Ski Schools in Key Resorts

 When you're heading to the slopes, ski schools are for many either a necessity or a way of improving their technique. But how do you know what's a good ski school and what's not?

Unless you are willing to wait until you get to the resort(and the ski schools may not have any spaces left if you do this) then you are somewhat reliant upon the ski schools websites. But there are a few things we think you should look out for:

Qualifications and Experience of Instructors

Check on what level of qualifications the ski school say their instructors have and, if you are looking for your children, what experience the ski school has of teaching children. On the subject of children also check what the arrangements are for breaks and lunch, its a good indication of how well they understand the needs of children.

English Speaking

Sounds obvious we know but don't overlook this! Check how good the English speaking is and whether your children will only be in a group of English speaking students.

Size of Classes

This can vary hugely. Ideally you wouldn't want your childs class to be greater than 8 as after that individual attention can be hard to give.

Once you get to the resort do observe what you see happening on the slopes. How helpful are the instructors on the lifts? Are they patient and understanding of the children they are teaching? If you are not happy with what you see don't be afraid to feedback and ultimately change school.

Most resorts normally have a good number of ski schools to choose from. We have looked at some of the most popular ski resorts to see what is there.

By Will Smith

Whistler, Canada 

Check out Whistler Ski Schools

There is only one ski school in Whistler but don’t let the lack of choice here fool you. Adult class sizes are limited to just 4 which makes them amazingly small compared to many of their European counterparts. Children’s class sizes are also very good, up to 5 for children as young as 4 and for older children the class won’t be any bigger than 6. In addition you can find great variety of lessons e.g. extreme skiing and women’s only classes. The strength of the Canadian Dollar can make lessons expensive but the quality is amazing.

Les Arcs, France 

Check out Les Arcs Ski Schools

There is a good choice of ski schools in Les Arcs. If you are a beginner and want an English ski school then you may want to check out New Generation who are in Peisey-Vallandry. That is not to criticise the French ski school however who tend to teach by demonstrating what to do as opposed to doing a lot of explaining. For some this technique works better. In Les Arcs you will also find the children’s holiday specialist Esprit, who offer ski school classes for children. Please remember however that you can only be in their lessons if you book a skiing holiday with them.

Saas Fee, Switzerland 

Check out Saas-Fee Ski Schools

There’s a good choice of ski schools in Saas Fee. The Swiss Ski and Snowboard school has instructors who speak English and has a good reputation. Eskimos is also a good bet and can provide group and private lessons. They also have an excellent reputation with children. Then there’s British ski school Optimum and finally in the summer months there’s the Warren Smith Ski Academy. This is such a good resort for families and also for beginner skiers and boarders. In addition to all the ski schools there are also the British family friendly tour operators Esprit and Family Ski Company. But for ski schools Saas Fee offers skiers and boarders real choice and crucially - English-speaking instructors.

Val d’Isere, France 

Check out Val D'Isere Ski Schools

There are plenty of ski schools to choose from in Val d’Isere with good quality English speaking instructors. Progression Ski has a good reputation as does New Generation. ESF and Oxygene are also pretty big in Val d’Isere. If you are on a budget, check out UCPA, who can put together a budget deal for you. The Development Centre will help you with private lessons and finally if you want to go off piste in Val check out Top Ski. Val d’Isere offers a really good choice in ski schools whether you are an expert wanting private tuition to complete beginners. Just remember though this isn’t the cheapest ski resort.

Morzine, France 

Check out Ski Schools in Morzine

Morzine offers British skiers an excellent choice of ski schools. BASS come highly recommended as does Easy2Ride Ski and Snowboard Academy. Mint Snowboarding is another one to look out for, a small school of English speaking instructors. ESF are here as well, and also look at The Snow School which in addition to the usual group lessons, offers tuition in freeriding and freestyle. Morzine is a great resort for families and for beginners!

Arinsal, Andorra 

Check out Ski Schools in Arinsal

Arinsal is a really good place to learn to ski with wide open pistes. There are a number of excellent ski schools here with English speaking instructors. Arinsal Ski School has a good reputation as does Pal Ski School. Arcalis is the third ski school worthy of a mention although it does tend to specialise more in intermediates and up, rather than complete novices. So a good choice in Arinsal and in addition to the choice the other great benefit of ski schools here is the price, individual lessons which are often extortionate elsewhere in Europe, are a real bargain here.

Jackson Hole, USA 

Check out Ski Schools in Jackson Hole

As with many American ski resorts there is only one ski school but it makes our list as it’s so good! There are the regular group sessions but they offer women only classes and the infamous Steep and Deep Camps which will have you skiing and boarding in terrain you never thought you could cope with! For children the Kids Ranch has its own magic carpet and corral and for teenagers there’s the TGR Fall Line Camp which will accelerate their ability to ski off piste. So whilst the choice isn’t there the instruction is second to none and will improve your technique considerably.

Telluride, USA 

Check out Ski Schools in Telluride

As with most American resorts there is only one ski school in Telluride but its excellent! All levels are welcome from complete beginners to experts. In addition there are programmes like the Development Squad for children aged 3-14, aimed at giving them not only the ski/boarding skills they need but a real love of the sport and with some team building built into the day. Then there’s the women’s only ski and snowboard clinic and private lessons that include video analysis. So whilst Telluride offers only one ski school people really rave about it so it’s in our top 10!

Courchevel, France 

Check out Ski Schools in Courchevel

British ski schools are in abundance here with Supreme Ski, BASS and New Generation all based here. In addition do check out ESF whose instructors have improved as has the level of English which is now compulsory. This is a great resort for families and for those learning to ski, Mark Warner, Esprit and Powder Byrne are all here. For smaller children 1850 offers Le Village des Enfants, an introduction to skiing from 3 years old. Magic in Motion takes children from 4 to 6 years old and Supreme takes children from 6 to 12 years old. So good choice here and also a good resort for children learning to ski but, as with Val d’Isere, this is not a cheap place to learn to ski!

Cervinia, Italy 

Check out Ski Schools in Cervinia

Cervinia is a great place to learn to ski. There are a choice of 3 ski schools here. Unfortunately there isn’t a British ski school but all the schools have good English speaking instructors. Breuil, Cervino and Scuola di Sci Cervinia all have good reputations. All ski schools here accept children from 5 years old. One of the benefits of ski school here is the price, a lot cheaper than some of the French resorts particularly private lessons. For those of you who want to go off piste Guide del Cervino and Heliski Cervinia are worth checking out.