Ski School is often an important part of a ski holiday, especially for beginners. For starters you can't learn to ski without it, skiing is one of those few sports where expert tuition is to be advised as opposed to just giving it a go with friends.
So, if ski school is potentially an integral part of your ski holiday, then what information and advice do you need once you've booked your holiday?
Beginner Ski Lessons
Beginner skiers, regardless of age, should very much head to ski school. Not only do you receive expert tuition, which allows you to improve your technique and enjoy more of the mountain safely but you will also be skiing with people of a similar ability — believe me, there's nothing more frustrating then being left behind by your friends all day when you're a beginner.
If you are heading out on your first ski trip try and find time to head to your local UK slope. A couple of lessons on either an indoor slope or dry slope will prove invaluable. If you turn up understanding the basics you will get a lot more out of your time on the mountain. Also, when picking your resort think of somewhere suitable for beginners, such as Alpe d'Huez or Les Gets — you're not going to be skiing the couloirs of Jackson Hole or Chamonix for quite some time!
Advanced Ski Lessons
Once you've got the hang of skiing and you've maybe even now had a couple of holidays without any lessons, it doesn't mean there isn't any tuition out there for you. Even instructors are always learning.
After a few weeks on the slopes you'll have an understanding of what it is you enjoy about skiing, so why not enjoy an advanced lesson or a skills clinic? These lessons are often aimed a specific technique, whether it be bump skiing (moguls), carving or even off-piste. Advanced clinics also don't mean you need to be skiing black runs, there are lessons for every level and by taking them you can only learn to enjoy more of the mountain.
Group Lessons Or Private Tuition?
Both group and private ski tuition have their benefits. Group ski lessons are great for a sociable experience, you are skiing with people of a similar level, they are great for kids — and happy kids means happy parents — and it means you don't have to ski on your own. It can also be very satisfying to progress as a group and if you are away with friends you may find you can all ski together.
Private lessons also have their benefits. They tend to be shorter and offer a more intense, often one to one, experience. Again, these ski lessons are ideal for all levels and are a great way of improving your technique as the instructor only has you to worry about. Another advantage is that you will receive a more tailor made experience, over the course of a few hours or lessons the instructors get to know what approach works best with you, the slopes to ski with you one, your sense of humour and what aspect of your technique needs to be worked on.
Whatever your level, age or tuition preference ski school can make a real difference to your holiday, and the more confident a skier you are, the more you can relax and enjoy the mountain. To help you with you pre-holiday arrangements here are a few of our favourite ski schools.
New Generation Ski & Snowboard School
Iglu Ski works closely with New Generation who have ski schools in a large number of popular ski resorts including Avoriaz, Courchevel, La Plagne, Les Arcs, Meribel, Morzine, St Anton, Tignes, Val d'Isere, Verbier and more. One of our ski experts can organise group or private lessons for you at the same time you are booking your ski holiday with us.
Ski Schools in Morzine & Avoriaz
Easy2ride Ski and Snowboard Academy (part of the ESI) offers both group and private lessons. Group lessons are limited to a maximum of eight pupils and six for beginners.
Telephone: +33 (0)450 79 05 16
Email: info@easy2ride.fr
Website: www.morzineski.fr
The Snow Institute offer quality British instruction based in Morzine, Les Gets or Avoriaz. Our aim is to provide you with flexible ski school lessons that will complement your holiday and maximize your enjoyment.
Telephone: 0844 484 33 44
Email: lessons@tsi.ski
Website: www.thesnowinstitute.com
Mint Snowboard School is a small team of British snowboard instructors based in Morzine, Avoriaz & Les Gets qualified to the highest level within the sport. Our young, enthusiastic team offer easy to understand techniques and fun focused coaching.
Telephone: +33 (0) 450 841 388
Email: info@mintsnowboarding.com
Website: www.mintsnowboarding.com
Ski Schools in Courchevel & La Tania
Momentum Snowsports are a small British Ski School based in Courchevel and La Tania. All our instructors are fully qualified under the British system with full French equivalence. We hope to meet you on the slopes soon and help you achieve some inspirational skiing.
