Afternoon ski school?

[ColdFingersColdToes]

Hello there

We've left it late to book ski school for Feb half term and can only get on afternoons. Has anyone just done afternoons before, and has it been much worse than the morning session? Thanks!

Our kids did morning ESF ski school over Christmas but the kids in the next door chalet did the afternoons. They said it was exactly the same, same teachers, slopes, everything. They didn't go out with their kids too much in the mornings because they didn't want them too tired, but for us the afternoons were a write-off anyway as the kids were exhausted (5 and 7). So much of a muchness I think!

(But perhaps it depends on where you are, this was the ESF in Saint Martin de Belleville. Prob best to discuss with the school.)

How old are you children?

You can simply start the day later.. it does mean that you miss out on the possibility of skiing together as a family after the lesson but if they are young and easily tired, this is not always a given and mornings can be quite a challenge for your children as it's usually quite chilly. Older children can probably manage to get up and out for a few runs en famille before their lesson.

Our favourite when the children were younger was the lunch time slot which is offered in some very busy resorts in the February holiday weeks, the best of both worlds!

If your children are quite young and you are in a resort with English nannies, you could ask if they have any slots free... nanny comes and takes the children to lessons so you can get out for a few hours. The logistics of getting kids too and from lessons is a pain and doesn't leave much time to ski in between.

The only issue for me would be that for us it would probably mean less skiing as morning lessons make you get up and out. When my kids that had lessons that started at 11 it made for a much more relaxed day but less skiing done overall as we had a lie in and a more leisurely breakfast.

Where are you going? What about some of the smaller schools that you see on the slopes. We have had quite a lot of success with them in the past?

We’re going to Saint Martin de Belleville! How did you find it?

Kids range from 9 - 13. Some have done a couple of weeks, others have done 4. So no beginners but a mix of Blue ready and red ready.

At the moment they have tons of energy (more than I have!) so we might ski with them a little in the am.

We LOVED it. Lovely and quiet, amazing food basically everywhere we went, it's a real French town as opposed to a constructed resort so there were churches and historical things to see and do as well for the non-skiers in the family. As well as access to just the Saint Martin slopes or the entire Trois Vallees if you choose. We were self catering and there was everything we needed in town, butcher, bakery, etc as well as a big carrefour down in Moûtiers if you need to stock up as well. Enjoy!!