Kids Ski Lessons

[Magnolia2025]

I’m trying to arrange ski lessons for my kids, 5 and 6. With ESF, the group sizes are up to 10 kids which seems a lot for their age and the fact they’re complete beginners. Does anyone have anyone thoughts on whether 10 is too much or whether it works ok? Or any recommendations for other ski schools in France. Also, has anyone used the lunch option with ESF and did your kids like it?

Avoid ESF if you can. We have had not great experiences with them. They pack as many kids on as they can and at busy times they can be over ratio.

It depends where you are going in France? We liked New Generation but they're not in every resort.

And evolution 2

10 is pretty standard in ski school classes regardless of whether they are in France, Italy or Austria. Most school employ instructors who specialise in teaching the small children, and will usually have facilities such as a play park with Mickey Mouse/Penguin figures, a magic carpet for getting up the slope, perhaps a cabin for hot chocolate stops and indoor games if the weather is poor etc.

Like everything else, some kids love it and thrive and some really don't get on with it first time (but then have a fantastic time the next year when they're a year stronger and more mature).

Thanks both. New Generation is an option but their classes are 9am to 1pm which seems a long time for 5/6 yr olds to be skiing each day. I think they do stop for hot choc though.

We've used ESF twice and whilst the groups were made up of 10 children, there were two instructors per group each time. When we used them last month, the group split into two groups of five children and went their separate ways with each instructor. I'm not sure if this is representative of everywhere but is our experience for the past two years.

Thank you

That’s interesting. I’d be happier if there were two instructors I think.

In Austria, ski school for children is typically all day (typically 09.30-15.30) with a 90-minute stop for lunch. The small ones don't necessarily ski for all that time - there may be breaks for play, building snow figures, story-time/singing, hot chocolate and toilet stops etc. Much depends on the school, the instructors - and often the attitude of the parents.

Some parents want to see "value for money" and get pissed off if their 5-year old is not skiing for the whole 4-6 hour lesson and isn't a new Mikaela Shiffrin by the end of the week - regardless of the child's ability and stamina and whether or not they're enjoying it. Some parents want their children to have a good time, make friends, learn a new skill and experience a different environment.

Mine have loved ESF. This year my 5 year old was in "proper" Ourson level, rather than Club Piou Piou where they're in an enclosed area, but they still spent the first 2 days in the enclosed area, and stopped for a snack break every day (pro-tip, send a snack every day so your child doesn't get left out). The 2.5 hours was perfect for her. She was exhausted after the first morning. Whereas my 9 year old can ski all day.

Yes ESF can be a little crazy in the higher levels, but at Ourson level it's lovely.

Thank you. Mine would be in ourson as well so this is reassuring. Did you do the lunch as well? Did many kids? I think my kids will enjoy the lunch if a few others are going but not if most other kids go back to their parents!

It’s been a while since DS was in this age group, but he went with New Generation a couple of times and had a brilliant time. Small groups, english speaking instructors, skiing as fun rather than torture. He wasn’t much of a joiner at that age, but he loved his Italian instructor. I don’t rate ESF we saw crying children in the classes - things may have moved on but I would rather not take that chance. I would also assume that your DCs will want lunch with you, even if they love skiing and their new pals, it’s a lot to get to grips with.

I don’t think 9-1 is too long, gives you a nice chunk to do some proper skiing yourselves in the morning.

We did ESF chalet d’ecole when DD was 3, she loved it, stayed for lunch until 1400. Lunch was a bit “French” and there were some days I knew she would need a substantial snack when we picked her up.

We did evo2 this year, again with lunch. She was nearer 4.5 this year. Again she loved it, lunches were very “French” again, but after 1.5 terms on school meals in reception she was much better at trying things she didn’t recognise. We did put a couple of small snacks (soreen bar, freddo, yoyo bear) in her pocket which were ate some days. Again, based on the menu I could usually gauge if she would need topping up when we picked her up. In which case I’d either take a jam sandwich or croissant or we would plan a prompt crepe stop.

Ours learnt with ESF, starting at age 4.

They both enjoyed it, made good progress every trip and still love to ski now.

I have seen kids crying in ESF lessons, but also with other ski schools. It happens sometimes. How they deal with it is the important thing. I have also seen a kid get separated from their group and the instructor didn’t appear to notice. That was with New Generation in Tignes and the lift attendant that I took them to didn’t seem in the least bit surprised!

At this age, prioritising the skiing for your dc and making sure they have fun rather than the amount of time you get to ski is key.

Sorry for the slow reply! We didn't do lunch, but there were at least 2 children who did the early morning childcare and I assume the lunch too.