Telephone: France - +33 (0) 761 871 375 / UK - +44 (0) 131 235 2306 / UK - +44 (0) 131 208 2079
Email: info@momentumsnowsports.com
Website: www.momentumsnowsports.co.uk
RTM Snowboarding are highly qualified British snowboard and ski instructors who operate between Courchevel and La Tania. We offer a range of lessons from beginners through to freestyle and off-piste either in groups or with your own exclusive instructor.
Telephone: Winter +33 (0)615 48 59 04 - Summer 07989 988 774
Email: info@rtmsnowboarding.com
Website: www.rtmsnowboarding.com
Ski Excel ski school in the Courchevel valley offers tailor made private ski lessons, specializing in children and families. Their aim is to provide a complete package from flexible collection and delivery and to the quality of the teaching and learning.
Telephone: France +33 (0)642 49 88 79 - UK 07836 328 610
Email: skiexcel@skiexcel.com
Website: www.skiexcel.com
Alpine Masters are a British Ski School based in Courchevel and La Tania. The school is dedicated to both youngsters and adults who have outgrown the traditional ski school experience and are looking to have fun whilst learning.
Telephone: +33 (0)648 90 60 77
Email: bookings@AlpineMasters.co.uk
Website: www.AlpineMasters.co.uk
Ski Schools in Meribel
Marmalade Ski School - Whether you will be skiing your first turns or discovering adventures off piste, Marmalade’s skilled and experienced team offer lessons for all levels. The fully qualified, handpicked instructors operate in Meribel, La Tania and Courchevel and offer private lessons, ‘how to’ sessions, off piste lessons, snowboarding lessons and more.
Email:info@skimarmalade.com
Website: www.skimarmalade.com
Parallel Lines British Ski & Snowboard School offer British Instructors holding the highest British and European qualifications. Whether you're a beginner or advanced, skier or snowboarder, adult or child, they have group lessons, privates and clinics to suit. We also offer off-piste courses and heli-skiing.
Telephone: France +33 (0)479 00 32 21 - UK 0844 811 2779
Email: info@parallel-lines.com
Website: www.parallel-lines.com
RTM Snowboarding are highly qualified British snowboard and ski instructors who operate in Meribel. We offer a range of lessons from beginners through to freestyle and off-piste either in groups or with your own exclusive instructor.
Telephone: Winter +33 (0)615 48 59 04 - Summer 07989 988 774
Email: info@rtmsnowboarding.com
Website: www.rtmsnowboarding.com
Ski Excel ski school in Meribel offers tailor made private ski lessons, specializing in children and families. Their aim is to provide a complete package from flexible collection and delivery and to the quality of the teaching and learning.
Telephone: France +33 (0)642 49 88 79 - UK 07836 328 610
Email: skiexcel@skiexcel.com
Website: www.skiexcel.comm
Alpine Masters are a British Ski School based in Meribel. Their instructors are amongst the highest qualified in the world and all hold full French equivalence, offering tailor-made ski coaching for those wanting to develop a flowing performance on all terrain.
Telephone: +33 (0) 625 564 901
Email: bookings@AlpineMasters.co.uk
Website: www.AlpineMasters.co.uk
Ski Schools in Val Thorens
Prosneige Ski & Snowboard School is approved by the Ministry of Education and offers you a wide range of activities such as ski, snowboard, carving, freeride, freestyle, telemark, handiskiing and snowshoewalking.
Telephone: +33 (0) 479 010 701
Email: info@prosneige.fr
Website: www.prosneige.fr
Ski Schools in Val d'Isere & Tignes
Progression Ski & Snowboard School is a British run snowsports school offering all lesson types including private lessons, clinics, groups, performance courses, off piste, highly acclaimed kids groups and teen clinics. We welcome all levels from beginner to expert.
Telephone: France +33 (0) 621 939 380 - UK +44 (0) 208 123 3001
Email: enquiries@progressionski.com
Website: www.progressionski.com
Oxygene Ski School is a family-run English language ski and snowboard school in Val d'Isere. Specialists in group and private lessons for adults and children of all abilities, from kindergarten to off-piste.
