 Poster: A snowHead
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Hope this is the right thread - The Piste!
Q1 - Just wondered whether anyone had any preferences/recommendations for either ski school - meeting point at Reberty 2000 in Les Menuires this April (5-12th).
Went with ESF in La Plagne last year and was very happy. In ESF we'd need Beginners Class for hubby, Class 2 or 3 for moi, Club Piou Piou (4 yr old), Flocon (7 yr old).
Q2 - If I am ESF Class Level 2 or 3, would either level mean I'd need a 3 Valleys pass? Or do you know whether the instructors will only need us to have a Les Menuire pass? Or will I need 3 Valleys for Level 3 but not Level 2? I'm assuming the kids and beginner hubbby won't need the full 3 Valleys pass?
Q3 - Is it better/cheaper to buy the passes on-line somehow? (Do you pay on-line then collect it there?) or both pay and collect at the resort?
I have tried to email Q2 to ESF but got an auto response saying they were away from the office for a few days!
Many thanks for any replies!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Mo24, re Q2&3. I think the Les Menuires / St Martin pass will probably be sufficient for all lessons, but best to check with whoever you choose.
I don't think there are discounts for buying in advance, so nothing to gain. And possible something to lose if the forecast is bad when you arrive. For individual adult passes you can buy in resort by card at automated machines, which usually have shorter queues than the ticket office. But for 3 of you, check out the Family Pass option, where the adults benefit from child pricing: you may need to get this at the office with proof of ages.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@Mo24, going back 10 years or so, I did class 3 with ESF at Les Menuires and we definitely needed a full 3 Valleys pass. We visited all ends of the domain over the week. So as @ecureuil says, best to check with the school.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Different ski school (and indeed esf may stick more to their patch, who knows) but my daughter needed a 3V pass from midweek in a very early green/blue type ski group so I would definitely check. They speak good English at the ESF in Les M ( we book a particular instructor through them every year) so do just drop an email and you should get a quick reply
@ecureuil is absolutely right that the family pass for 3V is a great deal anyway so may not make a huge difference
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Ah many thanks everyone!
Sorry I have another question but again I may have to ask the ski school.
I took Level 1 last year but was slightly more advanced than the group. At the end of the week our instructor stamped my ESF book for Level 1 and 2 so I assume it means he’s passed me for both levels?
I’m a bit worried though about booking Class Level 3 as according to the ESF info, Level 3 is classed as ‘Advanced’. But I consider myself ‘Intermediate’ and may not be as advanced as they expect! And feel petrified if they take us on a red or black run when I’m more comfortable on blues? I’d basically be skiing like a beginner on a red or black!
The ESF site warns that we may not be able to swap classes if we’re in the wrong level, so I’m thinking it may be better to stay low and go for Level 2 then let the instructor decide if I need to go up a level?
If feeling brave I could aim higher by going for Level 3 and throw myself in at the deep end to push myself more but I have no clue how many reds and blacks they’ll expect of us at Level 3 if it’s considered ‘Advanced’?  Does anyone know what’s generally expected of the class in ESF Levels 2 or 3?
Or if it’s very difficult to get moved up or down a level?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Sorry I have no idea what that red emoji is in my text! I thought I was typing in a grimace emoji on my phone!
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If you’ve passed level 2 don’t repeat it. You’ll be bored silly!
All the levels are explained here https://www.esf-uk.co.uk/levels-and-tests/adult-lessons/
Looks like you mastered parallel turns and now moving onto short turns etc. I’m sure with that will include getting comfortable on red runs.
Drop them a line or give them a call.
My son completed level 4 on a school trip and that description (accomplished skier on all types of terrain) is what I personally would call “Advanced”. That included blacks and jumps (although I suspect the instructor was also adapting to the tastes of a group of teenagers!).
I don’t know many ski instructors keen to rush a nervous group onto runs too advanced for them. If you completed level 2, have confidence in yourself. And consider a warm up in the snow dome between now and then — I do it every year and helps the jitters no end!
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Everyone in group lessons lies about their ability. Don't undersell yourself or you'll waste your time. I've seen ESF "level 3" classes where people are snow-ploughing and "level 4" where people are unable to ski red runs confidently, when they have declared they can confidently ski any run in the resort. In neither case did anyone get demoted, because the lower classes were full. The instructor simply adapted the lesson to the standard of the group.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@Mo24, how easy it is to move up or down a level will be largely dictated by how full the classes are. As you are going at low peak season I suspect it would be no issue.
