Ski Lessons in Chamonix

Why book a ski or snowboard instructor in Chamonix?

Why lessons are worth every penny

Learning to ski or snowboard opens up a whole new world of possibilities and means that you can enjoy one of the most exciting sports in some of the most beautiful locations. Powder, pipe, park or piste whatever you aim towards the quickest way to get there is to learn from a professional ski or snowboard school. Thankfully there are plenty to choose from in Chamonix, from the well-known franchises like ESF to outdoor specialists like Evolution 2.

The first thing to decide is what you want to learn and what your current level is. The first decision is very much up to you but it is best to let the instructors work out what sort of lesson you require. You may well be able to score the highest points on your Wii snowboarding in your living room but this does not necessarily mean you will be able to pull a switch double cork on your first day.

Not only will an instructor be able to assess your current level but they will be able to help you set realistic goals for your time on the hill and they will remain impartial which is essential when learning something new.

“You wouldn’t have your husband teach you to drive” says Jacinta McHale, Sales Manager at Evolution 2 in Chamonix. “And it’s the same when you want to learn to ski or snowboard. It is great fun but initially it can be a little intimidating and you want someone there who understands that and knows how to deal with it.

If you have seen any of the winter sports be it skiing, snowboarding, paragliding or speed riding and thought they looked like fun but were put off by thinking they looked hard you were only half right. Anything is possible with an instructor and whatever you want to learn to do on the mountains you can. A qualified instructor can teach you any of these sports and make sure that you are safe and having fun.”

These day’s instructors are very highly trained, especially in France and have spent at least four years learning their trade. Part of that training involves a language course. Gone are the days of French ski instructors knowing only three words; “Bend zee neeez!” and booking with a ski school you will, almost, always be guaranteed an instructor who is fluent in your native language. In recent years too the British ski and snowboard association (BASI) has been recognised by the French authorities meaning more and more Brits are now working on the hill in France.

Once you have decided to take lessons and found your understanding, patient and English speaking instructor you need to decide if you want group or private lessons and how many.

“It’s really up to the individual” explains Jacinta, “a private lesson offers more freedom and personalised tips that will help you improve your levels of confidence without other people around but a group lesson is more social and can be a great way to meet new people.

If you can already ski or snowboard then you may only want one session in a week. Sometimes it’s a good idea to have a booster session at the beginning of the week to remind yourself what it’s like or you may want to have a technical improver’s session later on once your ski legs have come back.”

Being able to ski or snowboard is not the same as being able to teach skiing or snowboarding. A qualified instructor will have spent years learning about the best ways to make the most of your time on the hill whilst making sure that you’re safe and having fun. You will learn quicker with an instructor and you will progress faster without picking up bad habits and these days you can do it all in English.

To contact Jacinta at Evolution 2 directly call or to book with ESF click the links or to find more ski schools have a look at our Ski and Snowboard Schools page.

Ski Lessons in Chamonix

So often when it comes to booking ski and snowboarding lessons in a new resort, you are faced with a long list of providers and it can seem a bit of a lucky dip as to whether you pluck the right one out of the hat. Our guide will make your decision-making process easier and help you find the right team to progress your skiing and snowboarding in Chamonix.

Group lessons
Group lessons in Chamonix are the most cost effective way of learning to ski or snowboard, particularly for beginners and children. Lessons tend to be half days, either every morning or every afternoon and run for four to six days. During peak periods, there are sometimes group lessons held over lunchtimes. Most people are keen to have lessons in the morning so they have free time to ski or relax in the afternoon, however some of Chamonix's slopes, particularly at Grand Montets, don't receive sunshine until mid-morning and can therefore be cold and very hard in January and February, making an afternoon group lesson a good option. Group lessons are generally only provided by the ski schools (see Who below for details) and classes vary from half a dozen up to 10. They are a great sociable way of learning to ski. Our final tip is to make sure you know exactly where you are meeting your instructor on your first morning as it's easy to forget in the rush of getting up and out.

Private lessons
If you've a bit more money to spend, private lessons are a great way of receiving focussed and tailored instruction to help you improve your skiing and snowboarding quickly. They're perfect for a beginner wanting to rapidly grasp the basics and for intermediates wanting to focus on specific elements of their technique. As most private ski lessons take up to four people, they can actually work out good value for money if you're a small group who are all at a similar level. In high season, it is advisable to book private lessons in advance as instructors tend to be fully booked and only have odd hours free for lessons. An additional advantage of having a private lesson during peak periods is priority queuing at ski lifts, avoiding what can be hefty shuffles for the chairs and bubbles during school holidays.

