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Which ES Ski Resort is Right for You?

29 October 2019 by European Snowsport

ES Operates in six of the the world’s best and most well-known ski resorts: Verbier, Zermatt, St Moritz, Nendaz, Chamonix and Val D’Isère. But which ski resort is right for you?

Update October 2019: ES now operates in Val D’Isère. Connected to Tignes, Val D’Isère shares over 300km of slopes with something to suit everyone… Here is our new Val D’Isère Page.

Our categories:

Families
Romantic Weekend
Corporate Weekend
On a Budget
Classic Hotels
Modern Hotel wonders
Cheap Eats
Late Season Skiing

Families

Verbier – For families learning to ski, the sunny slopes of Verbier are an excellent choice. The main ski area is fairly concentrated meaning it is easy to meet up for lunch or a coffee break. The progression of the terrain can be a little challenging for some first time skiers, so perhaps a better choice for the sporty family!

Zermatt – With its car free streets and range of off-snow activities, Zermatt is a great choice for families who perhaps aren’t only interested in the skiing. Its wide open, gentle pistes are perfect for working on turns and building confidence. The expansive ski area, does mean meeting up for lunch can take a bit of organising, however many of the mountain restaurants can be accessed via cable cars and trains, so a nice option for any non-skiers in the group.

Chamonix – A bit too hard core for most families! There are some gentler slopes in Les Houches, but choices are limited in other areas for kids. Short transfer time from Geneva though!

St. Moritz – Nice wide slopes, classic big hotels, but a long transfer.

Nendaz – Two great beginner areas with quieter slopes and easy 4 Valleys access.

Val D’Isère – Both the Solaise and Bellevarde ski areas have wide green runs are reserved for beginners skiing at gentle speeds.

Winner -Nendaz

Nendaz ski school European Snowsport — An example of some stunning Nendaz scenery.

Romantic Weekend

Verbier – Verbier is great for the young and sporty who want to be challenged in their skiing, however this might not suit couples where one person is a better skier. Having to talk your other half down a black run is not most peoples’ idea of romance!

Zermatt – The anniversary or the proposal, classic, old “romantic”. Zermatt could be a better choice for couples; the resort has a lovely atmosphere with small rickety streets lined with mazots and cute, cosy bars and restaurants. A morning ski over the border to Italy for a romantic lunch in one of many family-run mountain restaurants is a great way to escape the crowds.

Chamonix – Spectacular, but be prepared to encounter the odd stag weekend. Chamonix also has its romantic appeal, but a different kind. Come here if your other half likes hiking and gets turned on by a Patagonia shop or a rack of crampons!

St. Moritz – Splash the cash, dress up, if he or she can’t see the beauty of this valley then run a mile. For a kids-free weekend I’d also go for St. Moritz; very glam, some great bars, epic wide valley scenery, crazy shopping, its a proper escape.

Nendaz – Amazing views combined with cute, quaint bars and coffee shops with a local feel.

Val D’Isère -Enjoy a romantic meal at the L’Atelier d’Edmond restaurant. Or reserve a private bubble for a romantic aperitif with champagne on Valentines day!

Winner: Zermatt

things to do in zermatt winter — Once you get away from the main streets, Zermatt is full of hidden gems and beautiful architecture.

Corporate team building weekend

Chamonix – Chamonix is a great choice for the corporate weekend on a budget; you can splash the cash on lavish, impressive dinners for your team for a fraction of the cost of the Swiss resorts. However, the skiing is challenging and some of the team might chose to duck it.

Verbier – Verbier is also awesome; great night life, good skiing, easy transfer, cool chalets and boutique hotels. The classic work weekend.

Zermatt – longer weekend, lots of good team building activities. Zermatt takes longer to get to unless you go by helicopter. That said it can be a fun alternative for the work weekend, with excellent mountain restaurants for a boozy lunch. Spend two nights to make the most of it.

