There are many excellent, independent ski instructors operating in Méribel & Courchevel, most used to work for one of the bigger schools, but now prefer to manage their own client base. Here is a list of a few of our favourites, with contact details.

Tel: +44 (0)844 811 2779 (UK) +33 (0)4 79 00 32 21 (France)

Email: info@parallel-lines.com
Website: Click here.

Parallel Lines is one of the larger, independent snow sports schools in Meribel. They have been operating in the Meribel Valley for over 20 years, and offer an extensive program of ski and snowboard lessons, on and off piste guiding, private lessons and instructor training.

Based in Meribel and run by people who know the area inside out, they have, over the past 20+ years, built a great team of fully qualified and mostly (c.80%) native English speaking instructors, selecting those with the experience, personality and passion for the mountain that guarantees consistently great lessons.

They are now offering online booking (see details below), ensuring you can check prices, availability and book lessons securely, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Their meeting point is at the left hand side of the entrance to the Rhodos bubble at the Chaudanne area.

For full details of lessons with Parallel Lines, including 2023-2024 prices, click here.

Tel: +33 (0)4 79 08 53 36 (France)
Email: meribel@oxygene.ski
Website: Click Here

The meeting point for lessons in Méribel is next to the bottom of the Rhodos lift.

Highly recommended, Oxygène Ski School offer a very personal service. They specialise in group ski lessons taught in English as well as private tuition for both adults and children. They are renowned for their superb children's lessons with innovative activities to help kids get the most out of their time on the slopes; Magic Fun factory also includes a full day of skiing with lunch on Friday.

Beginners are particularly well catered for in the "Magic Garden", a fun enclosed area with special equipment, exclusive to Oxygène. Groups are kept small for a more personal approach.

Oxygène instructors are also available for adult groups, private lessons and snowboarding.

For full details of lessons with Oxygène, including 2021-2022 prices, click here.

Tel/Fax: + 33 (0)4 79 01 03 18 (France)
Tel: + 44 (0)1462 674000 (UK)
Email: info@skinewgen.com
Website: Click Here

New Generation is an independent ski school that's been running for over 20 years, that we have worked with very successfully for several seasons.

They have 11 instructors based in Méribel (another c.20 based in Courchevel); all are selected based on their excellent coaching skills, most are British – but all speak very good English (so can make analogies and explanations that you can more easily understand, encourage questions and discussion to help you progress faster and hopefully have more fun). Their focus is on “coaching” rather than “instruction”. Their instructors base lessons on the key principles of all learning – a combination of doing, watching, thinking, listening and feeling. All their instructors hold the BASI International Ski Teacher Diploma, membership of the International Ski Instructors Association and full entitlement to teach in France.

They run group and private lessons for skiers and snowboarders of all ages and abilities. They also offer clinics for higher level skiers and boarders who want to develop technique or get off a plateau.

Their meeting point is on the far side of the bottom of the Tougnète 1 bubble on the Chaudanne, to the right of the entrance to the lift pass office.

For full details of lessons with New Generation, including 2021-2022 prices, click here.

For ski tips by New Generation, go to this link.

Tel: +33 (0)7 71 85 62 79 (France)
Email:info@skimarmalade.com
Website: Click Here

Marmalade has a team of 10 great young (ish!), fully qualified, ski instructors and off piste guides. 7 are from the UK, 1 from France and 2 from Italy, but have been teaching in Meribel for 5+ years so speak English well. All have been working in Meribel for many years. Probably the “coolest” of the ski schools, they have – in our view – a more relaxed approach to teaching and definitely know how to enjoy themselves on the mountain. Read the biographies of the instructors on their website and you'll get an idea of what we mean! Guest feedback about them has been great.

Offering mainly private lessons and off-piste guiding please click here for prices. For group lessons please contact them directly.

Tel: +33 (0)4 79 08 60 31 (Méribel) or +33 (0)4 79 00 49 49 (Mottaret)
Fax: +33 (0)4 79 08 60 80 (Méribel) or +33 (0)4 79 08 54 45 (Mottaret)
Website: Click Here

The ESF is the biggest ski lesson operator in Méribel, offering group and private ski, snowboarding and cross country lessons, among others. They have some 400 alpine and 10 cross country ski instructors.

