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Frequently asked questions
Is the ski pass included in the course fee?
No, the ski pass is not included in the course fee and is required to access the ski lifts. Please make sure you have one before your lessons begin.
We recommend taking out Snowrisk-style insurance, which is available at the ski lift ticket offices.
More information is available on our dedicated ‘Get insured’ page.
Is equipment included in the course fee?
No, you must bring your own equipment to your lessons.
If you need to hire equipment, please contact one of the resort’s sports shops.
How can I know my own level or my child’s?
Not sure which level is right for you or your child? Take a look at our ‘What's my level?’ page.
Our instructors will then confirm your child’s level on the first day of lessons.
In which languages are group lessons available?
Group lessons are available in French and English.
Do I need to inform you if my child has a medical condition, disability or special needs?
Yes, please let us know via the contact form of about any medical conditions, disabilities, mobility issues, learning difficulties or other special needs, so we can arrange appropriate support for your child.
How do I book group lessons, and until when can I do so?
We strongly advise booking your group classes in advance.
Online booking is available up to 3 days before the start of the lessons, subject to availability.
For any last-minute enquiries, please visit one of our esfoffices in person.
Please note that bookings cannot be made by phone.
What should I do if I can’t find any available classes?
Please contact us via the contact form as soon as possible so that we can work together to find a solution.
We strongly advise against booking a higher or lower level, as we will not be able to accommodate your child.
Is a meal included in the esf Avoriaz lessons?
esf Avoriaz does not provide provide a meal.
For packages including a meal and/or activities, please book via thee Children's Village.
I made a mistake regarding the level, dates or timings of the lessons when I booked. What should I do?
We invite you to make a new booking on our website as soon as possible to secure your place. You can then send us confirmation of this new booking, along with your request to cancel and receive a refund for the original booking made in error.
I made a mistake when I booked and would now like to enrol my child at the Chidlren's Village. How do I go about this?
If you would like to book at the Children's Village, please do so directly via their website:Children's Village.
If you have already booked lessons with the esf Avoriaz, you can send us a cancellation request by email, along with proof of your booking with Village des Enfants.
Children
Can we attend our little one’s lesson?
We recommend not staying nearby during the lesson, as your child may spot you and become distracted. It is better to ask for a brief update at the end of the session.
My child isn’t yet 4 years old – can they be enrolled in group lessons with esf Avoriaz?
The esf Avoriaz group lessons are open to children aged 4 and over.
For younger children (under 4 years old), there are several options available:
private lessons for very young children, from 2½ years old (1 hour per day);
packages at the Children's Village, which welcomes children aged 3 and over, with or without meals and activities;
for children under 3, childcare is available at the Avrizou nursery.
Snowboard
My child isn’t yet 13 and would like to take group snowboarding lessons. Is that possible?
esf Avoriaz offers group snowboarding lessons for children aged 13 and from.
For children aged 8 to 12, you can book via the Children's Village, where lessons are also run by esf Avoriaz instructors.
Competition and timed events
What is the difference between the Competition lessons and the Competition course?
Competition lessons are:
available throughout the season
open from Étoile d’Or level
an introduction to ski racing
focused on progression in a racing environment
The Competition course is:
available during school holidays only
for participants who have already taken Competition lessons
open from age 12 and Flèche d’Argent level
more intensive sessions designed to improve performance in competition
It is led by specialist Competition instructors, including coaches, “Chamois” course openers, Moniteur Challenge finalists, and former high-level athletes.
What equipment should I bring for the Competition course?
Please bring the following equipment:
A helmet is compulsory.
A back protector is strongly recommended.
A pair of giant slalom skis.
A pair of slalom skis (optional, if you already own a pair).
Protective equipment for poles, shins, etc. is optional.
Can I enrol my child on the Competition course if they haven’t earned the Flèche d'Argent?
Please note: esf Avoriaz reserves the right to refuse any student who does not have the required ‘Flèche d’Argent’ level.
What are OPEN points?
Open Points, introduced by the French Ski Federation, are a national ranking system that objectively assesses skiers’ performance across a range of competitions.
Open Points are awarded to skiers based on their results in official races.
Each event awards a set number of points, determined by the difficulty of the course and the level of the competitors.
Open Points make it possible to track athletes’ progress, compare them at a national level, and establish national skier rankings.
Where can I view the results of the timed races?
The results are on display:
in the display windows of our ESF offices (Place Jean Vuarnet and Cap Neige)
What if the minimum number of participants isn’t reached?
If the minimum number of participants (4 participants) is not reached, the course may be postponed or cancelled.