St. Moritz – St. Moritz is unique. We can organise, at a price, an entire train for your party, branded for your company. That’s right, a branded train. You can also fly your team in direct to the resort in a chartered plane and the nightlife is impressive.

Nendaz – A bit quieter on the nightlife front but offers access to a massive range of terrain to suit everyone.

Val D’Isère -La Folie Douce is a famous apres ski location. Not to mention there’s plenty of on and off-snow activities to be getting on with.

Winner: Verbier

Verbier ski school European Snowsport — Beautiful Verbier

On a budget

Verbier– Could be a little difficult. Although there is quite a range of accommodation, places to eat and shop on offer, prices are competitive and luxury is the name of the game. Not the best location for a budget holiday.

Zermatt – This town on a budget is a task, but not impossible. In low season there are some hotel rooms for as little as 70 CHF or you can choose to spend a night or two at the Matterhorn Hostel! The lift pass is expensive and ancillary purchases like hot chocolates and shopping add up, but if you’re willing to forgo some comforts, you can still experience skiing under the Matterhorn on a budget.

St Moritz – St. Moritz’s reputation as a destination exclusively for the rich and famous must be brutally contradicted! It is possible to stay in or nearby on a budget, while St. Moritz itself is expensive, there are small family run hotels that are affordable. St. Moritz is the name of one village but in reality the other connecting resorts are equally luxurious: Pontrasina, Sill Maria, Corvatch… In these lesser known spots are some of the Alps’ finest 5 * hotels and are the most authentic alpine villages. They also you’ll find smaller self catering options and family run hotels.

Chamonix – great prices, France, Eurozone enough said. Obviously, with the strong Swiss Franc, Chamonix will always be the cheaper option. There are also a range of hostels and auberges along the Chamonix Valley enabling access to the amazing terrain and scenery without breaking the bank.

Nendaz – Our best-value Swiss ES resort. The Printze sector lift pass is also cheaper and offers access to the quieter side of the 4 Valleys.

Val D’Isère -For France, Val is still on the upper end of the price range, although there are some great self serve restaurants if you want to save money at lunch. On a budget you can get goulash soup and free drinking water at the Cascade restaurant on the Val D’Isère glacier for 5€.

Winner: Chamonix

European snowsport ski school chamonix — In Chamonix, nothing beats a trip up the Aiguille du Midi.

Classic Hotels

St. Moritz – boasts some unrivalled 5 * hotels such as Suvretta House which offers history, views and unbeatable service. The Kennedy boys went there as kids.

Zermatt -glory in the old style. Hotels that have seen the likes of Queen Victoria, Whymper, Churchill and Roosevelt.

Val D’Isère -A plethora of choice from traditional alpine to breathtaking modern style, right next to the pistes!

Chamonix -Chamonix has some impressive new builds worth looking into but for the most part it’s a vibe of faded glory meets French modernism.

Nendaz -everything from four-star hotel and spa deals to cosy, chalet-style hotels.

Verbier -Verbier didn’t really hit its stride until the 1970’s so we are afraid it doesn’t have any classics to offer here. However if there were a classic night club category, The Farm would win hands down!

Winner: St Moritz

Zermatt to St Moritz — Glacier Express Linking Zermatt and St Moritz

Modern Hotel Wonders

Verbier -the W Verbier is possibly the coolest hotel in the Alps.

Zermatt -Anything designed by Heinz Julen will turn heads, and in Zermatt there are quite a few, including one hotel with a Jacuzzi that pops out of the roof above your bed.

Val D’Isère -Look to the stylish La Mourra and Le Refuge at the top of Solaise.
Also the big surprise of 2019/2020 is Mademoiselle Val D’Isère, the first Palace in Val D’Isère on the snow front with an amazing dedicated children’s area.

St. Moritz -some of the modern annexes of the classic hotels are a lesson in architectural refinement and interior luxury.

Nendaz -The 4* Hotel Nendaz 4 Vallées and Spa wins most luxurious hotel in Nendaz.