Our past experience of group lessons offered by the ESF in both Méribel and Mottaret has not been great (issues mainly with language and/or excessively large group sizes – especially at peak periods). However they have some excellent private instructors and guides and we would recommend them for private lessons. If you wish to book group lessons with the ESF please book direct (click here); we are happy to help book private instructors.

The ESF also operates a creche for children aged 18 months to 3 years (Les Saturnins – Méribel only) and a kindergarten (Club Piou Piou) for children aged 3 years to 5 years. Here, the children can play and try skiing for the first time in the large, enclosed snow field with inflatable figures, snowmen and a ski tow, or play and rest indoors in the air-conditioned “chalet” complete with toys, books, videos and a rest area. Proof of age required for both.

For full details of lessons and 2021-2022 prices for private lessons with the ESF, click here.

Tel: +33 (0)7 68 46 39 11 (France)
Email: info@cab9snowboarding.com
Website: Click Here

Cab9 Snowboarding is a team of snowboard instructors which has been operating since 2006.

As the only officially recognised, dedicated snowboard school in the 3 Valleys, Cab9 has built a great reputation over the last 15 years as the people to come to for snowboard lessons. Their team are all highly experienced snowboarders, who live and breathe the sport. In contrast to much of the snowboard instruction available in France, the instructors are dedicated snowboarders, rather than ski instructors who teach snowboarding. They offer lessons for all abilities, from complete beginners to expert riders. They are able to teach to a very high standard – they are qualified to guide clients off-piste, and are also trained to teach freestyle in the park and pipe.

They offer 5 day group lessons, expert sessions. private lessons and freestyle group sessions.

All lessons meet at the bottom of the RHODOS lift in Méribel.

For full details of lessons with Cab9, including 2021-2022 prices, click here.

Tel: +44 (0)1316 080857 (UK)
Email: info@sweetsnowsports.com
Website: Click Here

Sweet Snowsports was founded in 2009 with the aim of providing a fun, friendly and flexible approach to snowsports instruction.

Their team of 6 instructors are all native-English speaking, fully qualified and hold the prestigious "French Equivalence". They promise to listen to what you want, using the benefit of their combined 115+ years experience to provide top class service throughout the whole experience.

Mainly specialising in private coaching to individuals or small groups (please click here for prices), during school holidays (or when there is demand) they also offer children's group lessons with an industry-leading ratio of 6 children per group.

Sweet Snowsports operate across Meribel, La Tania and Courchevel, their instructors know the ski area/infrastructure very well and will be able to identify terrain suitable for your ability and guide you around the vast, world renowned ski area with this in mind.

We have started working with Sweet Snowsports relatively recently (though we know some of the instructors personally) and so do not have much feedback from our clients about them, however there is lots of amazing feedback from past clients at Feefo.com

Tel: +44 (0)7092 206 321 (UK)or +33 (0)6 19 77 85 57 (France - December to April)
Email: 3valleys@britishskischool.com
Website: Click Here

Craig Conkie has been in Méribel since 2000, and part of an association called BASS, the British Alpine Ski School since 2008. Craig heads a small all British team of inspirational ski coaches who will be available throughout the season, with other British instructors joining them for busy periods.

All BASS instructors have the BASI Level 4 ISTD and also have completed their Eurotest (with French equivalence), making them among the highest qualified British instructors available anywhere.

They run mainly private lessons in Méribel, but during busy periods offer kids ski groups.

They are flexible in the way they set up lessons, meaning that they can often tailor lessons to suit certain parties. If a group has something particular in mind with regards to their ski lessons, they would try to accommodate their wishes if possible.

For details of private lessons with BASS, including 2021-2022 prices, click here or call them directly.

Tel: +33 (0)4 79 08 60 31 (Méribel) or +33 (0)4 79 00 49 49 (Mottaret)
Fax: +33 (0)4 79 08 60 80 (Méribel) or +33 (0)4 79 08 54 45 (Mottaret)
Email: contact@esf-meribel.com
Website: Click Here

To book in to either nursery, please email Hannah on skilessons@purpleski.com

Les Saturnins Nursery – Méribel only

(in the Ice Rink building at La Chaudanne)

A crèche for children aged 18 months to 3 years, run by the ESF offering indoor and outdoor activities (e.g., reading, handicrafts, singing, sledging, walks, games on the snow).

