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Ski Schools in Courchevel
Learn to ski in Courchevel
The ski resort in Courchevel is situated in the French Savoie region, to the side of the Tarentaise valley and amidst the Vanoise massif mountain range. The resort can be reached in just over 2hrs from Lyon and Grenoble, and within 2,5hrs from Geneva.
Courchevel is encircled by several summits; the Croix des Verdons (2738m), Aiguille du Fruit (3051m) and Sommet de la Saulire (2738m) dominating the local landscape. Sommet de la Saulire is the resort’s highest point which, along with Col de la Loze (2305m), also serves as a gateway to the neighbouring resort of Méribel.
Méribel and Courchevel are both part of the world’s biggest ski resorts network: Les 3 Vallées - “the three valleys” - which offers 335 pistes over 600km and also encompasses the resorts of La Tania, Les Menuires, Val Thorens, Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, Orelle and Brides-les-Bains.
Courchevel itself offers 150km of pistes, the majority of them being blue & red. The resort extends over 5 interconnected and pretty villages: Courchevel, Courchevel Village, Courchevel Moriond, Courcheval-Le Praz and La Tania.
Ski lessons for beginners in Courchevel
Each of the villages within the resort of Courchevel has its own beginners ski area - the ZEN zones - with at least one free ski lift and various easy pistes. The ski schools in Courchevel particularly recommend Courchevel Village (formerly Courchevel 1550) for beginners, as it has the highest number of easy slopes. The ZEN zones have gentle slopes that are ideal for learning the first skiing moves.
Ski schools in Courchevel offer lessons from age 3yrs upwards and beginner lessons meet directly by the ski lift in the ZEN zone, 10 mins before lessons start. Lessons last 3hrs and are arranged in groups according to age and ability.
In the very first lessons, the ski schools in Courchevel teach their beginners the snowplough and glide moves, as they adapt to wearing and using their equipment. Once these techniques are secure, lessons progress from the very flat slopes to pistes with more of a gradient, where the learners now begin with snowplough turns.
The ski schools in Courchevel take skiers with some previous experience directly to the blue slopes, such as the Anémones or Biollay runs, from where they refresh the snowplough and glide moves before they start to work on parallel skiing.
Kids’ ski lessons in Courchevel
In Courchevel, skiers can already begin to have lessons from age 3yrs. Lessons last either 3hrs or for a full day of 6hrs, with or without lunch.
Tiny skiers aged 3 - 5yrs learn the basic techniques at the Piou Piou Club ski kindergarten. Here, friendly mascots and helpful instructors welcome the little skiers to the Club, which is specifically adapted to the needs of young skiers.
Ski schools in Courchevel arrange their lessons for kids aged 5yrs and above into groups that correspond to their age and experience level. Once the groups are formed, instructors take the groups to suitable slopes, to learn new techniques. Whether the snow-plough or the carving technique is scheduled for a lesson, the ski school instructors will help the young skiers improve their technique and confidence.
The ski schools in Courchevel recommend the red Dou du Midi run for intermediates: This is accessed by an easy green from Courchevel and meanders down to Courchevel-Le Praz.
Snowboard lessons in Courcheval
Ski schools in Courchevel offer mainly private snowboard lessons. As with skiing, the first lessons take place on the gentlest slopes within the resort. First-time boarders start with the basics of keeping balance on their board whilst learning to glide, how to brake & fall correctly and how to make gentle curves. Once the basic moves are secure, lessons progress to blue slopes.
Snowboarders with previous experience are taken by the ski schools in Courchevel to blue, red and even black slopes, depending on their ability. With 150km of local slopes, 600km within the Les 3 Vallées region and plenty of off-piste terrain, snowboarders in Courchevel will certainly be in their element.
Courchevel ski pass
There are two ski passes available within Courchevel: The 3 Valleys Pass, which covers the full, 600km 3 Valleys slopes, plus the Courchevel Valley Pass.
Prices vary according to the season; early, main and late. Skiers aged up to 5yrs and 75yrs+ ski for free. Skiers with a Courchevel Valley Pass covering more than 2 days are entitled to a 3V Extension Day, meaning that the Courchevel pass can be upgraded to a 3 Valleys Pass for 1 day.
The ski schools in Courchevel will be happy to give further advice about the two passes.
Ski lesson prices in Courchevel
Ski schools in Courchevel offer group and private ski lessons, private snowboard lessons. The prices listed are the lowest price for ski and snowboard lessons within the season and excluding equipment or a meal:
| Kids ski lessons | Adults ski lessons | Snowboard lessons | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group | from 47€/3hrs | from 52€/3hrs | |
| Private | from 85€/hr | from 85€/hr | from 75€/hr |
The best ski schools in Courchevel
ESF Courchevel Village
This long-established ski school offers group and private ski lessons for all ages, plus private snowboarding, freeriding and cross-country skiing lessons.
Meeting point: By the Tovets chairlift in Courchevel Village.
CheckYeti customers reviews: kids friendly, beginner friendly, experienced
ESI First Tracks
ESI offers private lessons in skiing, snowboarding, freeriding, freestyling, telemark, cross-country and ski touring in many languages. Lessons are given in Courchevel, Courchevel Village and Courchevel Moriond.
Meeting point: By the big slope map within the relevant village.
Cab9 Snowboarding
Cab 9 offers private snowboarding lessons in English plus other languages, in each of the Courchevel villages.
Meeting point: Arranged individually.
CheckYeti customers reviews: beginner friendly, patient, experienced
Elite Ski Team
One of Courchevel’s only ski schools that offer heliskiing activities plus private snowboarding lessons.
Meeting point: Arranged individually.
What makes ski lessons in Courchevel special
Alongside Courcheval’s fun parks and the 2km-long sledge run, there are numerous other winter snowsport activities on offer: Husky sledging, snow mobiling and even hot air ballooning & paragliding are possible in Courchevel throughout the winter season, as are freeriding, ski guiding, telemark skiing, cross-country, ski touring, freestyling and heliski adventures.
Snow fans visiting the resort in December can enjoy the speed, thrills and the incredible atmosphere of the annual Alpine Skiing World Cup.
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.