Chamoni –Rather tired 5*s with a few boutiques on the cheap.

Winner: Verbier

Cheap Eats

Chamonix –French food will always win when it comes to value and quality. Sorry Switzerland.

Val D’Isère -On a budget you can get goulash soup and free drinking water at the cascade restaurant on the Val D’Isère glacier for 5€. Etincelle restaurant on the beginners’ area in the village does great quality meat and pizzas, including truffle pizza. CHANGE

Nendaz -A much cheaper, quieter alternative to Verbier.

Verbier –The word “cheap” and pretty much anything in Switzerland don’t always go hand-in-hand, but explore and you will find. Le Bec, the host shop Mountain Air is surprisingly good value and healthy too.

Zermatt –Home to a pizza delivery company with its own electro vehicle for the car-free resort famous for it’s expense. Or try the Pizza Factory in the Post Hotel.

St Moritz -The word cheap doesn’t exist this far east but the fish restaurant Murtaröl is worth a visit.

Winner: Chamonix

Late season skiing

Val D’Isère -closes the first weekend in May…the snow is still amazing. The snow is always good here as most of the skiing is above 1850. In Tignes, 2 Glacier areas operate all summer with runs to suit all levels.

Zermatt –lifts here are open 365 days a year and the mighty Glacier Paradise area stays open even through the hottest days of July and August. But by May the other areas are closed …

St Moritz –Depending on the snow year St Moritz has been known to stay open until the first week of May. However most of the hotels will begin to close to their doors earlier than this so getting a bed could be tricky.

Verbier –Lifts close on the last Sunday in April, there is a great closing party weekend and after that it is just for ski touring, sorry…

Chamonix –Ski touring at the end of the winter is often great, but for those of us who rely on the ski lifts, sorry again.

Nendaz -afraid it is all over here by the second half of April.

Winner: Val D’Isère

So, which one takes your fancy? If you would like any more information please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at European Snowsport. We are always happy to help!

8 Reasons why Verbier is Europe’s Premier Snowboarding holiday resort.

27 November 2018 by Matt Spragg

Everyone has a different idea of what they want from a Snowboarding holiday. If you’re going to spend your hard earned cash and accumulated holiday time, you want it to be an awesome holiday experience.

With an abundance of pistes, totalling 56, and the longest being 15km long you can see why Verbier is a world renowned luxury resort. Throw in some epic snow and a crew to shred with, and you’re half way to heaven. From perfect groomers, a freshly shaped terrain park and world quality off-piste terrain, its difficult to see why Verbier doesn’t make all top 10 snowboard resort lists. It’s an absolute undiscovered gem of quality riding that only the few know about.

Here’s why Verbier is probably Europe’s best snowboarding resort.

1. WEATHER

The amazing weather that Verbier offers is second to none. If you want sunny and warm conditions then this resort delivers. The town and a number of slopes are south facing so sunshine is not a problem to find. Perfect for some softer snow on a cold morning or for aprés beers after a long day of shredding.

2. ENDLESS SNOW

If fresh snow is what you desire then the slopes around Verbier have this covered. With lifts going up to 3300m, there is no problem finding fresh snow. Verbier town is situated at 1500m, giving a total vertical descent from the top lift to town of 1830m. If you are unsure of where to go and find untouched freshies, why not get a backcountry day. You might even pick up a tip or two.

3. LIFT NETWORK

A good lift is essential, and a network of lifts is even better. Verbier has 150km of pistes divided into roughly 45% easy, 45% intermediate and 10% advanced slopes. Verbier has an enormous ride area when joined with Nendaz,(links?)Veysonnaz, La Tzoumaz, Thyon and Val de Bagnes to create the 4Vallees. 94 lifts and over 400km of pistes all on one pass. It’s hard to see why Verbier is the most underrated for snowboarding in Europe.