They will soon move you if the group proves beyond your ability (which they will assess fairly quickly).
As above I suspect they'll want you to have a 3V lift pass.
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My kids and me have used the ESF at les menuires for the last 2 or 3 years, always at Easter. I've always had really good instructors and they're always fine about moving you up or down depending on how you find the group. It better for them you find the right group level too.
The standard really depends on who turns up. I've done level 4 the last 3 years and it's been really good. Some years faster than others but always more of a mix of a guide and an instructor. I really like it.
Kids have worked their way through various levels. My older daughter is doing the all day teens freeride thing this year. Think they do some off piste, park and whatever else a group of teens with little regard for self preservation are into.
I think it's great value. It's something like 230 euros for 6 mornings of lessons. I see more of the 3V than any of the folks I go with that think they don't need lessons as I get to follow a local round all the best parts each morning.
You'll def need a full 3V pass for anything over L3, maybe even L2 but they'll tell you when you book, or just email them. They get back to you pretty quick.
Have fun.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Can’t give direct experience about oxygene but the prosneige instructor I used who is excellent told me his cousin owns oxygene, has to count for something!
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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+1 prosneige
Though not convenient for reberty area really.
Les menuires has very few black pistes iirc
Try not to worry - a good ski instructor will work out what you can ski in 10 mins of your first lesson. If you’re in the wrong level for safety reasons I’d like to think they’d move you! You’re more likely to waste your money if you downgrade your ability as you won’t learn anything new!
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Many thanks everyone for your informative replies. After looking at the videos I reckon I might be ESF Level 3 so hope that's the right fit!
I have some other questions about ESF and Reberty so will start a new thread.
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You know it makes sense.
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we used Oxygene in La Plagne this year for our children (12 and 7) and I was really impressed. Much smaller groups than ESF and majority english speaking children. They moved the children around during the first few days to make sure they were in the right group and did lots of great skiing. We are going to La Plagne next year and will use them again.
Last year we were in Val Thorens and used Prosneige (it was the kids first week on snow) and they were also excellent. they had a great nursery bit of their own for the very start but then were off adventuring. Staff were great and they have a locker room at their base so you could leave snow boots etc there if you wanted. Would highly reccomend
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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In VT, we prefer Ski Cool and have booked successfully with a discount via Ski Pro this year. Also equipment rental through alpinresorts.com with an appropriate code - check this forum and a quick google for info.
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Poster: A snowHead
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For Level 2 or 3, you’ll likely need a full 3V pass, especially if you’re planning to ski across different areas. It’s definitely worth emailing ahead to confirm, as it varies by school and instructor. As for the class levels, don’t worry too much, if you’re more comfortable with blues, stick with Level 2, and let the instructor assess if you’re ready for the next step. Most instructors will adapt to the group's needs, so you won’t be thrown into anything too advanced.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Hi All - just a quick thank you for everyone's help and advice - I did do Class Level 3 in the end and the fit was just right with the rest of the group - we were all at about the same level of competence - yay! The ESF ski instructor was great at teaching and pushing our abilities, doing short turns on reds, and we did need the full 3 Valleys pass, so I was glad I got that.
There were at least two or three people who came and went in our class as they were either from higher or lower groups, so there was a lot of flexibility if you needed it.
The snow in Les Men (5-12 April) was fine higher up but slushy and heavy after lunch at 2000m as you'd expect, but we still loved skiing and eating in the sunshine with and without the kids!
However after we left I see they had a big snowfall on Thurs 17th last week that took the snow from 65mm to 850mm! (Although Les Bruyeres still looked bereft of snow on the web cam, whereas La Croisette looked snowy on the 18th). Hope everyone had a great ski season!
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I did the class 4 that week so we were probably stood next to each other in the mornings. I had a great week, also a great instructor. Lot of fun and felt my skiing improve. Maybe see you in that class next year?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Maybe! Though I feel I could do with some more practise on the reds. Heavy snow in the afternoon not great for that so might try and get away earlier in the season, as well as Easter next year, if I can.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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That's pretty much why I went on a bash a couple of years back, and went on another this year. It's a good, and economical, way to get in some more time on the snow. And some good beer, obvs.
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