Just looking at booking ski school for my trip to Val d'Isere in January.
I've got a weeks skiing under my belt so looking for the not quite total beginner lessons.
I've had a search around and whilst there seems a bewildering choice, most of the schools don't seem to offer group lessons! Those that do offer groups only run for 5 days Mon-Friday this is slightly annoying as we arrive on saturday with first skiing on Sunday.
Can anyone give some pointers to a decent school? On the shortlist at the moment I have Evolution 2 and Oxygene, I suppose we can book a private lession for the Sunday maybe if the schools are open?
Thanks
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Any ideas folks?
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?
Search this site, ie Snowheads, and you should find similar questions asked and answered about Val d'Isere. I believe that there are around 20 ski schools in Val d'Isere, although some specialise in boards and some in skis. From memory, other ski schools that have have good reports here on Snowheads include The Development Centre, Mountain Masters, Snow Fun, plus of course the two you already mentioned, Evolution 2 and Oxygene. Then there is always the trusty ESF. My partner had beginners lessons with Evolution 2 last winter and enjoyed them. Given the competition due to the number of ski schools in Val d'Isere they all have to be good or they lose customers. I imagine that the occasional bad comment about a ski school in Val d'Isere is due more to the failings of an individual teacher than any fault of the school.
Had some 'techinique' lessons with Evolution 2 with 3 friends when I was learning - they were really helpful in getting better balance and confidence on your skis - and the instructor made it great fun too - I seem to remember going all the way down Grand Pre playing rugby with a ball of ice - we'd of got down the piste faster of course if my welsh friends hadn't kept dropping the 'ball'
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
'er Indoors used ESF last season. She'd done the intro lessons at Tamworth, so she could turn, stop, and all that.
On the first morning we took the gondola out of La Daille so that she could try some of the easy blues & greens. There's a short run down to a chair - about 50 metres. By the time she got to the lift she was on the verge of tears. By the end of the week (group lessons) she was on reds and off-piste (about 10 metres from the piste edges, that is) and was quite happy in a foot of fresh snow.
If you're considering a private lesson, ask your rep if they know Nick Quinn
(I had a couple of private group lessons with him last year - some of the best ski instruction I have ever had)
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Val d'Isere....beginner? Val d'Isere is not a resort for beginners. Even the green Verte can be moguled if it snows.
You can't go too far wrong with Evolution 2
Good luck on Santons
After all it is free
After all it is free
Sirius, you could give www.snowgurus.com a try especialy for private lessons
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.
hyweljenkins, Fantastic and by the end of the week not a snowplough in sight.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
gravystuffing, I agree that VdI isn't a beginners' resort, and Verte is hilarious back to La Daille after 3pm. However, there's some good stuff higher up. Santons was closed for two of the six days I was there last season - too many bodies caught out at the bottom of it.
I'll pass your praise onwards - thanks!
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Sirius, cant go wrong with either Evolution2 or Oxygene , dont worry about lessons on sunday, either use the free lifts on the nursery slopes or head up on the Solaise Express , come of then turn right and traverse right across the piste and take the poma back up , wide piste to practice on , then head off to Madeliene express lift(not sure on spelling) as easy a green as Val D' gets and enjoy , then get the Solaise lift back down. Enjoy , Val is my favourite place to ski.
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.
Speak to Blair at New Generation
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Scot_Ski, that is all very good advice. Take the lift down from Solaise......otherwise it's M
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Thanks for the advice folks.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Or you might want to look up Max Leclerc of www.topskival.com for private lessons. For group lessons their focus is I think on freeriding/off piste but they do on-piste technique clinics.
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
