Magic in Motion ski school La Tania

[oiseau]

I've just booked our ski holiday for next year - this will be our boys first time skiing - ages 6 & 10. Now looking at ski school and looking at Magic in Motion. They look great as a company but I am slightly concerned about the number of hours tuition for complete beginners - 4 hours a day Monday Tuesday Thursday and full 9-5 days Wednesday and Friday. The boys are made of pretty tough stuff but worried this might be a bit full on for them for their first weeks skiing? Has anyone else done this set up with their children - did they survive? I really want (need!) them to love skiing as much as I do so want to get this first week right and not put them off.

Unfortunately the alternative English company New Generation aren't running group lessons that week ( we are being naughty and taking them out of school - last chance before eldest goes to secondary school).

Welcome any thoughts or advice. Thank you!

[MusieB]

Hi oiseau

We've used Magic in both La Tania and Meribel (as well as other schools elsewhere) and they are undoubtedly the best we've ever used: small groups and enthusiastic and inspiring teachers. The tuition schedule has suited us and our daughter very well - it gives us a couple of days to get over to Val Thorens and into the fourth valley and have a nice lunch somewhere without the worry/hassle of getting back to the resort to collect at lunchtime. Our daughter has enjoyed her lessons with Magic far more than other ski schools.

I'm afraid I have no experience of whether the timetabling is suitable for absolute beginners as our daughter could already ski when she first went to ski school. Magic do give the kids quite frequent breaks - a stop for a drink and snack mid-morning, an earliesh lunch and another break mid aftrenoon.

However you say your boys are made of tough stuff so I wouldn't worry - especially not for the 10 year old. For the 6 year old you could always find out where they're having lunch on the full days and if he's had enough by then take him out of the afternoon session?

[oiseau]

Thank you Musie B - just what I wanted to hear! Actually the 6 year old is fitter and more up for it than our eldest, he is already watching freeriding clips on YouTube.

I think I'll go for it and like you say if they are flagging we can always hook them out at lunch time. Although I can hear the fourth valley calling me now ....

[IWishICouldThinkOfAFabName]

We have used both a magic and Newgen ski schools in La Tania. Both are great. Newgen as a British school has the edge IMO but ski school is normally just 4 hours whereas with Magic there is a couple of whole days which means you can get further afield.
For Newgen I have a 5% discount code off lessons for people we recommend them to that book lessons so please PM if you decide to book Newgen.
Also, same discount arrangements recommending Magic in Meribel, Courcheval or La Tania.
( we have an apartment in the 3 Vallees that we rent out in case you are wondering and officially this is set up for our guests - but we can recommend to others).
I would personally avoid ESF - classes are too often too big and not all instructors speak English).

[IWishICouldThinkOfAFabName]

We have used both a magic and Newgen ski schools in La Tania. Both are great. Newgen as a British school has the edge IMO but ski school is normally just 4 hours whereas with Magic there is a couple of whole days which means you can get further afield. And you are right that New Gen don't always run kids lessons outside of school hols.
For both Newgen and Magic I have a 5% discount code off lessons for people we recommend them to that book lessons so please PM if you decide to book either of them and want to save a few euros.
( we have an apartment in the 3 Vallees that we rent out in case you are wondering and officially this is set up for our guests - but we can recommend to others).
I would personally avoid ESF - classes are too often too big and not all instructors speak English.
Have a great holiday. Don't forget to pack a spare pair of gloves for the kids. Young kids love picking up snow and often have wet gloves and cold hands by lunchtime. A stash of mars bars of whatever chocolate they prefer is also useful so you can give them a pack from ski school

Sorry if this is posted twice - managed to hit post when I was trying to edit

[harrassedswlondonmum]

We used magic in motion for my eldest two on that schedule as beginners (5 and 8 at the time). It was quite full on (I seem to recall bribes were involved after the first long day). However, it was a fantastic basis for learning to ski and 9 years on my dd is one of those annoying totally elegant skiers with barely a gap between her skis and knees velcroed together! I, on the other hand, can only dream of such elegance.....