Since new skiers aren't encumbered with gear, head straight for the nearest lot. No one should learn to ski on his or her own. Taking lessons from a friend will be an embarrassment at best, and divorce lawyers just love to see people taking ski lessons from a spouse. Make tracks for the mountain ski school and a professionally certified instructor. What you'll want to buy is a package plan that gives you a lift ticket, rental equipment and a group lesson.
Private lessons come at a premium.
But the novice skier will probably benefit from the encouragement of the group and the realization that he's not the biggest cluck in the nest. Finding your way around the lodge and its outbuildings can be a bit of a challenge. Just remember the order of things. Tickets first, then ski school, to sign up for a lesson. Get an early jump into the rental shop or risk standing in line behind busloads of school trippers for your skis , boots and poles.