Ski Schools in France

is it your first time on the slopes ? Whether you're a child or an adult, it's often recommended to take ski lessons to avoid developing bad habits, progress safely, and be able to pass on your knowledge. Don’t hesitate to visit the Tourist Office of the resort where you’ll be spending your holiday and get information about all the available French ski schools before booking your lessons.

Lessons for Everyone : Children or Adults

There’s no age limit to learning how to ski — anyone can choose to take ski lessons by selecting a French ski school that suits their needs.

However, teaching methods and learning approaches differ between children and adults. That’s why, in most cases — if not always — ski schools offer separate lessons for adults and children.

Children’s lessons are often divided into the following age groups:

Ages 3–4
Ages 5–12
Ages 13–18

Our Top Ski Resorts for Learning to Ski!

Lessons Organized by Level

To progress under good conditions, all lessons are organized by level. For adult lessons, levels usually range from beginner up to “class 4” or “level 4” (terminology may vary between schools).

Each level generally corresponds to specific skills:

Beginner: You have never skied before
Level 1: You can make snowplough turns on green slopes
Level 2: You are comfortable on blue slopes
Level 3: You can master parallel turns on red slopes
Level 4: You are confident on all types of terrain

This summary may help you determine your level and the most suitable course for you.

The variety of Disciplines Taught

Sliding sports have multiplied over the years. Ski schools have adapted their offerings by mostly providing courses in:

Snowboarding
Freestyle
Off-piste skiing
Cross-country skiing
Adaptive skiing (Handiski)

What Type of Lessons : Private or Group ?

Choosing between private or group lessons depends on several factors such as:

Your budget (private lessons are generally more expensive than group lessons)
Your learning preference...

Private Lessons

First of all, these lessons will allow you to progress much faster than in a group class because the instructor focuses exclusively on you.

The instructors concentrate on just one person and can more easily give you personalized advice tailored to your learning and adapt the lesson according to your progress.

Group Lessons

Depending on the ski schools available at the resort you have chosen, group lessons are possible with anywhere from five to 10 or 12 people. Learning to ski is fun!

Group lessons are especially recommended for children. This type of class allows them to discover sliding sports in a playful and friendly way. They are with other children and supervised by experienced ski instructors.

These lessons are therefore mainly recommended for younger learners or for those who want to learn to ski while having fun.

Prices vary depending on several factors; for more information, please consult our pricing page.

One thing in common : all instructors are state-certified

No matter which ski school you choose, rest assured that all the instructors teaching you have obtained the same diploma, issued by the Ministry of Youth and Sports:

State Diploma in Skiing – National Alpine Ski Instructor (National School of Skiing and Mountaineering), or
State Diploma in Skiing – National Nordic Ski Instructor (National Center for Nordic Skiing and Mid-Mountain).

The training is only accessible from the age of 18 and lasts about four years.

The Different French Ski Schools

While the most well-known and widespread is the École de Ski Française (ESF), there are many ski schools ready to provide lessons for both children and adults.

Ecole de ski française (ESF)

Iconic for its men and women “in red sweaters,” you’ll find it in almost every French ski resort.

Founded in 1945, the ESF is considered the historic French ski school. It was also at this time that the National Union of French Ski Instructors (SNMSF) was born, originally created to train instructors using a “French style” technique.

The first ESF instructor was the famous Emile Allais, alpine skier and the first ski world champion!

From 1945 to today:

The number of schools has increased from 41 to 220
The number of instructors has grown from 200 to 17,000.

The ESF motto: “The joy of skiing for everyone.” To achieve this, instructors cultivate several essential values: kindness, responsibility, passion, enthusiasm, and boldness.

Ecole de ski internationale (ESI)

In April 1977, instructors founded the French Federation of Ski Teachers (FFES) with the ambition of recruiting young instructors and evolving according to customer demands. Their two guiding principles: listening and flexibility.

The 2,000 instructors who make up the ESI are easily recognizable by their blue uniforms. But be careful, sometimes it can be confusing! Unlike ESF, ESI schools are free to develop their own identity. Examples: Oxygène at Val d’Isère or Arc Aventure at Les Arcs.

As its name suggests, the school has an international character and also operates in Switzerland and Italy.

It also offers lessons in disciplines other than alpine skiing:

Nordic skiing
Snowboarding
Off-piste and freeride coursesages de hors-piste et freeride
Freestyle courses
Competition training camps

Evolution 2

Evolution 2 ski school appeared in 1987, founded by Hervé Favre, a ski instructor at the time, marking 35 years on the slopes of French ski resorts. Supported by five collaborators, this team wanted to develop a ski school concept different from existing “traditional” structures.

The values of Evolution 2 can be summed up in three words:

Passion: The school was created and developed by people passionate about their environment and sport.
Innovation: A team of professionals focused on new outdoor sports activities, always eager to introduce their latest discoveries in an original and friendly way.
Transmission: Passing on their passion is the goal of the Evolution 2 team. They adapt to your objectives to give you an extraordinary experience.

Safety is at the heart of Evolution 2’s concerns, even offering training for instructors. Hervé Favre, president of Evolution 2, spoke on Sud Radio in February 2022: “The Pro Outdoor Academy is a training center for outdoor professions, allowing young and older people to learn teaching and safety techniques for outdoor activities.”

Today, Evolution 2 counts 500 professionals working on the ground, notably in the most emblematic French resorts such as Avoriaz, Chamonix, Les Arcs, Tignes, or Megève.

Independent Ski Instructors

Some ski instructors also choose to work independently without being attached to a ski school. They manage their own clients and set their own prices.