 Poster: A snowHead
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Hey guys. Decided to go to Alpe d’Huez following people’s advice on this forum. Can anyone recommend a good adult group snowboarding course in AdH? Which Snowboard School would you recommend and what level should we choose? My missus and me have done 3 days of snowboarding last year (6 hours with an instructor + about 6 on our own) and we can do heel edge and toe edge falling leaf but we can’t link turns yet. We want to book a 6 day beginner course. Should we book level 0 or level 1?
I found a school called ESF and they offer a ski pass discount for beginners but sadly they only do afternoon lessons (2:30pm-5pm). Is that a good time to snowboard in Alpe d’Huez or should we look for a school that does morning lessons? We do like to sleep in but I’ve read that apparently snow is better in the mornings? Many thanks!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Level 0
Don't overthink it. Choose whatever time is convenient for you. Slightly softer snow is not going to make a difference to the lessons
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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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Level 0 is normally for those that have never worn skis/skiboard. I'd go for the morning lessons and declare as level 1. They'll shuffle you if needed anyway.
PS Snow is normally better in the morning
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Morning - you can practice what you learned in the afternoon, or chill and have a nice lunch
Afternoon - you can get warmed up and ready for the lesson, or have a lie in and a leisurely breakfast
Whatever you prefer!
The snow etc should make zero difference to your choice at this stage of your learning journey.
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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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@bouquetin, thanks! So it seems like it doesn’t really matter whether it’s morning or afternoon. We’ll finish the days in La Folie Douce anyway 
What about our level? Should we choose 0 or 1?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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My sister selected level 0 for ski school (so maybe different) after having had 2 hours of lessons a year before, and never getting off the nursery slope. She got told off by the instructor who said she should have put level 1. It seemed that level 0 was for absolute first timers.
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If you can strap in and slide down falling leaf style then go level 1. They'll adjust you anyway if you're at the wrong level but no point wasting an hour or two getting taught the basics that you already know.
Level 0 will be strap in, one footed pushing. The absolute basics.
The other thing everyone always says which I'd back is see if you can get a session before you go in a indoor slope somewhere. Gives you the chance to get to the point of linking turns then you'll be away.
It opens up loads more improvement options when you get in resort once you're able to link turns.
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@majkkali, a quick Google showed me that ESI and at least one other ski school also say they provide group snowboard lessons in Alpe d'Huez. These guys even seem to offer a leisurely morning start:
https://skischool-alpedhuez.com/snowboard-groups
There's much less demand for snowboard lessons than ski lessons, so be wary about people saying you'll be moved groups if you've got the level wrong, as yours might be the only group. On the positive side, that good be a group of 2. Even in ski school, people don't always get moved, as illustrated by @Readerror.
I'd drop the ski schools a line or give them a call to discuss your requirements.
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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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@sugarmoma666, @paulhinch, @Readerror,
Thanks a lot!. I called ESF and they advised level 1 so that’s what we’ll go with 
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@majkkali, nice one. Once you link turns the whole world changes for the better.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@majkkali,
Any decent snowboard school should put you down a nursery slope day one, then allocate you to the appropriate class.
I'd recommend morning lessons, then you can practice what you've been taught in the pm.
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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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@Kenzie, how often have you seen a snowboard school with multiple groups running simultaneously? It's fairly rare in most resorts to see snowboard group lessons at all.
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| Quote: |
It's fairly rare in most resorts to see snowboard group lessons at all.
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Yes! A lot of snowboarders just learn by trial and error. But a course is a better idea and as noted, it might be quite a small group. If by the time you go there are only 2 of you they'll probably reduce the number of sessions (that'll be in their small print somewhere) but what could be better than your own instructor for a few lessons!
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You know it makes sense.
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Isn't esf meant to be crap at lessons?
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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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@Gainz, I think historically the issue was that they didn't really have snowboard instructors. My understanding is that the French ski instruction qualification automatically qualified you to teach snowboarding. Personally, I'd be exploring the non ESF options.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@sugarmoma666, ok yes I remember now.
@majkkali, I would definitely look for a dedicated snowboard school and get on the am lessons. Getting my wife to afternoon lessons was more difficult. She would be crashing by lunch so more motivation from my part. I'd say your level is 1 or 2 even, if 4 is linking turns. I can't remember the scale right now but the wife is 3 and just starting to link the odd turn but not consistent.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I would consider private lesson.
Snowboard in a group means sitting on your back bottom while instructor takes person 1 down bunny slope. Then person 2, etc.
If there is 6 in a group, then that is a lot of sitting.