4. FRESH, UNTRACKED SNOW

The off piste terrain is so incredible they hold the final of the Freeride World Tour here! Verbier is a freeride mecca and has been known as Switzerland’s version of Chamonix, with its high peaks and endless backcountry.

5. A BIT OF A CHALLENGE

If you are looking for a challenge then look no further. Verbier has a number of marked and controlled off piste routes for the more advanced rider. If you’re looking for a variety of terrain within one resort, Verbier’s itineraries has it covered.

6. SNOW PARK

Verbier hasn’t had the best reputation for its terrain park in the past, but over the last few years even more money has been put into improve the jumps, boxes and rails. There are many new features each year and the freestyle area continues to advance leaps and bounds.

Here are the stats that are changing Verbier’s freestyle image. Located at 2250m, the La Chaux snowpark delivers guaranteed snow and sunshine. The park is suitable for all levels and is maintained daily. The park includes 2 starts, 5 lines, 1 airbag and a boarder cross race track.
Features include:
Green line (woops)
Blue line consisting of 3 kickers and boxes for beginners.
Red line consisting of 3 kickers and 9 rails.
Pro/black line consisting of 2 kickers and 5 rails.

7. APRÉS SKI

Verbier has an endless amount of places to party after a long (or not so long) day on the hill. Up the mountain you’ll find Chalet Carlsberg, Bar 1936 and IceCube to name a few, with live music and DJs. To end a long day with a sunset then Le Rouge (Café del Mar Ibiza vibe) is the place to go, and you can ride right to the door.
If you prefer to sing and dance your heart out then in the centre of town you will find the Farinet Aprés Ski bar. This place will blow your aprés expectations into the next universe. Live bands perform every day of the season with a new band every week. Verbier has 4 night clubs, so partying on until the early hours is possible no matter what your taste. If you are looking to party hard Verbier has got what you need.

8. LOCAL SNOWBOARD SHOPS

There are plenty of local ski and snowboard shops. If anything goes wrong, there is always a shop on hand with stock to cover all eventualities, so you can get back to riding as soon as possible.
If you want to talk about progressing your snowboarding in Verbier, get in touch!
If you still don’t believe us then Verbier’s British ambassador and BBC snowboard correspondent Ed Leigh will show you. He loves the snowboarding in Verbier so much he moved here with his family!

By Matt Spragg at es-ride.com

Winter warmers: How to keep warm skiing.

19 November 2018 by Beth Lloyd

Keep Warm Skiing

So you get cold easily and want to keep wam skiing. It’s to be expected when taking part in a sport thousands of meters above sea level at below zero temperatures. Having the right gear to combat the elements is important. Choosing the right layering system, cosy gloves and woolly socks is on the minds of many at this time of year. It would be a shame after all to book a ski holiday, book lessons and then be unable to enjoy yourself because you can’t feel your hands and toes.

For some though buying a nice warm jacket isn’t quite enough. Long days on the mountain can cool off the hardiest skiers and extra measures need to be taken! Luckily there are lots of ways to warm up with some of these great winter warmers.

Getting your layering system right.

Base layers: Merino

The materials we choose to dress ourselves in matter and so does the way we layer them. With a decent base layer we can keep ourselves dry, regulate our temperature and even manage unwanted odours. There are many natural and synthetic solutions to this out there on the market today and the choice can be a little overwhelming. Keep Warm Skiing

Merino has always been a firm favourite for skiers and hikers. This particularly soft sheeps wool is a great choice for base layers as it is finer than more traditional wool and therefore much less likely to cause irritation. It is highly breathable, wicking away moisture to help you stay dry and yet has anti-bacterial properties that reduce body odour. Even when damp, the material has the ability to both retain body heat as well as release it if you were to get too hot.

