European Snowsport

Outstanding, independent ski schools in Verbier, Zermatt, Nendaz, St Moritz and Chamonix

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    Kids Group Lessons

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    Verbier’s Kids Manager Kate tells us more about what European Snowsport has on offer for our youngest skiers. Kids Ski Lessons

    Here at European Snowsport we pride ourselves with teaching children of all ages and all abilities. We have a designated team of instructors who have a wealth of experience and knowledge when it comes to kids lessons. We make sure skiing is all about fun, so that they come away with great memories and plenty of new friends.

    What do we offer?

    –Penguins are the youngest of our kids ranging from 3-5 years old.

    –Kids Academy ranging from 6-12 years old.

    -Freeski for adventurous teenagers.

    Each age group has levels that progress with your child’s ability. From learning to put on their skis, mastering a button lift and skiing the many Itineraries we have to offer, right through to skiing in the park with confidence.

    Our instructors will go through different activities and techniques to get the best from the children, working on individual tasks and as a group. To make it even more worthwhile we have a maximum of 4 kids in our Penguin groups and 6 in our Kids Academy and Freeski groups. Small size groups means we really get to know each child individually and work on their own personal goals.

    How do I get my kids into skiing? Children’s Skiing

    So why do we have levels? There is a big jump in ability between the beginners slope and heading out into the mountains. It can be quite a scary place out there if your don’t feel confident so we make sure the groups progress at pace that’s comfortable for them.

    We love seeing our kids progress through the levels and the excitement when they move up to the next level. On the first day we will make sure that they are in the right group so that they can get the most out of it. If the instructor feels someone is progressing faster and would be better suited in another group, we can make the change. The kids coordinator in each resort will oversee this process, working closely with instructors to see how everything is working.

    PENGUINS

    If you would like some more information please feel free to gives us a call or contact us through the website here. We look forward to skiing with you soon!

    Video by Lucy Croft

     

    ES Zermatt Opening Party

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    Here in Zermatt we’ve had a great week out on the slopes for formation, getting our ski legs back and exploring the mountain. The team have been looking sharp in our new Black Diamond uniforms and we’ve had plenty of snow in resort, setting us up nicely for the winter ahead.

    The Zermatt team out for a ski in their new uniform

    To celebrate we collected the entire team together down at the Cuckoo Club for our annual opening party. Friends and business partners from around resort were also invited to help us get the season started in style.

    We would like to say a massive thank you to Cuckoo Club for hosting us and to our commercial manager Alastair and Director Hannah for organising such a great evening.

    Zermatt instructors Ben, Bryony, Hanna, Jack, Seb and Verbier Commercial Manager and Instructor Charlotte. (From left)

    Here’s a selection of pictures from the night. There’s plenty of familiar faces in the crowd as well as some new ones who we are very excited to welcome to our team this year. Maybe you can spot your favourite instructor?

    To see all the photos have a look on our facebook page HERE.
    We look forward to a great season and seeing you on the slopes!

    Instructors Harry (far left) and Chloe (far right) with ES Zermatt director Hannah and her husband Steve.

     

    Glacier Sport‘s Basti, Verbier’s Assistant Director Martin and Operations manager in Verbier Jonas.

     

    Bramble Ski team members made an appearance!

     

    Alex and Charlotte from Petit Zermatt, ES instructor Beth and boot fitter James.

    The Big Five Challenge

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    Having listened to the feedback from our clients over many years, we know there are a lot of good skiers and snowboarders out there. They often know Verbier well, having stayed here over many years, and are advanced level or expert on the snow.
    So we have developed the “Big 5 Challenge”, a special day out with an ES instructor who will guide you to the best unpisted runs, with the best snow. And we will give you a “Big 5 Challenge” certificate and gift at the end of it, if you complete the challenge.

    Ski the top 5 unpisted trails (“itineraries”) in Verbier, the freeride capital of Europe.
    -The Steepest
    -The Longest
    -The biggest moguls
    -The best tree skiing
    -The most beautiful itinerary runs

    Here is your day;

    1. Start with the itinerary that is the best kept secret in the 4 Valleys, through the trees in the morning on Les Otanes, on the Bruson side. If snow conditions permit, you can go all the way down to Le Chable.

    2. From here, take the lifts back up on the Verbier side, past Lac de Vaux to the top of Tortin.
    This run is legendary for its steepness, length, and bumps! You can dive straight down or, depending on conditions, take the trail off to the side, to tackle the soft moguls that can get as big as cars, with famously good snowholding on the north facing slope.

    3. Three lifts take you back up again to the top of Mt Gele (“Frozen Mountain”), where all of the ways down are steep and unpisted. Depending on conditions there are different options; all of them are steep, empty and wild.

    4. Take the swooping run in to your next itinerary, Gentianes. Play in the natural half pipes and fabulous snow, heading down towards Siviez and the other valleys past Verbier.

    5. Two more lifts take you back up and then you will finish by heading down the narrow track, often with over a meter of snow piled on either side, that takes you into Vallon D’Arbi. This long, steep, wooded itinerary takes you into terrain many Verbier regulars have never seen, finishing in La Tsoumaz. Take lift back out, then be last off the mountain on the long run back to Verbier.

    Instructor Beth Lloyd in the trees! Photo by James Rushforth.

    Depending on mountain conditions, including avalanche risk and run closures, some runs may be replaced with others on the day. For example, Vallon D’Arbi may be replaced with Col des Mines, a beautiful itinerary with spectacular views that takes you back into Verbier in the afternoon sun.

    Worth it for a certificate? Of course not, but this experience will stay with you for a lifetime.

    The “Big 5 challenge” is 595chf for the day. The price does not change if your friends and family join in, so you can invite others to share the experience with you. We guarantee there will be plenty to talk about for the rest of your holiday!

    By Laura Shadbolt

    Competition: Name the Penguin!

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    ES PENGUINS

    New for this season 2018/19 is our group size for ES Penguins at JUST 4 per instructor, our smallest group size. This will make sure that your little one gets the attention they need, whilst learning and playing in a fun, on-snow environment with friends.

    To celebrate, we are asking for your ideas to Name the Penguin. Penguin’s new name will be announced in our next newsletter and the prize for the name chosen will be a lovely cuddly stuffed toy Penguin (with baby Penguins for runners up).

    To enter the competition, send your ideas to [email protected], together with your reasons. Look out for Penguin on the slopes this winter, with their new name! See the story below:

    The Lonely Penguin.

    High up in the snowy mountains there was a dark, mysterious cave. There had been rumours that a lonely Penguin lived in there all alone, never to be seen. The Penguin was curious about the world outside but was shy and nervous to go out and explore. This made the Penguin sad. That was until one day some kids came sliding around on two long planks of wood. What are they doing?  the Penguin thought. They were laughing and having fun, jumping and sliding, and giggling and gliding. Something had to be done.
    The Penguin decided to be brave and ventured outside. Wearing a blue woolly hat the Penguin stepped out in to the fluffy winter wonderland. It was beautiful, the trees were white with snow, as were the little chalets roofs and the mountains were shiny and glittering.
    The lonely Penguin got closer and closer and the children’s laughter was getting louder. Perhaps the Penguin didn’t need to be scared after all.
    When the children saw the Penguin, they stopped and ran over with smiles on their faces. “Come and join us, we are skiing!” they said with excitement in their voices. The lonely Penguin stood and thought for a minute. It would be great to make new friends, and skiing looked fun too! There was just one thing that was in need of fixing… What would the children call the Penguin?

    The Penguin needed a name.