A family skiing holiday rates very highly in my book, especially when you have kids who love the winter sports scene. There are plenty of resorts with a good set up with regards to lessons, and one of the best is Val d’Isère, in the Espace Killy.
Recommended read: Snowsure Val d’Isère
This is an incredible place to take your kids to ski, but with such a huge choice of ski schools and lesson types, it can be hard to decide what’s best for your youngsters.
Teens and Ski Courses in Val d’Isère
What Should You Consider?
Of course you want your kids to feel challenged, but you also want them to be safe and well supervised. Having been a teen skier myself, I know that kids can sometimes be too good to ski with their parents, too young to get involved in adult lessons and yet be too old for the kiddie options. If your youngsters fit into this category, don’t worry, there are lots of options out there that will enable you to feel confident that they’re taken care of, and the kids will be happy enjoying new challenges.
There are various courses you can enrol your children in, depending on where you’re skiing, but the key is to find one that will allow your kids to mix with other ski-mad teenagers. You also need to look at the course content and feel assured that your kids will be challenged and have the opportunity to learn new skills, while also growing in confidence in a safe and supervised environment. The instructor is an important factor in which course you choose; make sure there’s no language barrier and always go with a company that you get a good feeling about – that’s vital!
In Val d’Isère you’re spoilt for choice with courses.
We Suggest Progression in Val d’Isère
This is a ski school I can’t recommend highly enough. With teen-focussed courses, expert instructors who are all native English speakers, or who speak the language fluently, you can rest assured your kids are in good hands. The emphasis with this ski and snowboard school is on fun, but there is also a huge emphasis on safety. All instructors carry a first aid kit, sun cream and hand warmers.
Lessons are run in a very fluid way, with instructors adapting to the needs of the group. Content is designed carefully and takes into account that kids learn differently to adults. At the end of the week everyone is given a certificate and badge, an educational book relevant to what they have learned and a video of the week.
For information on what this ski school offers, see the website.
What Level Is Right for my Kids?
There is lots of information on the website about each level of class, so you can decide where your children fit in. For the 13-18 year olds who fall into the ‘competent skier category’, levels 4-6 are what you should look at. These levels are focussed on various levels of skiers, from those just comfortable on red runs to those who can ski blacks but want more technical advice on off-piste and carving.
Level 4-6 classes run from Monday to Friday, 9am-1pm and cost €429 for the week. The groups are small, with a maximum of 8 people, which means your kids gets lots of attention.
Detailed information on levels 4-6 can be found via this link.
How to Get to Val d’Isère:
Getting to Val d’Isère is very convenient, as the resort is completely geared towards winter sports visitors. Geneva airport, despite being 177km away, has the best choice of budget flights operated by carriers who spend their winter transporting ski passengers. These include easyJet and Ryanair, who both make the short 1 hour 30 minute flight regularly through the winter season. Chambéry (144km) and Grenoble (210km) are the other two popular arrival airports and both are serviced by several low cost airlines.
The transfer from Geneva to Val d’Isère takes 3 hours and 15 minutes, but if you choose the convenience and comfort of Shuttle Direct’s transfers, the journey will be a pleasure. Avoid the hassle of public transport and let Shuttle Direct take the strain out of getting from Geneva to Val d’Isère. Well versed in transporting bulky ski gear, the team of drivers will make sure you are well taken care of.
Taking the train is always a fun option to consider. Travel with Eurostar via Paris and you’ll arrive in Bourg-St-Maurice in around 8 hours – teenagers love this option. Getting from Bourg-St-Maurice to resort takes less than 45 minutes with a reliable and competitively priced transfer from Shuttle Direct.
Where to Stay
La Savoyarde – This chalet style family hotel is one of my picks because of its proximity to the ski slopes. Fitted out with all the mod cons, the rooms are spacious and offer plenty of room for teenagers to spread out. With a spa and wellness centre, hot tub and hammam, La Savoyarde has bags of appeal. Even the kids will appreciate a little pampering after their day on the slopes. There’s a lively bar and excellent restaurant on site too, so there’s no need to go out every evening if you just want to relax.
White Paradise – Self-catering is a great option for families and White Paradise is a top choice. Only a couple of hundred metres from the Etroits Ski Lift, you can be up and out on the mountain in no time. The dishwasher and microwave make self-catering very convenient, and there is even a washing machine, which means you won’t have to pack too much heavy winter gear. I love the fact that there are two bathrooms, as we all know what teenagers can be like. The free Wi-Fi for the social media posts is another bonus that the kids will appreciate.
Hotel Kandhar – With bags of character, the Hotel Kandhar is ideally located only a few steps from the Solaise and Bellvarde ski slopes. While mums and dads will love the balcony views, the kids will be thankful for the free Wi-Fi access in the bar. With excellent après ski facilities that include a sauna and hammam, this hotel is a great family option.
About Shuttle Direct
Want a stress free transfer from an airport, cruise port, train station or hotel? Shuttle Direct has the answer. We are the number one transfer company in Europe and North Africa and offer fixed price services that can be booked in advance. Our team will handle all your onward travel arrangements (including transporting sports equipment) with great care and attention, so you can relax knowing you are in professional hands.
