Hugo was born and grew up here in Verbier and has been skiing the slopes here since he first put on skis at the age of 2. Fluent in French and English, he knows every bump and corner of the resort. As a child, Hugo was in the local race club, and then spent a season as the ES Penguin mascot, before qualifying as a ski instructor. Hugo specialises in teaching children and helping them love skiing as much as he does. This is his second season instructing with ES.
August Blanco Back
August was born in Sweden, and has been skiing since before he could tie his own shoes. Since then, he has worked to turn his hobby of skiing into a career. Since 2021, August worked as a ski instructor on the local hill in Stockholm and from 2024 onwards, he has moved onto bigger mountains. He loves exploring everything from off-piste to snow parks and pistes. Nowadays, you’ll find him carving down the slopes with some of his favorite tunes playing in his ears. With several years of experience working at a ski school in Sweden, he’s excited to bring his passion to Verbier in the winter. When he’s not on the slopes, you’ll find him catching the wind in a small sailing dinghy.
August loves teaching all ages and levels, from the first feeling of ski boots to the advanced carver. If you are looking for nice pistes, flowing turns, good food and a welcoming atmosphere, he invites you for a day on the slopes
August’s clients say:
“Private lesson with August, great teacher! Educational and safe, made me dare to go and we had a fun and rewarding morning.”- TripAdvisor, 9 January 2026
Fabio Frongia
Fabio is a highly experienced instructor with 12 seasons of teaching experience across Switzerland, Canada, Japan, Argentina, Austria and Germany. He is currently working with ES in Verbier and Zermatt. His passion lies in sharing his experience with others, helping them reach their potential on skis while creating memorable alpine experiences. Alongside his teaching, Fabio is active in freeride guiding and junior coaching, as well as teaching avalanche courses at Freeride Academy Innsbruck.
His approach combines clear, structured instruction with a strong focus on safety, terrain awareness, and decision-making, making him a trusted choice for guests looking to explore off-piste. With his 6 years of experience competing on the Freeride World Qualifier circuit, he brings a high level of technical understanding and loves helping guests build confidence, develop skills and line choice, and safely expand their limits in the mountains.
Although he is based in Verbier and Innsbruck, he has spent some time living in Zermatt, exploring its skiing and mountaineering possibilities.
Outside of winter, he continues guiding and pursuing outdoor projects. His summers include kayak guiding, mountaineering, sailing, film and photography. Fabio brings a positive, relaxed energy to the mountain that helps guests feel comfortable and confident. Sometimes with a dad joke or two
Emelie Weil
Emelie is an enthusiastic and easy-going ski instructor, and her love for skiing and the resort is contagious. Her energy and positivity make learning a fun and memorable experience. Having lived in Verbier as a child, Emilie knows the ins and outs of of the resort and is a great guide. She enjoys meeting new people from all over, and will ensure that her clients make the most of every day on the slopes.
Why did you choose to teach snowsports?
To be able to share my love for skiing with others and see my client’s progress!
Jonatan Hartmann
Jonatan is a Scandic instructor, with both Swedish and Swiss blood running through his veins. Jonatan’s biggest passion is to pass on his love for snowsports to others. He will tailor every lesson for his clients needs to make them feel safe, listened to and have them progressing in their own tempo. It’s Jonatan’s third season in Verbier so he definitely knows a little secret or two on what to do, where to go and where to eat!
Why did you choose to teach snowsports?
When growing up I was always put in a snowsports school on winter vacation and the coolest person at the time was definitely my instructor, so one day I decided to make myself as cool as him, which led me to become a snowsports instructor.
What makes you special as an instructor?
I try to make every lesson tailored for my clients needs and wants to make them feel safe and enjoy themselves, hoping to pass my love for turning down the slopes of the Swiss Alps.
What do you do in the summers?
In summers you will most certainly find me on some of the fantastic Nordic golf courses doing my best to break club records.
Where is your favorite part to ski/ride?
Definitely a cold snowy day cruising around in the trees of the Bruson forest in fresh powder.
Why did you choose this resort?
The Swiss Alps have always been on my radar and when choosing which resort to go to, I made the decision of the one with the best cheese and greatest off-piste runs.
Mauro Frongia
Mauro’s journey into skiing began before he was even born, and by the age of two he was already on skis. This early start sparked a lifelong passion for the mountains. Today, he enjoys carving and freeriding with friends, inspired by his grandfather, who skied until the age of 86.
Why did you choose to teach snowsport?
Some of my best childhood memories come from ski holidays. My ski instructor played a big part in making those experiences so special. I want to give that same feeling to others and help make their holidays unforgettable. My motto is: Do more of what makes you happy 🙂
What makes you special as an instructor?
I spend around 280 to 300 days on skis each year, which reflects how passionate I am about both skiing and teaching. I have trained across several ski instructor systems, including German, Irish, and Swiss, and have experience with others such as Argentinian, British, Italian, and French. This gives me a broad and flexible approach to teaching.
My passion has also taken me around the world. I have worked in top resorts such as Zermatt, Verbier, and Bariloche. I speak English, German, Italian, Spanish, and French, which helps me connect with a wide range of clients.
What do you do in the summers?
I follow the snow to South America during the European summer, so I rarely have a traditional off-season. There, I focus on ski touring, freeride competitions, and, of course, teaching.
Where is your favourite part of Zermatt to ski/ride?
Rote Nase and the Schwarzsee tree runs are incredible for off-piste skiing. For carving, I enjoy the quieter slopes in Valtournenche.
What is your favourite restaurant/mountain restaurant in Zermatt?
It is a difficult choice, but the mushroom soup at Blatten is a standout.
Why did you choose Zermatt?
Zermatt offers some of the longest and best-groomed runs in the world, along with excellent snow reliability and the possibility of year-round skiing. Combined with plenty of sunshine and great dining options, it is one of the world’s leading ski destinations.
What top handy top do you have for anyone visiting Zermatt?
Start your day early and take your time. The ski area is large, and it is impossible to see everything in one day, so enjoy the experience rather than rushing.
Mauro’s clients say:
“We had a great week in zermatt … our group is a mix of snowboarders and skiers. For skier we had Mauro. Super nice guy with a lot of mountain knowledge … and super fast!!!”- Google, 3 February 2026