Should this happen, we will contact you the day before the course starts to offer an alternative solution or, where applicable, cancel your booking for these lessons and issue a full refund for them.
Adults
What sort of skier can benefit from the You Can Ski offer?
You Can Ski group lessons are intended exclusively for adult complete beginners who have NEVER skied before.
If a booking is made in error for a participant with a more advanced skiing level, the You Can SKi package cannot be cancelled or refunded.
How do I book the ‘You Can Ski’ package, and by when?
The You Can Ski package is available in the afternoons only, outside the school holidays.
It can only be booked online as a 3-day or 6-day package.
Bookings cannot be made by phone.
Online bookings close 10 days before your arrival date
How does the You Can Ski offer work?
Book your 3-day or 6-day You Can Ski package online.
When you arrive at the resort, please collect your lesson card from the esf Avoriaz office at Place Jean Vuarnet.
We’ll give you your 3-day or 6-day ski pass (your pass is valid for the whole day),
as well as avoucher to collect your equipment from a shop in the resort. All shops in the Portes du Soleil are able to provide beginner’s equipment on presentation of the voucher.
PLEASE NOTE: You do not need to book equipment in advance. (Do not add any equipment to your cart when booking this package).
Snowshoeing
Can I join a snowshoe walk with my child?
Yes. Snowshoe walks are suitable for children aged 12 and over, provided they are confident walkers and wear at least a size 2½ shoe.
What if the minimum number of participants isn’t reached?
Our snowshoe walks are organised for groups of 4 or more participants.
PLEASE NOTE: Bookings are confirmed once a minimum of 4 participants is reached.
If this minimum is not reached, the outing may be postponed or cancelled. An alternative may be offered.
Cross-country skiing
What is the difference between classic and skating?
There are two techniques in cross-country skiing:
Classic technique: This is practised on pre-groomed parallel tracks. The movement, similar to walking, involves gliding forward by alternating steps. Natural and accessible, it is the simplest way to get started, ideal for children and beginners alike.
Skating: This is practised on groomed tracks without set tracks. The skis form a ‘V’ shape and the movement is similar to ice skating. More dynamic and physically demanding, it requires greater balance, coordination and control. It is better suited to experienced skiers or those in good physical condition.
What if the minimum number of participants isn’t reached?
Our group cross-country skiing lessons are organised for groups of 4 or more participants.
PLEASE NOTE: Bookings are confirmed once a minimum of 4 participants is reached.
If this minimum is not reached, the session may be postponed or cancelled. An alternative may be offered.
Private lessons
If the lesson request form does not appear (or keeps loading indefinitely)...
First of all, please check that you have selected a date for your stay at the top of the page.
You can apply online for private lessons:
- During French school holidays: up to 14 days before the course start date.
- Outside school holidays: up to 4 days before the start date of the lessons.
Once this deadline has passed, the form for booking private lessons will not appear.
The online booking form will also not appear if we are no longer able to accept advance bookings due to full online availability.
In this case, please visit one of our offices on arrival at the resort to check availability at the desk
We take bookings in advance for a minimum of 5 consecutive days during school holidays.
For stays of less than 5 days, you can book your private ski lessons directly at our offices upon arrival, subject to availability.
Our private lessons available for advance booking start on Sundays or Mondays during French school holidays.
You will not be able to book your private ski lessons if you select a start date other than Sunday or Monday.
For a different start date, you can check our availability directly at our offices upon your arrival.
Would you like a specific instructor with whom you’ve taken lessons in previous years?
You can specify the instructor’s name in the comments box that appears at the end of the private lesson booking process.
We will then check availability and send you a quote, allowing you to pay for your private ski lesson online.
To book OFF-PISTE SKIING or SKI TOURING...
Please visit the dedicated ‘Ski touring’ and ‘Off-piste’ pages, where you’ll find useful information about these disciplines.
You can, of course, fill in the enquiry form for private lessons above:
You will be asked to select a minimum of 5 days of lessons, but you may specify in the comments section if you would prefer just one day or half a day, for example.
For Off-Piste and Ski Touring, lesson duration will depend on the participants’ profile, the proposed location (based on ability), weather conditions, and logistical arrangements at the time of the lesson.
To book SKI HANDISKI...
Please visit the dedicated page, where you will find useful information about this course.
You will need to fill in a contact form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
To ensure we can offer you a course that best suits your profile, please provide as much detail as possible in your enquiry. This enables us to brief the instructor so that they can make the necessary arrangements to ensure the course runs smoothly.
If you haven’t heard back from us yet...
Requests for private ski lessons are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Currently, the response time is 7 working days.
