A quick google search came up with prices between CHF 350 and 390. Try ski school in Zweisimmen, on their website they quote CHF 300 for one day (school, not guide).

http://www.skischule-zweisimmen.ch

That's the same I was quoted...bit too much for my budget.

You are going to a posh/expensive ski resort - that is what things cost.

> You are going to a posh/expensive ski resort ..

You don't even need to go to an expensive resort to pay thoese prices. That's about the right/reasonable rates for a full day (about 7/8hrs) private hire of a professional ski guide, anywhere in Switzerland, cities or resorts. In fact I found these rates even on lower side considering a hotel arranges it ( they should take a %). If you find it too expensive, forget it. If you hire a private guide, you might even have to pay his lunch as extra. Or consider hiring one for a half day for a orientation tour, if a rate for such exists. You should be able to save a little.

"You don't even need to go to an expensive resort to pay thoese prices. "

True. But the Gstaad is even pricier/posher than many other places. I wonder if the OP realizes how high end the area is?

janisj,

Gstaad is not all that expensive. Yes, there are a lot of 5-star hotels there, but there is at least one reasonable 4-star and a reasonable 3-star as well (reasonable for Switzerland). Both in great locations in/near the pedestrian zone.

Shopping for normal folks at the Migros, Coop, and nearby shops as well. Reasonable restaurants.

I spent 11 nights in Gstaad last August for the music fest, and two years ago I spent a week there.

s

Do without the guide. Skiing in Gstaad is pretty easy. It's not St. Anton.

Thank you all for your input. Just to clarify, I do realize that Gstaad is pricey. It not that I cannot afftord to hire a guide at that price, I just don't know if it is worth the cost and if I really need one there. We will be in Zermatt the week prior and we have a guide hired through Mountain Exposure Gourmet Ski Guides for a price of 290 CHF per day. That rate seemed reasonable to us, however, I assumed Gstaad would be somewhat comparable in cost.

We frequent Deer Valley, Aspen, Vail, Beaver Creek, Mammoth, etc. We are familiar with high end ski resorts. We were just hoping to enjoy a day with a guide and take in a true Swiss mountain experience.

Hi Susant

Gstaad isn't more or less expensive than any other ski resort.
Kids under 9 years can use the cable cars for free, sleep for free in most hotels in the rooms of their parents, etc. And you find also hotels and B&B with lower prices. The high price image is often a lot of a cliché.

Also ski instructors are about the same, than in comparable ski resorts. I'm an official Swiss Snowsports Instructor and can tell you, that 350-390 is the actual price you pay for a day for a official ski instructor in most ski resorts in Switzerland. Some schools bill even more. Zweisimmen is still a little bit less expensive, if you start in Zweisimmen with the lesson. As kappa1 mentioned a day for a ski instructor can be up to 8 hours (preparation/planning etc.) and is a job with a lot of responsibility for your guests etc. It's almost like a mountain guide job, for whom you pay about 500-600.-/day.
Be aware that schools with lower prices work sometimes with either not or less educated instructors to offer lower prices.
As Bedar mentioned you can easily explore the area by yourself and also have a true Swiss mountain experience. Maybe ask your hotel for advices.
Enjoy your stay.
pb