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
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 in his mother’s belly, and by the age of 2, he was already on skis, igniting his lifelong passion for the mountains. Now, he carves “ass to grass” and freerides with friends, inspired by his skiing grandpa who continued until age 86.
Why did you choose to teach snowsports?
My best memories from my childhood are the ski holidays and the ski instructor has been the person who really made the vacations outstanding. I want to give this feeling back to as many people as possible, hoping I can also make their vacations unforgettable. My slogan is: Do more of what makes you happy 🙂
What makes you special as an instructor?
About 280-300 days skiing per year is a lot even for ski instructors. It is hard to find other instructors who are as passionate about instructing as I am. This brought me through many different ski instructor associations (including 2 German systems, Irish and Swiss of course) as well as putting me in touch with the Argentinian, British, Italian and French systems. Therefore I have a diverse toolbox for any technical and mental challenges. Also my passion for skiing brought me through many different countries; that’s why I speak English, German, Italian, Spanish and French. My professional pathway includes some of the world’s best resorts including Zermatt, Verbier and Bariloche.
What do you do in the summers?
As I am chasing the snow in South America during European summers I never really have any summer. Over there I do loads of ski-touring, freeride competitions and of course ski teaching as well.
Where is your favourite part of Zermatt to ski/ride?
Rote Nasa and Schwarzsee trees are incredible for off-piste, otherwise the quieter slopes in Valtournenche are great for carving.
What is your favourite restaurant/mountain restaurant in Zermatt?
That’s a hard one, but the mushroom soup at Blatten is incredible!
Why did you choose Zermatt?
Zermatt offers some of the world’s longest and best-groomed runs, exceptional snow reliability, and the unique opportunity for year-round skiing. Coupled with abundant sunshine and excellent dining options, it is, in my opinion, one of the world’s leading ski resorts.
What top handy top do you have for anyone visiting Zermatt?
Start the day early, and don’t rush through your day. The ski resort is too big anyway for seeing it all in a day.