Really depends on how quick you can pick things up though.
If you got a dry slope near by, it is probably worth learning to get to falling leaf level.
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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 was in Tignes once when a bunch of ESF ski instructors were doing their snowboarding badge. They were strong and athletic guys and by definition superb skiers. But..
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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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I was in Tignes once when a bunch of ESF ski instructors were doing their snowboarding badge. They were strong and athletic guys and by definition superb skiers. But..
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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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I was in Tignes once when a bunch of ESF ski instructors were doing their snowboarding badge. They were strong and athletic guys and by definition superb skiers. But..
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Gored, @sugarmoma666,
Damn, is ESF really that bad? Would you recommend ESI instead then? They offer 10am - 12:30 lessons so a bit earlier.
| Gored wrote: |
| I would consider private lesson. |
Unfortunately that’s out of the question for us. Private lessons in France seem to be really expensive. We’re talking about around €250 for 6 days group course vs €170 just for 2 hours private lessons. We’ve already spent so much for this trip and haven’t even left the UK yet lol so group course it is.
Regarding level - we can already do falling leaf heel edge and toe edge. We can’t link turns yet though.
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@majkkali, I can't comment on which is best in terms of the courses but I'd always try morning.
It's pretty knackering to start with and if you're not linking turns yet then you're not going to be doing much in the morning until you can. Even if you do some falling leaf down something easy you'll be knackered by your lesson.
Lesson in the morning, have a break then get out for an hour or two to practice if you're feeling it would be my advice.
I'm guessing you've not got off a lift yet either? Watch a tonne of YouTube videos before you try that. You're guaranteed to fall so having some ideas on where you're going to sit and make the best of it until you get it is definitely a good shout.
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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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I don’t want to cause more confusion, but I would reflect on when in the season you are going.
If it late season/easter then the morning pistes will be rock hard after the freeze thaw cycle. Not fun at all on a board, and even less so as a beginner where falling is par for the course.
Mid season , you’ll be fine in the morning. But later season, I would consider afternoon when the snow has softened up.
If you can afford it, I would take ‘private’ lessons for you and your partner as progress is likely to be quicker - maybe you can achieve in one week what you would achieve in two weeks of group lessons.
Good luck. Once you link turns, the mountain opens up and it is about time on the board. You will just need to return to lessons to hone your skills and progress to carving.
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@majkkali, I am not saying ESF is bad. I am saying how beginner lessons go on snowboard. Everything is done 1 person at a time & the group only go as fast as the slowest person - unless slowest person gets relegated!
There will always be someone in the group that picks things up quickly & someone slower than the rest.
They are not going to take you on the nursery slope until you can skate with one foot strapped in.
Then you learn to control you speed. ie on heel edge & toe edge. Maybe once everyone is in control, you make it the bunny slope.
The falling leaf, both heel & toe.
Eventually a turn. Heel to toe followed by falling leaf, then toe to heel followed by falling leaf.
All the above is done in turn - 1 person at a time. You sit around & wait your turn each time.
Private.. you do heel edge speed control / learn to stop heel edge.
Walk back up the small slope.
You go again. Not sit on your back bottom because instructor is taking the next person down on edge /stop maneuver.
A big ski area is a waste of money TBH. You may not get off the nursery slope. In which case, it can be cheaper to go elsewhere… especially if its a resort with free lift pass in beginner area.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Richie_S, thanks, we’re going 7th - 14th Feb so I guess morning lessons should be better for us right?
@Gored, thanks. I see what you mean. But AdH is apparently meant to be one of the most beginner friendly ski resorts so that’s why we chose it.
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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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| majkkali wrote: |
| @Gored, thanks. I see what you mean. But AdH is apparently meant to be one of the most beginner friendly ski resorts so that’s why we chose it. |
What AdH boasts is a very large area of connected green runs and a fair number of blues connected to them and it shouldn't feel like you are confined to a nursery slope. Hopefully, your instructor will take you to enough runs you'll spend time at lunch/in the evening with a ski map trying to work out where you went that day, which is also part of the fun.
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| tsgsh wrote: |
| majkkali wrote: |
| @Gored, thanks. I see what you mean. But AdH is apparently meant to be one of the most beginner friendly ski resorts so that’s why we chose it. |
What AdH boasts is a very large area of connected green runs and a fair number of blues connected to them and it shouldn't feel like you are confined to a nursery slope. Hopefully, by the end of the week, your instructor will take you to enough runs you'll spend time at lunch/in the evening with a ski map trying to work out where you went that day, which is also part of the fun. |
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You know it makes sense.
