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Ski Schools in Chamonix
Learn to ski in Chamonix
Located at an altitude of 1035–3842m in the Haute-Savoie, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc can be reached within just over an hour’s drive from Geneva airport. The resort has 150km of pistes and ski schools in Chamonix make the most of the varied terrain, offering ski lessons for all levels including off-piste tours.
Chamonix resort has 4 villages - Les Houches, Chamonix Village, Argentière and Vallorcine - these villages giving access to 4 high-altitude areas: Les Houches offers a magnificent 360 panoramic view of the Mont Blanc, varied slopes and the famous World Cup run “La Verte des Houches”. In the valley, the Flégère-Brévent area offers a freestyle zone, a speed piste and the beginners’ area “Le Savoy”. Higher up, Les Grands Montets is especially popular with off-piste skiers and the Balme-Vallorcine area offers numerous wide and easy slopes.
The resort famously hosted the very first Winter Olympics in 1924 and is home to the Ecole Nationale de Ski et d’Alpinisme, the official certification body for French ski instructors.
Ski lessons for beginners in Chamonix
The ski schools in Chamonix arrange group lessons according to age and ability. Chamonix resort has 6 ski beginners areas, Le Savoy and Les Planards being the closest to Chamonix village. Beginners meet for lessons either directly at the “Kid’s Garden” slopes, or at a specific beginners’ area.
First-time skiers are taught the basic skiing techniques of gliding and the snowplough with turns. Those who have mastered the first moves are taken by the ski schools in Chamonix to practise their technique on the additional 6 green pistes and 30 blue pistes further up the mountains.
With its easy green runs, the ski schools in Chamonix recommend the Les Planards area as the ideal head after lessons, to practice the techniques learned earlier in the day.
Kid’s ski lessons in Chamonix
In Chamonix, ski lessons for kids are offered from age 3yrs upwards. Several ski schools in Chamonix have their own ski nurseries with beginner slopes and fun areas just for young beginners. Here, ski novices usually meet directly by the school slopes.
Other ski schools in Chamonix meet and hold their lessons for very young skiers at one of the beginner areas: The Le Savoy area in Chamonix village has very gentle slopes, 2 basic drag lifts and a rolling carpet. Les Chosalets, Argentière has gentle pistes that are slightly more challenging and ideal as confidence-builders. La Vormaine has a ski kindergarten plus 2 green runs and a blue slope.
Kids ski lessons have a maximum of 10 children of a similar age and level. The lessons last for between 2,5hrs-3hrs/day, or for 5 hours spread over the day with a lunch break. Ski schools in Chamonix take ski novices who are steady on their skis soon move from the beginner slopes to practise on some of the gentler blue pistes within the resort.
Young intermediate skiers to try some of the 55km of red runs within the resort, Les Houches being a favourite choice for ski schools in Chamonix, with its 13 red runs.
Ski lesson prices in Chamonix
Ski schools in Chamonix offer group and private ski and snowboard lessons. Some lesson packages come with a lunch option. The prices quoted are the lowest price per lesson within the season and do not include equipment or any extras:
| Kids ski lessons | Adults ski lessons | Snowboard lessons | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group | from 29€/2,5hrs | from 35€/4hrs | from 29€/2,5hrs |
| Private | from 52€/hr | from 52€/hr | from 52€/hr |
The best ski schools in Chamonix
ESF Chamonix
The ESF team of 280 experienced instructors offer skiing, snowboarding, off-piste and ski touring lessons in English and French.
Meeting point kids: At the ESF chalet, Chamonix.
Meeting point adults:At the Maison de la Montagne, by the church.
ESF Vallorcine
A friendly team of experienced instructors helps skiers at all levels improve their technique.The Piou-Piou Club welcomes little skiers in groups of 8 from 3yrs upwards. Advanced skiers can try out freeride, telemark skiing or ski touring. ESF Vallorcine offers ski lessons in English and French.
Meeting point beginners: The ESF chalet at the "Stade de Neige" in La Poya, next to the Le Buet train station.
Meeting point advanced: The ESF office, next to the Vallorcine gondola starting station.
Evolution 2 Chamonix
The state-certified instructors at Evolution 2 Chamonix will help skiers of any age build their confidence on the slopes. The Panda Club has its own small ski slope and a large snow-garden, for young beginners. Lessons are offered in English and French.
Meeting point kids: The Panda Club office, next to the restaurant "L'Argentero" in Argentière.
Meeting point adults: The Savoy beginners area at the bottom of the "Plan Praz" gondola lift, Chamonix village.
CheckYeti customers reviews: Patient, beginner-friendly, experienced
Freedom Snowsports
Skiers and snowboarders from age 6yrs upwards can enjoy the experience and individual attention of the Freedom Snowsports Team. The school offers private ski lessons in English, French, Slovenian, German and Italian, plus ski touring lessons.
Meeting point Chamonix village: Brevent, just outside the top of the 'Planpraz' telecabine.
Meeting point Argentière: At the bottom of the Grands Montets lift station and 'Plan Joran' telecabine.
Meeting point Les Houches: Outside the 'Prarion' telecabine base station, by the giant piste map.
