Oxygene or ESF ski schools in La Plagne

A snowHead

I am interested in good / bad stories about the two ski schools in La Plagne. I am trying to make my choice and don't really have enough information to make a decision. Also is it worth getting the lessons including lift pass for the children (Aged 6) or are the nursery lifts free.

Thanks

A snowHead

Used Oxygene a few years ago, both in La Plagne and Val d'Isere, as they were the school of choice for Mark Warner. La Plagne was okay, morning lessons only. But we did get a really good guy from them, I think his name was Fabrice, in Val for one on ones for SP when he was about 8 years old.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

We booked about 15 of all ages with Oxygene in LP in Jan. All were very happy and some ecstatic. A family run company. A disabled child in our group was looked after by a British Instructor called Jenny Yates, who was simply magnificent. I think she is at uni this year though. A credit to her profession (and her parents)

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what about "magic in motion" at La Plagne?

La Plagne is quite large, where are you staying?

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

I learned to ski with Oxygene in La Plagne, as did a couple of friends. Would thoroughly recommend them. Also had a couple of private lessons with them and come on leaps and bounds.

I also know two of the owners family (Bertrand and Julien), as our pal used to run the Hotel Cristina for Mark Warner, and got to know them thru him, and they are thoroughly decent blokes. Like someone above said, they take all Mark Warner's guests for ski school, and have heard nothing but good reports from the guests that have used them

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Used Oxygene in Feb this year. Our group included about a dozen kids - age range: 5 - 12. Some of the kids were fussy little bugs (not ours of course !) but Oxygene gave univeral satisfaction. All of the kids positively enjoyed ski school. We`ve booked Oxygene again for Feb 2006.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

Used Oxygene in Feb this year. Our group included about a dozen kids - age range: 5 - 12. Some of the kids were fussy little bugs (not ours of course !) but Oxygene gave univeral satisfaction. All of the kids positively enjoyed ski school. We`ve booked Oxygene again for Feb 2006.

After all it is free

Oxygene is only available in Plagne Centre (according to their website).
I have not tried them. I only have experience of ESF (Montchavin and Belle Plagne) and Evolution 2 (Montchavin).
Talking to ESF instructors I know (and respect) they all say that ESF in general has stopped trying, and is more concerned with quantity than quality. You may well be better off with Oxygene.

Plagne Centre is easily skiable from anywhere in La Plagne for the ski school start times - except from Montchavin/Les Coches and Montalbert. We made it from 1800 with loads of time to spare. This included 2 lifts up, a piste down, and the dreaded pole accross Plagne Centre.

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We booked Oxygene in La Plagne for Feb half term last year. Booked in October! Got an email one week before "sorry but double booked, can offer you lessons first thing". We grudgingly accepted only to be messed around. 3 out of 5 mornings the courtesy bus didn't arrive until 15/20 mins late so we missed most of our lessons. Not very apologetic and generally a bad experience all round.

snow reports

Thanks for all the replys, We are going to belle plagne. Based on the majority of good reports Oxygene it is.

Thanks

You know it makes sense.

hang on, oxygene is in plagne centre? Search the forum and there is someone at least recommending ESF Belle Plagne iirc? Just thinking for beginners or near beginners it's far easier to have lesson close by...From Belle plange you'd have to go down to bellecote and then up a lift and down again into centre? And it doesn't really look bus-able? No problem for adults with any experience but for small kids/new starters etc - maybe better to stay local?

Just a thought, aj xx

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

So this is a thoroughly ancient thread but I have the exact same question so thought a resurrection was in order. Have things changed in 8 years??

We're going to Belle Plagne in a few weeks' time, and have to decide between ski lessons for two adults.

She is a one week skier (but hasn't skied for a couple of years due to babies), but has done a bit of boarding before then. I am a 3.5 DAY skier (though a pretty decent snowboarder - about 20 trips in 7 years). I have not skied for a couple of years either, but as it's a family holiday and we're not going with friends this time, I thought spending some time with the Mrs learning / improving two planks would be fun.

What would you suggest - ESF / Oxygene? We would probably go for group lessons rather than private.

A snowHead

Bumping an 8 year old thread but I guess there has only been a few changes Toofy Grin

Oxygene now has 2 bases and runs a bus around all the other altitude villages. Check their website for details.
They do seem to have more mother tongue English Speakers than other schools. They also appear to have smaller group classes.
They were really good last time we used them but that was some time ago.

A snowHead

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Oxygene or ESF ski schools in La Plagne

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