If you look for children’s ski lessons in France, chances are you’ll come across terms like “Piou Piou” or “Petit Yeti”. But what does that mean? They are titles of medals given by French ski schools to children once they have successfully finished a ski lesson. Find out which award children get for which lessons and what they represent.
Continue reading “The level system in French ski schools explained”
Beginners and first-time skiers typically ask themselves this question before starting to learn to ski, and it’s not an easy one to answer! There are pros and cons to both types of lessons, and it depends on what you want to give (financially and physically speaking) and get out of your lessons. Factors such as your age and ski experience, your personality, the time and duration of ski lessons as well as your budget will all influence your decision.
Continue reading “Group Ski Lessons vs. Private Ski Lessons: Which should you choose?”
As a parent, you always want what’s best for your kid, and with skiing that’s no exception! If you’d love to finally go on that first family skiing trip but aren’t sure whether your child is ready for a ski lesson, then this blog article is for you. Find out more about the appropriate age to learn skiing, the typical duration of a ski lesson and what kind of equipment your little skier needs.
Continue reading “Your child’s first ski lesson: 3 prepping tips for parents”
The Spanish ski resort of Baqueira-Beret lies in the Catalonian Pyrenees, in the heart of the beautiful Aran Valley. It was founded by locals in the 1960s and consists of three neighbouring areas: Baqueira, Beret and Bonaigua. The resort is known to be the best and most popular in the country.
There are numerous reasons why everyone loves to ski in Baqueira-Beret, one of them being its huge number of ski slopes. A total of approximately 100 slopes are available to skiers of all levels, making the area Spain’s largest ski resort.
Another factor that plays a major role in the resort’s popularity is its location. It’s only a 2.5h drive from Andorra and France. Furthermore, a vast majority of the slopes are at an altitude of over 2000m, so you can be sure to find ideal snow conditions throughout the whole season. Since the resort is located on the western side of the mountains, you can also enjoy skiing one hour longer than at some other resorts, as there’ll be more sunlight.
I’ve already mentioned that there are roughly 100 slopes in Baqueira-Beret. But did you know that half of them are green and blue? This means that as a beginner you can already explore half of the resort! More experienced skiers can explore the 37 red slopes, 15 black slopes, and even 3 cross-country trails.
The top of the Baqueira gondola station is a quite popular area for beginners as it offers great conditions for first-time skiers. A bit lower, on the Bosque Plateau, there also are two green “beginner zones” where you can ski in a safe environment.
While I recommend Baqueira for beginners, you can also find beginner-friendly slopes and zones in other parts of the resort. For example, once you feel confident enough on your skis, you can head over to the snowpark in Beret. Yes, you read that right, snowparks aren’t exclusively for advanced skiers! The Marmota snowpark has both natural and artificial modules adapted to beginners, intermediate and advanced skiers.
Finally, all ski schools in Baqueira-Beret offer the option of renting the equipment (skis, ski boots, ski sticks, helmet). This is quite practical if you’re a first-time skier, as you may want to find out if you enjoy skiing before buying your own equipment.
Another service that makes learning to ski in Baqueira-Beret great for beginners is the ski lessons themselves of course. All three ski schools described below offer exceptional lessons for skiers of all levels. Beginners and first-time skiers usually start by learning to put on their skis, to sidestep upwards and then of course also to snowplough, do turns and break.
If you’re looking for a faster way to learn and progress, I recommend taking private lessons. In a private setting, instructors can more easily analyse your individual skills, weaknesses and needs and will adapt the lesson’s content accordingly. Another advantage of private lessons is the small group size. You can choose between a one-on-one lesson or a private lesson with your friends or family. Please note that your instructor adapts the course programme to the needs of the skier with the least experience, meaning this makes most sense if your whole group has approximately the same level of experience.
The meeting point of the following ski schools is at the top station of the Baqueira gondola. You can get started right there as this point marks the start of several blue slopes that offer a safe, not too steep but wide terrain. The instructors are all highly qualified (and multilingual!) and will teach you how to ski with a fun and easy approach.
| Group lessons: | for children (4-17) and adults |
| Private lessons: | for children and adults |
| Other offers: | snowboarding & off-piste skiing |
| Group lessons: | for children (4-6 & 7-12) and adults |
| Private lessons: | for children (4-12) and adults |
| Other offers: | snowboarding |
Ski Life Escuela de Esquí Baqueira
| Group lessons: | for children (3-15) and adults |
| Private lessons: | for children (over 3), families, and adults |
| Other offers: | snowboarding & ski touring |
Spain is a beautiful country that has much to offer, especially when it comes to scuba diving! I’ve collected all the important information about the 4 best spots to go scuba diving in Spain. These spots are all over the country and therefore offer diverse experiences.
Continue reading “Scuba Diving in Spain: the 4 best spots”