Telephone: +33 (0) 479 41 99 58
Email: valdisere@oxygene-ski.com
Website: www.oxygene-ski.com
Mountain Masters specialize in providing high quality tuition with both private lessons and group sessions. Kids, Teenagers and Adults, you whether looking for on piste or off piste, on ski, snowboard or telemark; enjoy skiing with Mountain Masters!
Telephone: +33 (0) 479 06 05 14
Email: info@mountain-masters.com
Website: www.mountain-masters.com
Freash Snowboarding is the 100% pure snowboard school In Tignes and Val d’Isere. If you are looking to learn or improve your Snowboarding skills then come to the experts.
Telephone: France - +33 (0) 607 509 013 / UK - +44 (0) 7753 219 719
Email: info@freshsnowboarding.com
Website: www.freashsnowboarding.com
Rebel Alliance Snowboarding is another 100% pure snowboard school In Tignes and Val d’Isere. If you are looking to learn or improve your Snowboarding skills then come to the experts.
Telephone: France - +33 (0) 6827 040 07 / UK - +44 (0) 7477 582 371
Email: info@rebelalliancesnowboarding.com
Website: www.rebelalliancesnowboarding.com
Ski Schools in Alpe d'Huez
Masterclass British Ski School offers the highest quality private skiing lessons & group ski clinics. Whether making the jump from greens to blues, or tackling challenging black run or off piste, each lesson will be tailored to your needs.
Telephone: Stuart - +33 (0)476 80 93 83 / Mel - +33 (0) 615 462 428
Email: Stuart@masterclass-ski.co.uk / Mel@masterclass-ski.co.uk
Website: www.masterclass.f9.co.uk
Snow Stance Ski School is an independent ski, telemark & snowboard school. We'll adapt to your needs & requirements as well asto suit your expectations. Our classes boast a maximum of five people per instructor.
Telephone: Oli: +33 (0) 608 755 572 / Seb: +33 (0) 608 108 964
Email: oli@stance-snow.com / seb@stance-snow.com
Website: www.stance-snow.com
Ski Schools in Les Deux Alpes
The European Ski & Snowboard School provide group and private tuition for families and individuals looking for the special care and attention that makes for the perfect holiday experience. Our team of instructors from Britain and Europe provide lessons of the highest quality.
Telephone: +33 (0) 476 79 74 55
Email: info@europeanskischool.eu
Website: www.europeanskischool.eu
Ski Schools in La Plagne
Oxygene Ski School is a family-run English language ski and snowboard school in La Plagne. Specialists in group and private lessons for adults and children of all abilities, from kindergarten to off-piste.
Telephone: +33 (0) 479 09 03 99
Email: laplagne@oxygene-ski.com
Website: www.oxygene-ski.com
Ski Schools in Verbier
Altitude Ski & Snowboard School are a team of internationally qualified instructors renowned throughout the alps for our high level of customer service. Altitude offer the most comprehensive range of products in Verbier for skiers and snowboarders of all ages and ability levels.
Telephone: +47 (0)27 771 6006
Email: info@altitude-verbier.com
Website: www.altitude-verbier.com
Explore the amazing ski area of Verbier with Adrenaline Ski School. They offer ski, snowboard, telemark and private lessons from beginners to freeriders. For children we offer group lessons limited to six persons. Adrenaline ski school is member of Swiss snow sport the official Swiss ski school association.
Telephone: +47 (0)27 771 7459
Email: info@adrenaline-verbier.ch
Website: www.adrenaline-verbier.ch/en/
Ski Schools in Zermatt
Summit Ski and Snowboard School is Zermatt's first British ski school, providing top quality instruction to the English speaking guests in Zermatt. They offer private lessons in ski, snowboard and telemark as well as ski groups for adults and children.
Telephone: +41 (0)27 967 0001
Email: info@summitskischool.com
Website: www.summitskischool.com