Chamonix for beginner skiers and snowboarders

Chamonix is often thought of as the perfect ski resort for experienced skiers with the endless off-piste terrain, attracting expert skiers from around the globe. Hosting world championships in alpine sport brings Chamonix to the forefront in the world of elite skiing. With this in mind, you would be forgiven for thinking Chamonix was not suitable for beginners, but you couldn't be more wrong.

Beginner Ski and Snowboard Areas In Chamonix

There are five main beginner areas with nursery slopes in Chamonix that are suitable for complete beginners. All of which are used by the local Chamonix ski and snowboard schools for their groups and private lessons.

1 & 2. The Savoy & Les Plannards

The Savoy and Les Plannards areas are well suited for children in the centre of town at 1,000m. The Savoy being particularly well located due to its location at the base of the Brevent lift, and on the sunny side of the mountain. Savoy is right in the centre of Chamonix with easy access to higher slopes. Les Plannards offers five slopes ranging from green to red with a variety of lifts including a chair lift. The Savoy offers ungraded beginner slopes with two drag lifts. Both areas have designated areas offering interactive and fun learning with Ecole du Ski Francais for the younger beginners!

3. La Vormaine

La Vormaine is located at the top of the Chamonix Valley in the Le Tour ski area at 1,500m. This is the largest nursery ski area in Chamonix, offering plenty of variety for beginner skiers. With four lifts providing access to two green and one blue slope, as well as a freestyle area. The La Vormaine area is very wide and flat, allowing plenty of space to make progress and build confidence.

4. Les Chosalets

Les Chosalets is located in the Grand Montets ski area at 1252m. Offering two drag lifts with access to two very different slopes. One is very short and flat with its own drag lift. The adjacent slope is much longer and wider, also with its own drag lift. It is a little steeper at the top, making it a perfect progressive slope to step your skills up a level.

5. Le Tourchat

Les Tourchat is located at the bottom end of the Chamonix Valley in Les Houches at 1,000m. There are two drag lifts that offer access to a gently rolling snowfield.

At the Lac Chavants in Les Houches (near the Prarion lift station), there is also a special nursery slope set up for children's beginner lessons. With a low rope drag lift, obstacles and more to make the learning experience a fun one! Perfect for little ones!

Progressing with confidence

After conquering the nursery slopes. Chamonix has six green and thirty blue pistes on offer across all the different ski areas. Allowing you to progress from the nursery slopes to the higher pistes with confidence.

Chamonix - La Vormaine - Le Tour

The Benefits of Taking Lessons

Some people may opt to have a friend or family member teach them to ski. Here are just a few reasons why we think this is not the best option, especially for that all-important confidence.

It is undeniable that if you choose to have a friend or family member teach you to ski, they will pass on their bad habits to you. Your progress will most definitely be slower. Being a good skier or snowboarder does not make you a good teacher and does not give you the tools and the knowledge to teach someone else the fundamentals of skiing safely! You may learn how to get from 'a' to 'b' while you try to keep up with your friends but it will not be stylish, nor will you be learning the correct technique or given the correct tools to continue developing your skiing!

For children, no parent can deny how difficult it can be to get them to listen to even the most simple of instructions. And yet, when they go to school they suddenly become different people altogether. It shouldn't take much convincing to know that ski lessons are absolutely the best way for children to learn how to ski.

Ski lessons are an essential part of skiing safely and also a great way to meet new friends and grow confidence. Snow sports are high-risk activities and the mountain environment can be pretty intimidating. Putting your trust in a ski instructor to give you the tools to navigate the mountain environment makes the experience safe for everyone on the mountain.

Private vs Group Lessons

Ski lessons are typically sold as either group or private lessons. Group lessons accommodate six to nine students per class, they are less expensive than private lessons but offer a less personal service and your progression can be slower. Private lessons offer more personalised attention and allow you to learn at your own pace without having to wait for other members, or feel like your holding up a group lesson.

Private lessons may appear to be cost-prohibitive and a luxury reserved for the wealthy or famous. However they do not have to be one on one, a group of up to four can take one private instructor. By dividing the costs you will have a better experience for the same price as group lessons, but skiing with friends, or people you know making those wobbles and falls a little more fun!