CheckYeti customers reviews: Beginner-friendly, reliable, patient
Skibex Chamonix
3 expert instructors with decades of experience between them offer private ski, snowboard, off-piste and ski touring lessons. At Skibex, lessons are offered in English, French, Swedish and Italian.
Meeting point: Arranged individually.
CheckYeti customers reviews: Relaxed, patient, experienced
European Snowsports Chamonix
ES Chamonix specialises in private lessons for skiers, snowboarders and freestylers in English, French, Italian and Spanish.
Meeting point: Arranged individually.
CheckYeti customers reviews: Experienced, beginner-friendly, relaxed
Ski hire in Chamonix
For skiers who prefer to hire equipment, there are 18 outlets offering ski hire in Chamonix, all within the central Chamonix area. Some ski schools in Chamonix may have special deals with affiliated ski hire centres.
Chamonix ski pass
Chamonix-Mont Blanc valley has 3 ski passes: The Chamonix Le Pass is for use within the beginners areas of La Vormaine, les Chosalets, les Planards and la Ploya. The Pass also covers the Brévent, Flégère, Balme (Tour & Vallorcine) and Grands Montets areas.
The Les Houches Forfait card covers the Les Houches and St. Gervais skiing areas, plus the Mont-Blanc tramway.
The Mont Blanc Unlimited card covers all of the skiing areas within the Mont Blanc region.
What makes learning to ski in Chamonix so special
The Aiguille du Midi cable car holds the world record for the highest vertical ascent of almost 3000m. At the top, visitors can learn about all things Mont Blanc at the world’s highest museum, the Musée d’Alpinisme. Also within the museum is the heart-stopping “step into the void”, where those who dare can step into a glass cube secured to the uppermost terrace of the mountain, at an altitude of 3777m.
Getting around Chamonix couldn’t be easier thanks to the free shuttle bus departs every 30 minutes and travels to each of the lesson meeting points within the Chamonix resort. Additionally, skiers staying in the Chamonix Valley are given a free travel pass for train journeys within the entire ski region.
FAQs
How do we find a suitable activity?
In every ski resort you will find an overview of all available offers. On the left side you have filters to quickly find the right offer. For example, you can search specifically for beginner ski courses for children in groups.
How do we find offers for our desired date?
Under the menu item "Select course date" in the upper left corner of the page you can select a desired start date. At the top of the search results you will find the offers for the desired start date. Below follow offers in a similar period.
How do we find group lessons or private instructors?
Group courses are marked with "Group". You can search specifically for group courses by selecting the "Group" filter under the "Category" menu item. Private teachers are marked with the inscription "Private". You can search for private teachers by selecting the "Private" filter under the "Category" menu item.
How do we find offers in our language?
Under the menu item "Language" you can select a desired language. Afterwards only offers will be shown where this language is available.
When should we book?
During the holiday weeks, ski and snowboard courses are usually fully booked. In order to make sure that there is still a place available in the desired ski or snowboard course, the motto is: the sooner the better.
How do we find our appropriate experience level?
Next to the menu item "Experience level" you will find a description of the individual experience levels. If you're still not sure, you don't need to worry. Simply choose the experience level that best suits your abilities. Before the first lesson of a group course, ski schools will assess your abilities so that you can be placed in the right group. In any case, private instructors will take your abilities into account on an individual basis.
How do we find offers including equipment?
All offers including equipment are marked with the inscription "Ski rental included". If you find the inscription "Ski rental optional" you can book the equipment for this offer. You will find offers including equipment faster if you select the filter "Ski rental including" under the menu item "Popular options". Depending on the provider, an offer including equipment contains: skis, ski poles, ski boots and helmet. You will find a detailed list of the included rental items in the respective offer description.
There is no offer including equipment, where can we alternatively rent equipment?
In a ski resort there is almost without exception the possibility to rent winter sports equipment. If you book via CheckYeti, you will receive discounts from our partner Skiset, where you can conveniently reserve your equipment online.
How many participants are usually in a group?
This depends on the ski school. Some ski schools have a maximum number of participants per group. You can find this information in the descriptions of the offers.
At what age can children ski or snowboard?
There is no fixed age limit here. Supported by specially trained children's ski instructors, children can already learn to ski playfully at kindergarten age. Depending on the children's level of motoric and social development, the ideal starting age is between 4 and 5 years. Occasionally there are children who can already learn to ski at the age of 3 1/2 years.
How many days should the lessons last for our children?
During the holiday weeks, children's ski courses for beginners usually start on Sunday or Monday. The program is designed in such a way that the best learning results are achieved when your children take part in the ski course throughout the week. So they don't miss the final event (race, etc.) and experience a great week with their group. For advanced children the learning success usually kicks in on the third day.
Is it better to put our child in a group lesson or a private tuition?
The group lessons are generally recommended for beginners. Learning together with peers is more fun. The children are not constantly in the focus and have the possibility to catch their breath between the individual exercises, while the other children are on it. In order not to underchallenge highly talented children, a private ski instructor is recommended.
Can we join our child with a private instructor?
Yes, that's possible. Some providers even offer special family offers. Otherwise, you can simply book a private instructor for children or adults and inform the ski school after booking that you would like to go together.