Proof of age (e.g., passport) is required. You also need to provide nappies, slippers, teddy bear or comforter, a snack, change of clothing, sunglasses and gloves.

Les Piou Piou Kindergarten – Méribel & Mottaret

A kindergarten for children aged 3 years to 5 years, run by the ESF. Here, the children can play and try skiing for the first time in the large, enclosed snow field with inflatable figures, snowmen and a ski tow, or play and rest indoors in the air-conditioned “chalet” complete with toys, books, videos and a rest area. Male and female instructors supervise, encourage and instruct the little ones in skiing and other games on the snow. At the end of their stay children will win their own special “Piou-Piou” Club medal!

Proof of age required.

Not generally recommended for non-French speaking children!

On booking, the ESF usually charges your credit card with the cost of the first day's lesson (per instructor), with the balance charged to your card just before your arrival in Méribel.

However they will refund the full amount charged in the event of cancellation provided they receive 24 hours notice of the cancellation. They will not refund in the event of a “no show”.

 

Bureau des Guides

Web Site
Tel: +33 (0)4 79 00 30 38 or +33 (0)6 23 92 46 12

The Bureau des Guides are the true specialists in off-piste skiing, ski touring and heli-skiing. The guides offer their experience and knowledge of all the best places and hidden spots of the Three Valleys - they know the area better than anyone else - where to find good snow and safe meeting points and are the only ones allowed to take groups or individuals skiing on the glaciers. The guides are in regular radio contact with each other and share information across the ski area every day.

Please note that these high mountain guides are guides, not instructors. They do not teach

You can either join one of their courses (max 6 people per group) - they offer introductory courses for those new to off piste skiing (your standard is assessed and your guide will take you to places within your capability to practise and improve your technique in a fun and safe environment) or take more advanced skiers on longer expeditions to discover untouched snow and unforgettable descents (safety equipment is supplied by the guides). They also do heli-skiing (there are around thirty drop points on the Swiss and Italian borders), ice climbing (in Courchevel), ski touring (starting with an off-piste descent from a ski lift and then fit skins to your skis, which enable you to access a glacier or valley well away from the main resort) and more....

For more information, or to make a booking, please visit their website guides-meribel.com/en/.

The Bureau des Guides offers the following:

Off Piste

If you want to use the ski lifts to reach the untouched areas of the Three Valleys and ride down the finest off-piste routes, if you love linking perfect curves in untouched snowfields, then your high mountain guide is the expert companion who can bring together safety, discovery and your enjoyment.

Ski Touring and Splitboard

From the ski lifts of the Three Valleys you can reach the vastness of the snow covered alpine pastures and glaciers in the Vanoise National Park amidst breath-taking surroundings. By using "touring skis" or a "splitboard", with moderate and ergonomic effort in the footsteps of your high mountain guide, you will be completely free to enjoy limitess skiing where the snow is at its best.

Heli-skiing

Heli-skiing offers a wonderful way to enjoy the fresh snow. From the Altiport, take a short (c. 15 minutes) flight and enjoy stunning views to the Italian border and ski back down on virgin slopes with your mountain guide. An unforgettable day.

Discovery Day

Learn about the history and formation of the Three Valleys - you will go on and off piste with your guide and see things that you have never seen before...

Please note:

• ID required for proof of age.
• Under 5's go free.
• Veteran passes (75 and over) are point of sale purchase only (proof of age will be required)
• Discounted rates for early and end of season skiing.
• The 4 Hours pass can start at any point in the day.

Please note:

• ID required for proof of age.
• Under 5's go free.
• Veteran passes (75 and over) are point of sale purchase only (proof of age will be required)
• Discounted rates for early and end of season skiing
• The 3 Hours pass can start at any point in the day.

Please note:

• ID required for proof of age.
• Under 5's & 75+'s go free.
• Discounted rates for early and end of season skiing
• The 3 Hours pass can start at any point in the day.

Skiing is free in the 3 Valleys for those under 5. Proof of age is required. Additionally there are some free beginner lifts in Mottaret and at the Altiport in Méribel, and in each of the main villages of the Courchevel valley.

 

Click Here for a map of all the lifts you can use with a Pedestrian Pass.