Childrens Ski Lessons

Childcare - Children's Ski Lessons

Ski school is extremely important for any family skiing with kids and children in the Powder Hounds, Huskies and Adventurers attend lessons every morning. We take great care to select the right ski class for your child. Once in resort there are a few simple things to remember before setting off to ensure a stress-free start to the first morning.

Ski School
We use the École du Ski Français –the ESF – in our 3 French resorts and Eskimos in Saas-Fee and collaborate closely with each of them to ensure the best possible quality for our younger skiers. Each ski school is set up to welcome all children skiing from beginners upwards. The Ski School Helper is based in the Jardin du Neige (beginners' area) to support and encourage the youngest children skiing.

It is important to reserve the correct lessons for children so they can settle in and enjoy their skiing. If you know your child’s ski level please tell us so we can book them into the right class. If you are unsure of their ski ability give us as much information as possible, for example, the number of weeks they have skied and what they can already do. We share this information with the instructors to place them in the correct lesson. The school will, however, evaluate children's skiing during the first lesson and move them up or down a group as appropriate.

ESF Ski School France Eskimos Ski School Saas-Fee

Skiing with Kids - What to bring
Before taking your children to meet their instructors in the morning please ensure they have everything they need. For those new to skiing please be aware that getting dressed for skiing, putting on boots and finding skis can take much longer than you think.
  • Make a toilet stop before leaving the chalet
  • Dress in enough layers to keep warm
  • Put on suncream
  • Make sure children skiing have gloves, sunglasses or goggles and helmet
  • Check for lift pass, tissues and the all important snack for break time

The table below is a guide for parents who are unsure which level their young skiers have already attained.

It should be noted that the recommended minimum age for ski classes is there as a guide for children’s safety and well-being. Please also note on occasion the more advanced and competition lessons may not run if there are insufficient children for these classes.

We do not offer snowboard lessons in France as lesson timings do not fit in with our childcare clubs. However snowboard lessons are available in Saas-Fee.

Skiing with Children - Level Guide France - (Ski School Helper Participation is the same in Saas-Fee)

Recommended age

ESF Class

Ski level

What you’ll do by the end of the week

Ski School Helper Participation

Notes

4 - 5 years

Piou-Piou / Ourson

Beginners or younger children starting snowplough

A snaking line of snowplough turns; ski in a straight line down an easy slope finishing with a snowplough turn.

Yes

Note: In Les Coches beginners are split by age - 4 and 5 year olds will ski separately. Each group will be in a protected area but this may not be together.

5 - 6 years and above

Flocon

This class is for beginners aged 5 plus, children who have already done their Piou Piou or Orson badge or children who can perform a basic snowplough

A series of snowplough turns bringing the skis parallel in between,  traverse straight across the piste, test your balance by skiing on one foot at a time

Occasionally

 

6 years onwards

1ère Etoile
(1 star)

Children who can already snowplough turn and traverse on a green/blue piste

A series of sideslip turns on a moderate blue slope and traversing across the piste

No

 

8 years onwards

2ème Etoile
(2 star)

This is the class for children who can snowplough turn and sideslip on steepish blue runs and are starting to parallel turn

A series of parallel turns on a moderate blue slope, skiing in a straight line over bumps and hollows and a basic skating step

No

 

8 years onwards

3ème Etoile
(3 star)

Perfecting parallel turns and learning basics of slalom skiing

A series of linked parallel turns on a red run, an easy slalom run on an easy slope, skiing in a direct line at speed down a moderate piste finishing with a braking sideslip

No

 

9 years onwards

Etoile Bronze
(Bronze star)

Children should have their 3 Star badge, be able to link parallel turns, perform slalom turns on steep slopes; do small jumps and ski any terrain

A basic slalom course through gates on a moderate slope, jumps on piste

No

Note: Children in Bronze, Gold and Competition classes may be taught together but can still be tested for different badges at the end of the week.

9 years onwards

Etoile D'or (Gold star)

A timed route through a short giant slalom course, jumps on piste and high-speed turns over varied terrain

No

10 – 13 years

Competition Category

Etoile D'or (Gold Star Award)

A series of timed slalom courses on slopes of increasing difficulty. 

No

 

 

Latest News & Offers

CHRISTMAS 2010 ~ 8 nights for the price of 7 
Saturday 18th to Sunday 26th December 2010
Limited Availability so please call or email for full details: 01684 540333 or enquiries@familyski.co.uk

Celebrate this New Year in the Alps.
Enjoy a family ski holiday and bring the New Year in with style.
To book call 01684 540333

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Guest Views
We had a wonderful holiday, our 2 boys were fully occupied & enjoyed skiing, sledging, cooking, crafts, adventurers and lots of fun.  All the staff were fantastic and the food was delicious!  Wrench family Chalet Rulens
The nursery and childcare staff were the best I have ever encountered.  Really enthusiastic and more than willing to go the extra mile.  Goslett party, Les Grolets December 2009
"Childcare ratios were exceptional and very good and exceeded our expectations." Willis  Chalet Les Arolles
The childcare team was excellent, caring and enthusiastic throughout.  The Ski School Helper is a great idea and not offered by other companies - but it made a really big difference.  Phillips party, Les Grolets, Jan 2010
The childcare was superb and left me feeling relaxed to enjoy my holiday, confident that he was in safe hands.  La Collina

Guide to the Family Ski Company Website
About Family Ski Company
Childcare
  • Childcare is at the heart of our service. Our clubs are:
    • Powder Pups - babies and toddlers 3 months to just under 4 years
    • Powder Hounds - children 4-6 years ready to start skiing
    • Huskies- children 7 years plus skiing every morning with other activities in the afternoon
    • Powder Adventurers - children 7 years plus with additional skiing on 3 afternoons
  • Children's ski lessons and how we help children get the best out of them
  • Skiing with children - general advice for families skiing with babies and young children
Ski Areas, Resorts and Chalets