Should ski instructors be tipped?
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M$5 Answers
Tipping an instructor is optional. More often then not, at the conclusion of a multi-week program, people tip.
Weekly, or for one time lessons, one of the best ways to say thanks (at smaller clubs) is simply to buy a beer at the bar for the next time the instructor shows up.
The best was after a busy Saturday if the bar had a few drinks already off tab. This is especially fun apre-ski with adults.
When I was slipped a tip, I often used it to buy stickers and other reward / prize stuff to give to kids as encouragement in-lesson.
But tipping is generally not needed. Instructors (generally) get paid more when they teach so they're happy just to do it. But if you have someone who really goes out of their way, it sure is appreciated.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
I see that as with a waiter, if you don't like the waiter you have then you don't leave a tip, but if you like him then leave him some.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
Ski instructors are different from waiters, and do not expect tips. Waiters usually expect tips. I would not tip a ski instructor, they don't work for tips. There are some jobs that like tips, others that don't, and ski instructors aren't out there for tips. Their job is rewarding, they get great exercise, have fun, get to ski everyday, etc. If they do great work as an instructor, refer them to someone else, or if you really have to give them a tip, get them a snack or something warm to drink.
"Reasonable" really depends on how you look at it.
There is usually a base day-rate that instructors are paid. Depending on the hill, your level, your seniority, reliability, etc this ranges between $50 and $250 per day. If the hill isn't busy or if you don't have the opportunity to teach any private lessons, you don't get any more than that. Anything above $100 is considered good... anything above $150 and you likely run the race program or lead the instructors.
The reason that I was both an instructor and a ski patrol was so that I could teach groups and private lessons when needed, get some extra cash, and get a higher end day-rate to patrol and pull medical stuff off the hill.
Of course the plus side is that most of the day, you're riding around with your friends and getting paid for something that most people pay to do.
Most hills don't stay open all year either. So even if you get paid top rate to be on the hill and have a full day of lessons, you're still not going to clear a lot of money per year. Don't even get me started about bad weather!
Instructing is either a part-time job or a lifestyle. Most instructors do it because it's an easy way to make ends meat while doing something they love.
I haven't met an instructor who doesn't deeply appreciate a tip. Especially since they're uncommon most of the time.
No, this is something different, at least in the US. Waiters and waitresses and some other service industry people are not paid normal wages and rely upon tips for most of their income. Ski instructors (and most instructors for that matter) get paid a reasonable amount per hour and tips are an optional bonus.
So I ask, if you were happy with your or your child's lesson, that you please tip your ski and snowboard instructors at the end of a lesson - it's an investment that comes right back at you.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
Is it a nice thing to do to show appreciate for a really great ski instructor who taught you a lot and doesn't get paid much? Yes.
If they were very helpful then I suggest you give them a few bucks (no more than $5), and they will be pleasantly surprised and very happy!
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$The more humorous answer...proceed with caution about trying this one on your bunny hill.
The minute I tip my ski instructor, is the second I won't be skiing. That's if you think I am tipping them over. First rule, don't tip the ski instructor with a Mahalo Dollar, or else you might no longer have a ski instructor. Second rule, don't tip the ski instructor with an American Dollar, as then you might have one less buck for a cup of coffee, and of course that coffee is not for you, it's for your excellent instructor!
What I would do, if I were you is get the ski instructor something like a coffee, a tea, or a snack. Ask them if they would like a nice warm (only warm, it's just a friendly way to say) drink, or a snack. To think about it, they are on the bunny hills all day teaching little kids how to ski, how to jump, etc. just so someday they could reach the black diamond level. Now, this is something they like doing, because it's rewarding, yet their real reward is skiing the challenging slopes and being the real ski mavens they've always aspired and dreamed to be. So, wouldn't you think a little energy booster would get them that extra motivation to really go on the double black diamond, now that's where some of these tip worthy instructors really belong, and that's the real tip of the iceberg when it comes to skiing and instructing. Their real tip, is the great hills they get to ski down in their time off from instructing, as to teach skiing is something you've really got to be more so passionate about doing than, just doing it for the tips.
Why tip them with something warm?
It only makes sense, tip the ski instructor with something warm and delicious, especially when it's cold outside. Even when you ask them if they'd like a warm one, they can always say, "how about a nice cold one." The warm one is always more inviting, it warms them up, keeps them energized, and they won't have to reach into their own pockets and take time out from their valuable ski day. By the way... always remember not to tip them over, or else you won't have a ski instructor for too much longer.
Hope this helps, and you are welcome to save your extra tips for Mahalo Answers people, those who aren't making it to the slopes as much anymore, as they sit on the computer answering questions throughout the day. Someday we'll be back on the slopes, yet here we are living vicariously through answering your tipping questions, imagining and thinking about how great it would be on the mountain peaks, as some people answer questions on here.
Ok, so you are waiting on the real answer this question... Most ski instructors don't do it just for the tips, but a good recommendation for the instructor can go the extra mile. If you seriously are considering tipping a ski instructor, most aren't tipping anything more than 15% to 20% max per lesson.
Remember, the best tip a ski instructor can get is a great recommendation for future ski instruction. The other best is a snack, or something warm, and then last but not least, a great tip!
Hope you enjoyed the answer, and it's all in good humor!
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