Group lessons are great for kids, making new friends and having fun while learning is surely the best way to start them on their ski journey!

Ski Schools in Chamonix

Group Lessons with Ecole de Ski France (ESF)

The ESF Chamonix team includes 200 professional instructors who are ready to introduce you to the fabulous world of skiing and snowboarding this winter! Lessons are conducted by experienced and qualified ESF instructors. Gradual and technical progression is achieved through customised teaching.

Adult Group Lessons:

Mornings from 09:15 to 11:45, afternoons from 14:00-16:30/17:00, midday from 12:00-14:00

1 lesson - €38, 6 mornings or 6 afternoons €165, 6 midday lessons €132

Snowboard lessons: The location of adult snowboarding lessons will be decided day by day, the meeting point will be confirmed on booking and transport provided to the slopes. Lessons finish on the slopes. Groups of 8-10 students.

Four hours from 09:00 - 13:00 Monday to Friday and 12:30-16:30 on Sundays.

1 lesson - €62, 5 lessons - €185, 6 lessons - €205

Children's beginner lessons:

Whether your child is a beginner or expert, the team at ESF Chamonix will guide them through each level with a specific and precise program that prepares them to pass a test at the end of the week.

Piou-Piou club for 3-4 years old

ESF's Chamonix instructors guide children through the correct steps for a gradual progression. Offering high-quality instruction, in a welcoming and friendly atmosphere. Learning through the characters and stories of the snow garden, they learn to take those first glides, turns and stops.

Piou-Piou lessons are run from the Savoy or Les Plannards nursery slopes for groups of 6 students to one instructor for 2.5-hour lessons.

Morning 09:15-11:45, Afternoons 14:00-16:30 or 14:30 - 17:00 (depending on dates)

6 lessons morning or afternoon - €207, single lessons are available on request according to availability. ESF also offers a number of options to include lunch and daycare.

For details on group lessons available for children of all ages please visit our Chamonix Visitors Guide HERE or for more details you can visit their website or contact us on enquiries@amazoncreek.com

Private Lessons

Chamonix Experience which is run by Sebastien Rougegré, who is a UIAGM mountain guide, ski guide and a qualified ski instructor in France. With him, and team, you can progress at your own pace and enjoy the flexibility of a bespoke lesson plan. Children from 8 years welcome. Lift pass and equipment not included. Groups from 1 – 6 people.

Half Day (08h30 – 12h30): €240 per private Instructor
Full Day (08h30 – 16h30): €395 per private Instructor

Fay Mackman Instruction

Fay is a certified Alpine enthusiast. With qualifications across the board for outdoor activities, teaching others how to enjoy the mountains for over 12 years.

Half Day: €195 

Full Day: €375

Rachel Kerr Ski Instruction

Rachel is a fully certified BASI level 4 ISTD Ski Instructor with French equivalence. For Rachel teaching is her dream job and she makes it fun for all involved.

Half Day: €195

Full Day: €375

Beginner ski hire

Pre-booking your ski hire in advance allows the hire shop to prepare for your arrival making for a quick, easy process. A key thing you should consider when booking your equipment is how close your accommodation is to the ski hire shop, or to the foot of the pistes for when lessons have finished. When booking a luxury ski vacation with Amazon Creek this, however, is not a problem, as your chalet driver will be on hand to take to and from your ski fitting and to return your equipment at the end of your stay. When hiring equipment as a beginner we suggest you take the recommendations of the experts, the staff in the ski hire shop will be able to provide you with the best ski's for your height, weight and level.

Beginner skis are short and flexible making it easy to turn on, whereas if you're snowboarding you'll have a shorter stiffer snowboard that's easier to control. You won't need to know about the technical aspects of any of the equipment as ski hire shops will advise you to get the best model for your ability and size once you've booked.

Take a look at our trusted partner Concept Pro's website here to discover all the ski hire options on offer. Amazon Creek guests receive a 10% discount - to ensure you take advantage of allowing Amazon Creeks concierge service to arrange all your ski hire needs! 

So that's pretty much all the information you need on Chamonix as a beginner skier, but why not also take a look at this article for the Ultimate Guide to Beginner Skiing >>> With everything from the key ski 'lingo' to understanding the slopes and much more!