Choosing the right ski school for your children’s daily lessons isn’t always easy, especially nowadays with more options out there than there ever have been.
It’s now not only standard ski lessons on offer either. A wealth of winter activities are now taught and guided by professional instructors. Some activities like avalanche awareness courses and ski-touring are closely tied with traditional skiing, but others are a bit different… Tandem paragliding and speed riding, Paret excursions (traditional Alpine sledge), and guided snowshoe tours are just a small portion of what’s out there.
To make choosing the right school for your family or group a bit easier we have pulled together some of our favourite ski schools in our destinations.
Evolution 2 – La Clusaz
Evolution 2 offer much more than your average ski school. As the instructors are all passionate about freeride they offer a number of courses and lessons that you don’t find elsewhere. These specialties include avalanche awareness and safety courses and a half day off-piste skiing with local pro Seb Michaud. We met up with director Antonin Lieutaghi to find out more about his and Evolution 2’s stories.
Ecole du Ski Francais Manigod
With over 250 schools, Ecole du Ski Français (or ESF) is the largest Ski School organisation in France. ESF has a base in Manigod and offers group and private lessons for all ages. Many instructors speak English but it is important to mention if you require an English speaking instructor as not all of them do.
Ecole de Ski Internationale – Le Grand Bornand
ESI Starski offer group lessons for children and adults alike. Children can start from the age of three in the reassuring environment of the Mice Club. Small group sizes mean that the dedicated instructors at ESI Starski can give each skier the attention they deserve!
Ecole du Ski Francais – La Giettaz
The little mountain village of La Giettaz at the foot of the Col des Aravis is part of the Portes du Mont-Blanc ski region. Surrounded by spruce forests, its highest point is Le Torraz (1930m), which has a stunning panoramic view of Mont-Blanc and the Aravis.
ESF La Giettaz offer group and private lessons for all ages and abilities in this quaint resort.
Torico Performance Skiing – Morzine / Les Gets
Torico Performance Skiing is a small British independent ski school, run by Tim and Lisa Jackson. Tim, from England, and Lisa, from Scotland, hold the BASI Level 4 ISTD and full French equivalence. They have been teaching for over 20 years in the French Alps and have been based in the Portes du Soleil since 2003.
With a wealth of experience, they promise to show you great terrain (whatever your level!), help you develop and better understand your skiing, build confidence and have great fun along the way!
These are only a few of the ski schools operating in our destinations. To find out more visit our Insider’s Guide.
