Chillchalet accommodation in the French Alps

Advice for those who are new to the snow

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Home > Skiing and Snowboarding > Lessons and advice for novice skiers and snowboarders

Ski and Snowboard Lessons in Les Arcs

If you are staying in our Les Arcs chalet you can have lessons with The Ecole de Ski in Arc 1600. The school is a short walk from the top of the funicular lift and the teachers are very experienced and all speak good English. We will ask you for details of your requirements when you book, or you can book them directly through the ESF website.

Ski and Snowboard Lessons in La Plagne

If you are staying in our La Plagne chalet it's best to have lessons with Evolution 2 school which is a short walk from the chalet. We will take details of your requirements when you book, or you can book lessons directly on the Evolution 2 website.

Prices vary, but lessons generally cost around 140 Euros for 3 hours of group lessons a day, or 30 Euros an hour for a private teacher.

Advice on equipment for beginners

The mistake some people make is buying gear that is above their ability level because they think that it will make them better, quicker, or that somehow it will last longer. True, an intermediate board may well suit you in a few years, but it will be a rough ride getting there, so get the equipment that is best suited to your ability. It will make your experience more fun.

Whether you are going to rent your skis or snowboard or buy your own, make the effort to go to a reputable shop. They will have staff who know what they are talking about, and a wide range of brands, so you can pick and choose the kit that best suits your size and weight. Go on your own, be honest, (if you weigh 14 stone and tell them you are nine, they will know) and be prepared to listen to the shop staff. Most people who work in ski and snowboard shops are passionate about the mountains and want you to have the best time possible, with the kit that is correct for you, so that you'll have a fantastic time and return to their shop for future purchases.

You will need a water resistant outfit. Water resistant (not water proof) so that whilst keeping all but the wettest spring slush out, the fabric will also 'breathe', getting rid of excess body heat. The sunshine, along with the heat your body produces, can make you very hot and sweaty and if you find yourself on a long chairlift or the sun dips behind a peak, your temperature can drop very rapidly, ruining even the best day.

Although ergonomically designed socks may seem to be an expensive or unnecessary luxury, it is worth the outlay, because they are specifically shaped not to rub in your boots. Remember your feet will have to be trussed up in boots for 8-9 hours at a time. Be nice to them. If you have comfortable feet, you will enjoy the mountains more, so when being fitted for boots, whether buying or renting, choose a shop with a wide range of brands, models and sizes and take your time to try lots on until you are absolutely happy and comfortable. If they offer a heat moulding service, take it, it will reduce the 'breaking in' time, again, making your experience more pleasurable.

Before my first sojourn to the mountains I expected deep snow in the town and arctic conditions on the mountain so bought stacks of jumpers and woolly things but hardly wore any of them. Although first thing in the morning, before the sun has cleared the peaks, you may want to be wearing three jumpers, by 10 am you will be sweating like a trooper, so thin cotton layers are best. It is always worth investing in some decent 'moisture wicking' thermals which will cool you down if you are too hot, but will keep you toasty when it gets cold. Similarly, in the evenings you will probably be spending most of your time in your chalet or apartment, or in bars and restaurants, so you won't need loads of big heavy clothing. A couple of hoodies, jeans and some sturdy footwear should see you through.

Advice on lessons for beginners

Lessons with a qualified teacher are a good investment. Don't think you can just throw yourself around and pick it up as you go along. It will take much longer to feel confident and you will pick up loads of bad habits that are hard to break. It is the same with learning from friends. While it can be fun, just because they can get around doesn't mean they'll make a good teacher. Even just one hour with someone who knows how to teach will make weeks worth of difference in the long run.

We can introduce you some reputable teachers who can give you the theory and some basic exercises, so you will feel in control from the beginning. Then when you spend time by yourself falling over, at least you will know what you are doing wrong, and at the very least will learn how to fall without hurting yourself.

