for winter sports doesn’t stop with a bit of bad weather – and hopefully yours doesn’t either!