3-year olds

Please note that the ski school prices given below are for 2012-13. We will update this page with 2013-14 prices as we get them.

Whilst 2-year olds can't do much more than slide around a little on the nursery slopes, their 4-year old brothers and sisters can join ski school classes. In between are 3-year olds, who can sometimes join classes, although we probably wouldn't really recommend it.

The options are:

1) take the child to the ESF for a two-hour test lesson from 10.30-12.30 or a three-hour test lesson, 9.30-12.30 or 14.00-17.00. If the instructor thinks the child is up to it, he or she will be accepted into their super children's gardens, or Jardins des Neiges, which they advertise as being for 4-5 yera olds. The ESF has one on the nursery slopes, and another at La Daille, but classes can go up to 6 children per instructor, or 8 during French school holidays. The prices are listed on the ESF page on this website, but, you can spend up to €21 per hour for an eighth of an instructor. Private lessons on the other hand, which cost between €30 and €70 per hour, depending upon time, date and demand, sound like a better investment. Lunchtime is the cheapest time, and best for the child...

2) Oxygène offers 90-minute lessons for a maximum of three 3-year olds, 9.00-10.30 or 10.30-12.00, Monday-Friday for €335. That comes out to about €45 per hour. For just €50 per hour they can give private one or two-hour lessons, normally over lunchtime (the ideal time because the slopes are emptier) or in the afternoon.

3) Evolution2 don't accept 3-year olds in group lessons, but give private lessons over lunch or in the afternoon for €50 per hour. If you manage to get Valérie or someone like her your child will enjoy his or her holiday as much as you do, and probably end up skiing better than you!

4) take a private lesson with one of the boutique ski schools, where you are very likely to have a British instructor whom the child will probably understand more easily, or a freelance private instructor specialising in teaching children. Mountain Masters, subject of course to availability, offer one or two-hour private lessons, normally in the afternoon, at €60 per hour. Tansy is absolutely brilliant with small children. The Development Centre (tdc) offer three-hour private lessons for €220. Progression recommend booking an instructor between several of you (€235 for three hours) and allowing the child to take as much of the lesson as he or she wants, and New Generation offer two hours for €165. Yann Le Bozec is a one-man ski school who is also brilliant at teaching children. An hour's private lesson at lunchtime costs €43.

Near our chalets Juniper, Jasmine and Jacaranda is Le Petit Poucet (0033 479 06 13 97, www.garderielepetitpoucet.com), a nursery which takes children from 3 years. The cost is around €51 for a day and €43 for half a day (including meals). It will transport children to and from ski school lessons, but you pay for the nursery while your child is at ski school as well as for the actual lessons. It has to be pre-booked, with a certificate from your GP to say that the child is in good health.

YSE child discount: 

Children aged 2-12: £50 off per week in standard beds.