Once the method has been broken down for you it doesn't seem so daunting. Tricks and all the flashy stuff will become just another stage in the process, which you can attempt when you are ready. One of the great things about skiing and snowboarding is that you never stop learning.

If you live near an indoor snow slope or a slope covered with Snowflex, it could be worth having a few lessons to get you on your feet so that once in resort you'll be able to get around and see more of the mountain. However, if the only slope near you is covered with Dendex () then wait until you come back armed with your new skills before giving it a go. The surface is quite unforgiving and you don't want to go hurting yourself before your holiday.

Information about the mountain for novice skiers and snowboarders

Pistes or 'runs' are areas of the mountain which have been tidied and groomed to make them safe. They are accessed by chair lifts, drag lifts or cable cars. You can travel across the mountain using these linked runs, which are all signposted and marked on piste maps. They are colour coded to give an idea of how steep they are. Blue are the flattest, then red, then black.

If you are learning to snowboard forget what you may have heard about black runs being the hardest, this only applies to skiers. For snowboarders it is the other way around. While a skier can easily potter along on a gentle gradient, on a snowboard you need to have some speed behind you in order to move at all. It is very frustrating to grind to a halt on the flat and to have to un-strap your feet from your bindings and walk. What you really need as a beginner on a snowboard is to make friends with a skier, they are very handy for towing you along when it is flat.

New skiers should stick to the blue runs to start with, and try to avoid moguls. These are large bumps created as skiers turn which can be hell to navigate when you are new. There are areas called 'nursery slopes' which are the best place to head to at first. They are a perfect gradient for beginners and are populated by other people learning so you will feel at home.

Don't be nervous. Everyone else on the mountain remembers what it was like to be a novice, and will often give you a helping tow on their way past on a path, or help you up if you fall over. On my second day of learning I was lying, in the position I had fallen, half way down a nursery slope thinking I was never going to make it to the bottom, and a couple of people started shouting "come on, you can do it" type encouragement from the nearest lift, which really cheered me up.

Once you can get down a nursery slope, and feel ready to take on a longer run, it is good to find and nice wide one so you have space to practice your turning without getting in other peoples way. The rules of the mountain state that if you are further down hill you have right of way. However if you end up completely blocking the path making hard for those behind you to overtake, you'll find yourself getting some dirty looks. It is also safer to stick to one side, because someone whizzing close by at speed is very off putting and can throw you off balance.

Another tip to start with, is that if the weather is bad, stick to slopes that snake through the trees. "Flat light", if you have never heard the expression, is when there is thick cloud or it's snowing and it becomes impossible to tell the ground from the sky. It can be really disorientating because you lose the ability to judge both your speed and the gradient of the slope. So head for the trees because they will cast slight shadows, helping you make out all the lumps and bumps. If it happens on a run where there are no trees, just take it slowly and follow the line of the poles that mark the side of the piste. You will be at the edge where it is usually less moguled or icy, and you will always come to a lift if you follow piste poles.

Information about going off piste

Off piste just means the areas outside the pistes which are not groomed and flattened by the resort. If you are just starting out you must be very careful of heading too far into this kind of snow because when it is fresh and deep, it can be really hard work. You have to learn a different technique to keep the nose of your snowboard or skis above the snow, and if you fall it can take ages to heave yourself to your feet again. On a 'powder day', when there has been loads of snow the night before, you could try riding just outside the piste poles, where the snow won't have been flattened by the 'piste-bashers', to get used to the different technique.

If you are going to try a longer run, make sure that the people you are with are experienced and will wait for you if you fall. They also need to be prepared to dig you out of the snow if you just cannot get up. This only applies to the areas that you can see from the piste. If you are a beginner you shouldn't even contemplate doing runs that are outside the controlled ski area. Even experienced riders can get caught out, and it's not worth the risk.

The mountains are an incredible environment to visit and the thrills of skiing and snowboarding are unparalleled. We hope this advice has encouraged you to come and get involved.

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