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The point about not being able to practice and go on the lifts etc. probably only applies on morning one. If you get to ride the lifts on your first lesson then you can do the same your first session on your own.
So as much as the snow considerations etc. are useful to know, I'd still encourage you to just think "am I a morning person or an evening person". Morning lessons force you up and out, the worst thing you can do on week one is miss a group session, you'll be left behind by the group, always be the drag and not learn well. So pick the lessons you'll be confident you can always get to on time.
Groups vs privates - People who are advising privates for a complete beginner are living on another planet. Yes you will learn faster with 1 on 1 tuition, but the other thing you need is time to practice and learn in a supervised way. So that means maximising the time in classes, with an instructor. If your financial situation allowed you to do 5 days of privates then go for it, but bang for buck, you're getting loads more in group lessons as a beginner than you would spending a similar amount on less time in a private lesson.
The best thing a complete beginner can do is get over the initial learning hump before you get on holiday, get out of group 0 and into group 1. Group zero is where you're side stepping up the slope, holding hands with the instructor etc. and waiting around for all the people who've come on a skiing holiday with seemingly no athletic ability or sense of balance! So you've done exactly the right thing getting to falling leaf level before you go. Get into group 1 and push yourself and you'll likely be descending green runs and on a chair lift during your first lesson I suspect.
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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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| majkkali wrote: |
@Richie_S, thanks, we’re going 7th - 14th Feb so I guess morning lessons should be better for us right?
@Gored, thanks. I see what you mean. But AdH is apparently meant to be one of the most beginner friendly ski resorts so that’s why we chose it. |
To Gored's point, he's right but if you're already doing falling leaf then a week's lessons should have you out on green slopes comfortably.
You're a tiny bit of practice away from linking turns. Once you nail that then the carpet and bunny slope is a bit pointless.
That could be day one as once it clicks then you're there.
I did 6 hours indoor over 3 weeks and was linking turns by the end. Next time went on my own and was up and down the main slope indoors without issue. For me, I didn't link turns until about the last 30 minutes of my 6 hour set but that was enough to get me out enough to be able to practice.
I comfortably do Reds now. Most blacks look mogulled to death so I don't see the point but I'm sure I could get down them if I needed to.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@bouquetin, they're not beginners!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Origen, And snowboarders. No one is side stepping up a slope....if they are, they're doing something very wrong
I go back to the thing that if you're at falling leaf stage already you're a bit of a nudge away from turns. It feels like a massive jump but once it clicks (when you trust it'll work more than anything) then you've nailed it.
Snowboarding at that level isn't anywhere near as technical as skiing.
Once you can stick two turns in and stop then you can do a full run. Lessons after that tighten your technique etc but you can very quickly end up on a lift.
My point above about watching YouTubes about lifts is if you've never done a chair before, the top appears quickly and scarily. It's easy enough to glide off once you get the hang of it but it's bloody scary to start with. It's not like skiing where you just stand up and push forward. You've got to get your board straight (which means your body isn't until you're moving).
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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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Even after many years of snowboarding I still have the occasional close call getting off tricky chair lifts. Those occasions on a 8 man chair completely full with a steep off ramp and tight turn. Advice is to sit on the end of a chair with a clear exit away from all of those skis and poles.
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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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| Boarderfarce wrote: |
| Even after many years of snowboarding I still have the occasional close call getting off tricky chair lifts. Those occasions on a 8 man chair completely full with a steep off ramp and tight turn. Advice is to sit on the end of a chair with a clear exit away from all of those skis and poles. |
Its usually a skier who just cuts across you when you, yourself are not quite in the safety zone to skate.
I still hate chairs though.
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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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Yep. For me, I always get on the right hand side and get off as late as possible.
It's guaranteed that in a week's boarding you'll get at least one skier cutting straight across the front of you to turn right and then stop and faff about with their poles for a bit.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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If you can find a dedicated snowboard school, use thyem. AdH is great for learning, you'll love it. I wouldn't use ESF if they were free though, just my jaded view.
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| Origen wrote: |
| @bouquetin, they're not beginners! |
Weird statement. They specifically stated they wanted to book beginner lessons. Yes, they’ve had 6 hours instruction but they’re very much still beginners.
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@gixxerniknik, we’ve booked a 6 day group course with ESI school. They’re supposed to be quite good!
Just worried about the weather now. Hopefully we do get some bluebird days. I’ve also read somewhere that the Alps are struggling with snow this winter, not sure if that applies to AdH too.
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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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@paulhinch, wooah, nice! We should be good then!
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