From October to December, due to high demand, it may take up to 2 weeks to respond to your enquiry.
We kindly ask you not to overload our phone lines or send follow-up emails, as this may slow down response times for everyone.
Handiski
Do I need to buy a ski pass for my Handiski course?
Yes, you will need a ski pass to take part in the esf Avoriaz adaptive skiing course.
The Avoriaz ski pass should be sufficient for this activity.
For more information, please visit the dedicated ‘Get a ski' pass page.
Who are Handiski private lessons aimed at?
Handiski private lessons are designed for people with disabilities:
intellectual disabilities (such as autism and Down’s syndrome)
visual impairments (blindness or partial sight)
physical disabilities (permanent or temporary)
These lessons are suitable for both beginners and experienced skiers.
Which type of ski is suitable for which disability?
Instructor-piloted sit-ski (Tandem & Dual) for people with physical disabilities:
The sit-ski is a fantastic way to explore the mountain environment. It provides access to most of the ski area thanks to the expertise of our ski instructors and the ski lifts (with the exception of T-bar lifts).
esf Avoriaz has two types of chair:
Dual ski: Designed for people with lower-limb disabilities, this sit-ski offers semi-independent skiing thanks to two articulated outriggers and provides a high-quality glide.
Tandem Ski : This allows people with disabilities, including those with severe disabilities, to enjoy winter sports in complete safety on the slopes. The instructor (the pilot) steers the chair, while the passenger sits in a seat mounted on two skis. This equipment enables users to explore a wide area of the resort while experiencing skiing in the same way as a skier.
Standing skiing for people with visual impairments:
Skiing for people with visual impairments is possible thanks to voice guidance. High-visibility vests must be worn by both the skier and their guide.
Is it possible to hire a ski chair?
No, we do not offer ski chairs for hire.
SEASONAL GROUPS
How does pre-registration work?
➜ Option 1 – Pre-registration with payment of a deposit per participant
All pre-registrations require at least one deposit per participant.
This option can be selected directly when submitting your registration request.
Important: The balance must be paid on the first day of the course at the esf Avoriaz office. (You may leave two cheques, which will be cashed in January and February)
Please note: If the full course fee has not been paid by the first day of the course, your booking will be cancelled.
➜ Option 2 – Pre-registration with full payment
You have the option to pay the full enrolment fee immediately when you submit your pre-registration application.
PLEASE NOTE: Each pre-registration will be reviewed and subject to approval by the relevant managers.
Does my child need to attend from the very first sessions and follow the esf Club timetable?
Yes. By enrolling your child, you agree to follow the timetables, the dates set out in the schedule, and the decisions of the esf Club instructors.
Attendance at the first sessions of the season is essential in order to form groups of similar ability.
The timetable cannot be adjusted to accommodate individual circumstances.
Is the ski pass included in the Avo Team Rider season package?
No, the ski pass is not included in the price of the seasonal lessons.
Please ensure you have the right ski pass for your child’s level:
Avoriaz ski pass for Piou-Piou (Beginner) to 1ère Étoile levels .
Portes du Soleil ski pass from 2ème Étoile upwards. (compulsory)
Is the ski pass included in the esf Club season package?
No, the ski pass is not included in the price of the seasonal lessons.
The Portes du Soleil ski pass is compulsory.
Children aged 15 who have left Saint-Jean-d’Aulps secondary school (and are therefore no longer eligible for the discounted ‘PDS’ ski pass) may only purchase the ‘Avoriaz’ ski pass.
Is the ski pass included in the esf Snowboard Club season package?
No, the ski pass is not included in the price of the seasonal lessons.
The Avoriaz ski pass is required.
Is the ski pass included in the esf Club season package for parents?
No, the ski pass is not included in the price of the seasonal lessons.
The Portes du Soleil ski pass is compulsory.
Is the esf Club licence compulsory?
The esf Club licence is strongly recommended (optional) to get insured in the event of an accident.
It can be purchased from the Morzine-Avoriaz Ski Club.
Is the Competition level the only one available for the esf Club? Is that normal?
Yes, the ‘Competition’ level must be selected by default when registering.
What if the minimum number of participants is not reached?
The esf Snowboard and Freestyle seasonal clubs and the esf Parents’ Club will not be able to go ahead if the minimum of six participants for the season is not reached.
Should I enrol my child in the Avo Team Riders or the esf Club if they already have their Étoile d'Or?
Children born before 2019 who have already earned the Étoile d'Or will join the esf Club.
Children born in 2019 or later will join the Avo Team Riders seasonal group .