Mid layers: Down and synthetic

Having your trusty down jacket can be a saviour on the chilliest of days. Yet they are infamously difficult to look after. Washing, drying, repairing, and conserving a down jacket can be a tough job, so why own one?
Well firstly down’s ability to conserve heat is well established. Couple that with its warmth-to-weight ratio and you’re onto a winner. Down insulation is made from the natural midlayer of geese or ducks, using the fluffy, lofty feathers beneath their outer plumage. It is extremely breathable and packs down easily too, which is great for mountaineers and skiers who may be out in changing weather conditions.

It does however fall victim to wet, humid weather and once those feathers are wet your jacket’s performance will suffer. Which is where synthetic insulation comes in. It aims to do everything down can do and continue to do it when wet. Synthetic fibres dry faster and come with a cheaper price tag too. That said, it struggles to match down’s natural warmth-to-weight ration however, so you need to decide what is more important to you .

keep warm skiing — One of our instructors in their trusty down jacket, out exploring last year’s record snowfall in Zermatt.

Outer shell: Gore-tex

Two of the biggest factors in cooling are wet weather and wind chill. Both on their own and in conjunction with one another, they can do a great deal of damage to your core temperature. So having an outer layer that can protect not only you but your thermal layers below is pretty important. Gore-tex is one of the most well known brands in this area because of its ability to protect from wind and keep you dry. It is also breathable, a problem with most waterproof garments. It’s all very well being protected from wet weather on the outside, but if you are too hot and sweating inside your jacket, you can begin to cool down just as quickly. Keep Warm Skiing use Goretex.

Ski Boots

Getting the right fit with your boots has a big part to play in preventing chilly toes! Too big, and the air space around your feet can cool quickly, too tight and blood flow will be restricted, leading to the same problem. The socks you wear can also contribute to this. You should only wear one pair of thin, technical ski socks. This helps with circulation and allows your feet to breathe. More than one pair of socks can lead to discomfort and overheating, sweating, then cooling.

Adjusting your boots in different situations can also be useful. When you’re on the lift, undo your clips to give your feet a little space. Then, when you tighten them back up to ski, be sure not to over tighten them! Keep Warm Skiing!

Heated clothing

If your layering system still isn’t working quite well enough you can turn to the world out heated ski clothing. Battery powered gloves, socks, and jackets are steadily becoming less bulky and more affordable. There’s no unwieldy battery packs or tangled wires. You’ll just see neatly concealed systems that could leave onlookers completely unaware that you are secretly being kept toasty warm!

For example, once your toes go it’s very difficult to concentrate on working your skis. But in a space as small as ski boots, preserving heat can be challenging. Heated socks and/or foot beds are a great solution.

You don’t need to compromise your custom foot bed and liners either. Many boot fitters will help to build the heating elements into your boots. Then they run streamlined wires along the soles and up out of the liner to small battery packs on the cuffs. Some systems can even be controlled by Bluetooth from your mobile phone. So there’s no need to roll up the bottom of your ski trousers to control them.

So with all that sorted you should be able to head out on the hill insulated, regulated and protected against whatever mountain conditions you may face. If you’re not worrying about numb toes or a bitter, winter wind then you can focus fully at the task at hand -skiing! Keep Warm Skiing.

Top 5 Ski Apps for winter 2018/19

12 October 2018 by Beth Lloyd

The relationship between skiing and technology is an ever-growing one. Talk of E-goggles, heated clothing and custom foot beds that monitor your movements all sound a bit ‘out there’ for most of us. But there are other ways that we can use tech to compliment our days out on the mountain.

If you’ve ever been to the app store on your smart phone and typed in ski app, you will have likely been overwhelmed by choice! Weather, maps, webcams, advice, tracking, games -pretty much anything ski related and someone has made an app for it.

So which ones should you chose to accompany you this season? Here’s our favourite five:

On the Snow (Top all rounder)

This great all round app covers snow reports, weather, webcams, resort profiles and more. You simply tell it which resorts you are interested in and the rest comes easily. It’s free to download and pretty easy to navigate around. The ski areas are rated, priced up and mapped alongside galleries and stats like elevation and open lifts.