Snowboarding lessons
Perhaps it might seem a bit uncool to be seen following the iconic bright colours of a snowboard instructor in a single line down the blue runs. However, learning to snowboard can be a painful process in the first few days but with some good instruction it shouldn't take long before it ‘clicks' and you are cruising down the slopes comfortably. Lessons are also a good idea because it's quite important that you don't pick up bad habits at the beginning as these will hamper your boarding as you try to progress. Both group and private lessons are offered by expert instructors at the ski schools in Chamonix.

Ski clinics and ski guiding
Chamonix is known for having some of the best and most challenging off piste skiing in the Alps. It also has a wealth of instructors and guides who are able to improve your skills, knowledge and awareness in order to allow you to make the most of what the Mont Blanc Massif and around has to offer. Probably the most commonly available are off piste ski clinics, with courses for all abilities from the completely uninitiated in the softer fluffy white stuff, right through to those who want to focus on smooth skiing in deep powder. For those wanting to develop their skill and ability on the bumps, specific mogul clinics can be booked too. Chamonix also offers the expert skier a chance to navigate some spectacular steep couloirs and there are courses focussing specifically on improving your ability to ski the ‘steeps'. If you're thinking of heading off piste at all, it is essential that you are fully prepared in case something does go wrong, and so the various avalanche awareness and crevasse rescue courses offered in Chamonix are an excellent way of improving your knowledge and skills.

If you're not looking to improve, but want someone to show you around and help you find fresh tracks in the morning, ski guiding is probably for you. Chamonix is, of course, home to the infamous Vallée Blanche, one of the longest and most stunning off piste ski runs in the world and is one of the most popular ski guided experiences offered. However taking a guide to explore the wider backcountry is another great option and offers you far more likelihood of having these beautiful mountains to yourself. Guided heliski tours are also offered by a number of companies in the valley - a unique treat and a great gift for a special occasion.

Kids clubs
There are two main companies offering specialist ski clubs for children in Chamonix; Ecole du Ski Français (ESF) who have a ‘Piou-Piou' kids club and Evolution 2 who run a Panda Club. There are ESF clubs at both the Savoy and Les Planards beginners slopes in central Chamonix, as well as adjacent to the Prarion lift in Les Houches and at Grand Montets in Argentière. The Evolution 2 Panda Club is also located at the Grand Montets in Argentière. Both clubs take children from the age of three and offer half and full day ski and snowboard programmes with an option of lunch included.

Which ski school...?
There are two main ski schools in the Chamonix valley offering group lessons, ESF and Evolution 2, as well as many smaller and independent companies who tend to be able to offer more tailored options and niche courses.

ESF in Chamonix have worked incredibly hard to cast away the negative stereotype attached to ESF of old; one of a grey-haired instructor who speaks little English and teaches you to ski with your knees and ankles glued together. In all honesty, that was never completely true, but now more than ever the ESF ski schools in Chamonix have a modern face and outlook, and are a good value option for ski lessons. It is worth knowing too that ESF is an association and not an organisation, and each ESF school is independently run. So if you've not had a great ESF experience in another resort, you shouldn't assume all ESF schools in France will be the same. Chamonix's three ESF schools are ESF Chamonix, ESF Argentière and ESF Les Houches.

The outdoor specialists, Evolution 2, have a ski and snowboard school in Chamonix, offering on piste group and private lessons and a range of off piste options, as well as high mountain courses and tours. A favourite is the ‘Magic Spot' winter programme which is a days' guided off piste skiing in the spot which has the best conditions each week of the season. This programme goes to Verbier and Courmayeur as well as to Chamonix, depending on the snow.

For small groups and private lessons, the British Alpine Ski and Snowboard School (BASS) Chamonix offers a good option, with all English-speaking and qualified instructors. It is a British Association of Snowsport Instructors approved and affiliated company and has a range of off piste clinics and tours.

The Ecoles de Ski Internationales (ESI) is a French organisation which brings together nearly one hundred ski schools, mainly in France. It has two affiliated schools based in Chamonix; Ski Sensations which offers ski lessons and mountain guides, and Ecorider, an environmentally-conscious ski school.

Further details of smaller ski companies can be found on our Ski Schools and Private Instructors listings pages.