In an ideal world we imagine we'll be skiing merrily down the pistes with our 5yr old, teenage son on a snowboard and granny bringing up the rear!! And whilst the goal is of course to ski 'en famile' one day, everyone has to learn the basics. As a general rule we recommend using the services of professionals be it for crèche, ski instructor or ski school and as much as possible.
It is imperative to book your ski options at the same time as you book your holiday to avoid disappointment! Please also remember to book a helmet with your ski hire if your children don't already own one.Please note: Some organisations will require a deposit on reservation.
Private instructors
If your budget allows, paying for a private instructor gives you the flexibility and peace of mind needed so that you can also enjoy your free ski time and this could provide you with the key to a successful holiday.
The beauty of this system is that the instructor will arrive at your chalet at 08:30. You will depart with him in his minibus or vehicle to the slopes. If you book with him/her all day, he will return you to the chalet. They are good English speakers, and very flexible. Private lesson rates include 1 instructor for 6 pax of same ability, same discipline on piste or 1-4 pax off piste (not glacier)
| 1/2 day | € 315 |
| all day | € 435 |
Options for ages 3-10yrs
Our chalets are located in Les Houches. This is an ideal ski area for families. The slopes are sheltered, tree lined and there are lot's of restaurants and buvets for a hot chocolate (and loo stop!). For Ski Schools we recommend the ESF and Evolution 2 as the best options for lessons. Situated at Prarion telecabin is the 'Chavants' Nursery and ski kindergarten offering mornings or full days of supervised crèche and beginner lessons on their private ski fun park.
Alternatively there is a second well established ski kindergarten/crèche called the Panda club which is situated in Argentiere about 20-25 mins by car from Les Houches. If your party includes skiers of above intermediate standard they will certainly enjoy the skiing at the head end of the valley at Les Grands Montets or Le Tour. You may find it easier to place your children in the ESF in these ski stations.
Les Chavants Ski Kindergarten in Les Houches village
In a comfortable chalet close to the Prarion ski lifts is the local crèche which has teamed up with the ESF to offer a formula of supervised day-care and beginner ski lessons. The resort, together with the French Ski School, has made a great effort to provide facilities for the 3 - 5 year age group to enable them to take their first steps in learning to ski. The result is a very well-equipped "jardin des neiges" (snow garden) with lots of amusing activities and games, inflatable's, models/statues, a giant caterpillar, two nursery lifts with specialised instructors (1 instructor for 8 children) allowing your children to learn as they play. Crèche facilities include sleeping arrangements for the younger children. Open from 09:15-17:00
Piou Piou Rates 3-5 years
| 1 session Sat or Sun | € 33.00 pp |
| 6x 1/2 day with meal | € 149.00 pp |
| 9.15-11.30 or |
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| 14.15-17.15hrs |
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School Holidays
| 6 x 1/2 days with meal | € 152.50 pp |
| 6 x 1/2 days with no meal | € 95.00 pp |
| 6 meals with 2 hrs crèche | € 95.00 pp |
Creche and Ski Kindergarten 3-5ans with the ESF 9.15hr-14hr or 17hr
| 6 x 1/2 days ski school, Lunch, Kindergarten BOULE DE NEIGE 3-5yrs | € 264 pp |
| 6 x all day ski school, Lunch, Kindergarten CROC SKI | € 312 pp |
ESF Traditional Group lessons for children at Prarion lift
60 instructors offering their services; speed and star tests during the school holidays and have opened a new school this year aimed at teenagers and older children who would like to try their hand at freeride, boardercross and snowboard techniques!
Group Lessons - from Beginner to Competition Level
ESF instructors will do their best to help your children improve and have fun at the same time. Lessons are from Sunday to Friday inclusive, mornings or afternoons. Out of school holidays periods, lessons are mainly in the morning . Skiing on the same runs as Mum and Dad From 6 years groups of eight for beginners and ten for better skiers.,Ski or snowboard tests taken on continual assessment during the lessons Sunday to Friday and awarded at the end of the week.
Even when it snows it is possible to continue skiing in the forest , away from any avalanche risk, leaving them with a taste of adventure and some really magical memories.
www.esfleshouches.com
Course collectives for 6 half-days (mornings or afternoons)
| 6 x 2.5hrs | € 147.00 pp to 198.00 |
Competition Courses for 6 full-days in school holidays with slalom training
| 1 lesson 2.5hrs | € 108 to 131 per instructor |
Teenagers and adultes PRIVATE LESSONS 12-14.30hr. Morning lessons are 119 to 142 euros per instructor.
Team rider pro! The Les Houches ESF is one of the organisers of the Les Houches Kids Contest. Take dedicated boarder-cross lessons!
| 6 x 2.5hrs AM or PM | € 149.00 pp |
Snowboard
More than a sport - snowboarding is a state of mind ! Whether you are a beginner or an advanced snowboarder, instructors will share with you their passion for free-style, free ride, boarder-cross, and more...Learn within a group limited in numbers in a friendly atmosphere.
| 6 x 1/2 day course (6 x 2h30) | € 149.00 pp |
| 3 x 1/2 day course (3 x 2h30) | € 99.00 pp |
A team of specialised snowboarding instructors have devised a programme specifically for each level so as to maximise each pupil's progress. The ski school has limited the number of pupils per group to a maximum of six. Courses run from Sunday to Friday, mornings or afternoons. Out of school holiday times the courses are mainly in the mornings.