Ski Tracks (Statistics)

For the competitive skier within. Ski tracks has long been a favourite of those wanting to track their own skiing performance. From within your pocket this app will measure your speed and distance travelled around the mountain. It will also let you know how much elevation you have gained and lost and let you map out your day from start to finish. The danger comes when trying to max out one’s highest speed (so please use responsibly!)

Adventure Sport network. (Inspiration)

The ASN app is a hub of inspiration for all outdoor enthusiasts. Like a Youtube for adrenaline junkies you can find endless resources no matter what your sport and no matter what the season. So to fill the time between now and your next adventure and take a scroll through this well polished community app.

Bergfex/Ski. (Weather)

Finding a good weather app can be harder than you think. But it’s a good idea to do some digging. Some snow report apps can be frustrating, letting those little snowflake predictions hang, just out of reach at the end of the week. Then as those days approach the incoming snow gets pushed back again and again. No one likes false promises. But the weather is a tough thing to predict so any snow report has to be taken with a pinch of salt. That said Bergfex has always been a reliable favourite. Their ski specific app comes in a free lite version or the highly rated full app at a small fee which is well worth it.

Ski fit. (Fitness)

It’s a funny sport skiing. How many sports do you do intensively for a week, five hours a day (with a bit of après on the side) and then leave again, untouched for the rest of the year? Seems only fair to prepare with a bit of ski related fitness. The ski fit app introduces the user to a number of stretches and exercises that will not only prepare them for their holiday but help to prevent injury.

So there you have it, make space on your phone for those and head out onto the hill safe in the knowledge that you are the most up to date! If you fancy seeing how far you can travel with your Ski tracks app or testing your ski fitness on that carefully planned bluebird day why not book with one of our experienced instructors? Check out our booking page here.

Ski Touring is Fun: Why not give it a try this winter?

7 October 2018 by Chloe Hardy

If you’ve been skiing in the Alps there’s no doubt you’ll have seen people ski touring. Those crazy-looking people going uphill on their skis. But ski touring is, in fact, a great way to explore the mountains and challenge yourself, all while burning calories and getting a healthy dose of fresh air.

Ski touring European Snowsport — Ski Touring is challenging, but it’s also social and fun!

You can learn to tour at any point in the winter, from early to late season, providing there’s enough snow. And there are so many benefits to earning your turns it would be a shame not to give it a try. For starters, it’s really good for you. Like going for a hike or a run, but on skis. And while walking downhill may be a little hard on the knees, skiing certainly isn’t. You’re also doing your bit for the environment if you forego the lifts (and the crowds!) for a few days and experience a more natural way of travelling uphill. Not to mention all the stunning views and beautiful scenery you’ll see along the way.

Despite popular belief, touring doesn’t have to be to be mega difficult. The average tour is about kicking back and taking it easy with a mellow ascent, lots of photo stops, a drink and a bite to eat at the top and then a fun ski back down. You can even do a tour up to a mountain refuge and have a fondue before skiing back to base. Short, mellow routes are the best ones to get you started, but after that, the possibilities are endless. Multi-day tours like the Haute Route, where you stay overnight in remote refuges, and races like the PDG are some of the more extreme examples!

It’s Not as Hard as it Looks!

If you’ve never been ski touring before, it’s easy to learn. Before you start you’ll need to have a decent level of physical fitness and be able to ski confidently off-piste. You’ll also need some special equipment; touring skis are fitted with special bindings that detach at the heel so you can lift them in order to easily walk uphill. You’ll also need skins, which are essentially strips of carpet that stick to the bases of your skis and stop you from sliding backwards as you walk. Often when you go touring, you’re heading outside the marked ski area so avalanche equipment and knowledge of how to use it is essential. It also helps to have adjustable touring poles.

