Planning your stay in La Clusaz and have questions about ski or snowboard lessons? This FAQ covers all the essential information, including ability levels, bookings, schedules, equipment, lift passes and how lessons work. Browse the questions to quickly find what you need — and if you can’t find the answer, our team is here to help.
Find out how to book your ski lessons for this winter.
You can book your lessons directly online through our website. Go to the Activities page, choose your lesson or activity, select the participants’ ability levels and your preferred dates, then click “Book”. Fill in the details for each participant, complete the online payment and finalise your booking.
You can also book by email at info@esi-laclusaz.com.
Payments are made securely through our website at the time of booking. We accept Visa and Mastercard, Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Yes. Our group lessons and courses run over several days. When booking, simply select the package and duration you would like, subject to availability.
The earlier, the better! Booking in advance gives you a wider choice of dates, times and lesson options. For the February school holidays, we recommend booking as early as possible.
Simply enrol your child in the same group lesson. There is no difference in price or group allocation whether they arrive on Sunday or Monday. Please remember to let the ski school know by email or when booking online — you can add a note specifying your arrival date.
More than 14 days before the activity starts: full refund (100%).
Between 14 days and 48 hours before the activity starts: refund minus a 10% administration fee.
Less than 48 hours before the activity starts: no refund.
Failure to attend without prior cancellation: no refund.
Our top tips for making the most of your ski lessons in La Clusaz!
Children can start skiing from the age of 3½, either in private or group lessons. For snowboarding, group lessons are available from the age of 9 (there is no age limit for private lessons).
There’s no nursery slope in La Clusaz: little ones learn directly on the pistes! Through specially designed games on the green run, children develop their skiing technique without even realising it — and quickly become confident using the button lift. This has always been our teaching approach: real pistes from day one.
The requirements for each level, along with the skills needed to earn the different medals, are detailed on our Medals page. If you’re unsure, get in touch — our team will be happy to advise you.
It depends on the ability level. The instructor chooses the terrain according to the student’s expectations and ability, as well as the safety conditions on the day. Beginners mainly learn on the Beauregard plateau.
We deliberately keep our group sizes small to ensure high-quality instruction:
Maximum of 5 children in Premium group lessons
Maximum of 6 children at Club Souris and in group lessons outside school holidays
Maximum of 8 children in group ski, snowboard, Tribu and Freeride lessons
During school holidays, lessons start at set times: 8:45am, 11am and 1:30pm — with occasional evening lessons.
Outside school holidays, timings are more flexible.
During the low season (January, March and April), group lessons run from Monday to Friday, 9am–11:30am.
During school holidays, lessons start on Sunday and finish on Friday:
Christmas and New Year holidays: morning lessons (8:55am–10:55am) or midday lessons (11am–1:30pm)
Winter holidays: morning lessons from 8:45am to 10:45am (Club Souris and Premium lessons); midday lessons from 11am to 1:30pm (all levels); afternoon lessons from 2pm to 5pm (all levels, snowboarding, Freeride and Tribu)
We welcome children aged 10 and over who have achieved the ESi Cristal de Diamant or ESF Étoile d’Or level.
No. To avoid putting children under pressure, there is no test — progress is assessed continuously. Every child receives a medal and an ESi passport showing the progress they have made during the week.
Your child should arrive at the lesson with:
Ski clothing and gloves
A helmet (not compulsory, but strongly recommended)
Ski goggles or sunglasses
Ski equipment
A lift pass
A small snack that fits in their pocket
For group lessons, the main meeting point is La Patinoire, at the bottom of the village, next to the gondola lifts. Private lessons can also meet at Le Bossonnet. Depending on your request, the meeting point may be adapted to another location around the village, where the instructor’s schedule allows.
Please arrive 5 minutes before your lesson starts, with your equipment and lift pass.
Yes. Every child taking part in a ski lesson, whether private or in a group, must have a lift pass before arriving at the lesson. Regardless of ability level, we use the lifts to reach the learning areas.
Please note: lift passes are not included in the lesson price.
At any lift-ticket office or online. Sales points are located near our main meeting points: La Patinoire, Le Bossonnet and Crêt du Merle.
Yes. Lessons go ahead whatever the weather, provided the lifts are open. Please make sure you and your children are dressed appropriately for the conditions.
At 17 passage des Novalles, in the upper part of the village, between Ski Set, the wine shop and Atherac. The school is open every day.
No, this isn’t necessary. The meeting points are just 5–10 minutes from the office. If you have received your lesson card by email and know where to meet, you can go straight to the lesson meeting point.
Of course, you’re welcome to visit the office to make a payment, collect a bib or lift pass if we have asked you to — or simply browse our Goodies shop and enjoy a coffee.
All our instructors speak English. Some also have a basic knowledge of Spanish, Dutch, German, Russian and Italian.
Yes, it is advisable. Please inform the instructor so they can take the necessary precautions if an issue arises.
Don’t panic — our instructors are professionals and are used to handling these situations:
Leave your child with the instructor at the meeting point, without prolonging the separation.
Avoid staying where your child can see you.
Avoid contact until the lesson has finished.
In most cases, children quickly get caught up in the group and its activities.
Yes. Third-party liability insurance is essential to cover the costs of rescue services on or off piste in the event of an accident. Our partner, La Compagnie du Sport, offers suitable insurance packages. Please contact us for more information before your stay.
