Esf in meribel-advise please!

[cakesandchocolate]

Our group has 3 under5's - so they'd be going in as a group- can anyone who's used esf in meribel reccomend it? If not any other ideas?
We're looking for mornings only, not the whole day.
I've read a few ropey reviews of ESF Meribel, which have put me off, but the alternatives are sooo expensive!
My daughter (then3) was on her own in a French ski school last year(not in meribel) and I'm afraid she did not have the best time- the instructor was lovely and spoke english but all the other kids were French, so she was a bit loney! I'm hoping for a better experience for her this year!

Does it have to be esf? New generation in Meribel are just fab. Or parallel lines. English schools where you will find teacher pupil ratios much better than esf. I wouldn't touch esf with a barge pole tbh. We used new gen his half term and they were amazing....

Used ESF close to Meribel and was horrified at the teachers with children in your age group. Physically rough, obviously irritated, shouting and leaving stragglers on the slopes. Saw one child 'penned' in with that orange mesh (they mark out of bound areas with it) at the bottom of a button lift because he was sobbing uncontrollably ...whilst they carried on with the lesson. I can see their problem if whole lesson is disrupted but would you really really want to know that's your child's holiday?

Lots of us were upset just witnessing it let alone if it was our child

Sorry to give this feedback but would I ever use ESF again...no

All the teachers spoke French only. Kids just looked bewildered.

I wouldn't use ESF anywhere. Big group sizes, unsympathetic instructors, shit teaching.

There are much better options now the French have been forced to let other nationalities open ski schools.

We've had bad experiences with ESF. I would avoid if possible. Are evolution 2 in meribel?

Thank you for the honest opinions!
I just got an email back from an enquiry I sent, they say their group sizes are 12 kids (presumably to 1 instructor) which sounds too much to me. I can't imagine trying to keep 12 4/5year olds safe/in control/happy.
Will look elsewhere and sod the budget!!!

Good decision
Regardless of class size it was the attitude of the in structures that was a problem and that seemed cultural (in a company way rather than based on country)

Deffo New Generation. We used New generation for DS age 7 in Serre Chevalier - very pleased, lovely instructor - Italian rather than English, but obviously taught to teach in the English way i.e. make sure the kids are happy.

I wouldn't treat a dog the way I saw the french kids being treated in their ESF classes. Littlies scarcely old enough to stand in huge groups being shouted at by instructors, loads of them scattered like bowling pins at the nursery slopes in tears ( mind you the parental instruction seemed not much better) , huge classes as well.

The only option for ESF I would consider is paying for one instructor to teach the three of them and demand their best English speaker. TBH unless you're very confident about your DC's abilities to communicate with strangers, cope well with big groups and understand instruction in a foreign language I'd go for New Generation.

Oh and the New Gen class size we had was 4 children in the class and this was at half term.

My 4 year-old did club Piou Piou in Jan with Meribel ESF, hated it. Massive group, loads of waiting around. Their one-on-one lessons last year were excellent though. Next time I'd use the other ski school up the Rodos lift,?powerwhite.

Thanks. I've been looking at other options- does anyone have any experience with snow d'light?

Magic who cover Meribel are also very good for little ones.

Jumping on an old thread. In meribel you have a choice of 3 great ski schools - new generation, parallel lines and Magic. New gen and magic also work out of La Tania & Courchevsl. All offer slightly different ski lesson timings but will not take more than 8 in a class and you will have an English speaking instructor. We have an apartment in the 3 valleys and gave used all 3 ski schools with our own children. Guests and friends we recommend can get 5% off their lessons - pls PM for details.

Hi - following up on this thread.

We have apprehensions with sending our children [(21 month old and 45 month old (3.5 year old)] to ESF Chaudanne. Two questions:

1. Are the daycares any good at ESF - no ski lessons option for our 1 yr and 3.5 olds?

2. What about other ski school/private lessons company options for our 3.5 year old who will be on cusp of 4 years at the time of our holiday? Other than ESF.

Do any of you have any suggestions for us?

Thanks kindly for your advice!

oh no horrified to read these reivews of piou piou meribel. Have booked our 3 year old to go over easter. Wondering if anyone has had any positive experiences of it. They're the only ski school that takes age three which is why i booked them...