Luckily, all this equipment can be easily rented from a decent ski shop, including avalanche gear. Now just to find someone to show you how to use it! Taking a lesson is a great idea and will start you off on the right foot. At ES we have plenty of instructors who are qualified to teach you the basics. Your instructor will show you how to use all the equipment, teach you the most efficient touring techniques and most importantly, keep you safe. They will carefully plan a route based on the snow conditions, the weather and your ability level, and will never take you anywhere you can’t handle. There are so many places to tour in the Four Valleys; there’s something for everyone.

Your first tour may be difficult (after all, you are walking uphill with a bit of extra weight on your feet!), and while a lot of people are put off by the fitness aspect, don’t let it scare you away. The fun is in the challenge, and you’ll always be rewarded by the ski back down. There really is nothing like the feeling of all that hard work paying off as you reach the top of a deserted mountain, knowing that a fun ski back down awaits!

If you’d like to learn the basics of ski touring, get in touch with ES to organise a lesson. And of course, all your equipment can be rented from Mountain Air in Verbier, Glacier Sport in Zermatt and Premier Alpine Centre in Nendaz. Happy touring!

So You Can Already Ski? Why You Should Still Take Ski Lessons.

4 October 2018 by Chloe Hardy

Why You Should Still Take Ski Lessons

So, you’ve skied for as long as you can remember. You go skiing at least once, if not twice, three times a year. You can ski all the pistes in resort no problem, and a lot of the off-piste. You’ve even helped your friends and family with their ski technique. You don’t need ski lessons anymore, right? Here is why you should still take ski lessons.

Not necessarily.

Even if you can already ski confidently on- and off-piste, you’re probably aware you have a weak point or find a particular aspect of skiing difficult. If you avoid black runs like the plague, always take the easy way out of the moguls or find your legs burning beyond belief in the powder, don’t just muscle through! Take a lesson. Ski lessons aren’t just for those who want to learn the basics; a ski lesson can focus on anything, from psychological aspects of skiing, like improving your confidence on steeper slopes, to the technical, like nailing your speed and control in the bumps.

In fact, skiing is such a technical sport that every day is a school day. The phrase, ‘Skiing? Completed it, mate,’ doesn’t exist when it comes to two planks. Even us ski instructors put weeks of our winter into training and making sure our technique is up to scratch. And that’s all part of the fun. But having someone around to let you know your skills are heading in the right direction makes the process that much more rewarding, enjoyable and adds just the right amount of challenge.

Why You Should Still Take Ski Lessons : Technique

Efficiency is also a big part of skiing, so if you find yourself tiring quicker than the rest of your group, your technique may well be in need of a few tweaks. A good ski technique is all about getting the maximum output while using the least amount of energy. Maybe your body position is all wrong, or you tense up all your muscles when you ski? Book a lesson. Those few hours with an instructor could see you skiing for longer every day.

And then there’s the bad habits. Maybe you never pole plant, or you snowplough when it starts getting steep, or you always forget to flex your ankles. Book a lesson. While there may be no quick fix for these little niggles, your instructor will help make you aware of them and help you find ways to improve them that you can practice in your own time.

Why You Should Still Take Ski Lessons : Goals

And finally, have you ever wanted to really push yourself? If there’s a certain off-piste run you’ve always wanted to do, or you want something more challenging than cruising the pistes but you’re not sure where to start, book a lesson. A morning or afternoon with an instructor will give you a clear view of what you can work towards and how to achieve it. Even if you’re in a new resort and you’re looking for someone to show you the best places to ski, an instructor will show you the best slopes to suit your ability level.

So, there you have it. Ski lessons aren’t just for those just starting out, everyone can benefit from a little tuition or helpful advice every now and again. And it can work wonders.

If you’d like to give your ski technique a bit of a refresh or you’re looking for a new challenge, get in touch with ES. We’re always available to pair you with the perfect instructor and organise your ski lessons to suit your needs. We also offer snowboard and telemark lessons so if you want to learn the art of the powder slash or perfect your lunge turns, give us a call!