Info for Flaine International Ski School is Found at:
www.esi-grandmassif.com/
For a number of years this was the official English / French version for the Ski Ecole International ski school's website.
The International Ski School in France provided a range of ski and snowboard group lessons and private lessons for adults and children. It had its own children's snow garden. Group lessons were three hours a day. Online booking was available.
Content is from the site's 2003 - 2010 archived pages, as well as from other outside sources and more recent updates.
If you have inadvertently ended up on this site while looking for a ski school in Flaine, go to the ESI Grand Massif website at: www.esi-grandmassif.com/
The ESI Grand Massif is a combination of the two ski schools in Flaine and Les Carroz: the Flaine (International Ski School) and Les Carroz (New Dimension), as well as the development of a third ski school site on Mont Saxonnex. Created in 1978 on Flaine and in 1988 on the Carroz, our ski school and our snowboard school are located in the northern Alps between Geneva and Chamonix, in a village resort called Les Carroz d'Araches. This ski area encompasses 260 kms of track that is part of the Grand Massif.
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Immeuble Vega
Flaine Forum
74300 Flaine
Tel: 04 50 90 84 41
Flaine continues to offer a wide choice of ski instruction, with some highly specialised instruction clinics and schools available.
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2020: We had just returned to NYC after a week skiing in the French Alps, specifically in Flaine which is France's 5th largest linked ski area in the country. My wife and I prefer the marked runs, while our two college age kids prefer the exhilaration of freeride or freestyle! The Le Grand Massif ski area is an immense playground for freeriders, but we insist the kids always go with a professional guide. Even then the fact one should carry a shovel/probe/ARVA avalanche receiver, makes me nervous. But my kids say the semicircular Combe de Gers offers great offpiste adventures that are pure bliss.
As I was saying, we had just returned from France when the Covid 19 pandemic hit NYC like a tsunami. Our kids did not return to college but finished their school year taking their classes virtually. My wife set up a work space in our living room to work from home. I have my own office space at home since I am a freelance graphics designer and have always worked from home. It's been 9 months now and with a vaccine finally approved we, like so many folks, are hoping life will return to a more "normal" by the Spring of 2021. The kids are already planning on returning to college in the fall of 2021.
We are very fortunate not being front line health care worker or essential workers that have been out there every day. I'm perfectly content working from home, but the kids are antsy, which I totally understand. Just this week I picked up a new client who wants me to work with a firm they hired who are experts in e-commerce marketing. My new client is an online jeweler that sells cubic zirconia rings (cz rings) and has decided to push their advertising into the social media platforms of Facebook and Pinterest. They have hired me to create the campaigns for their stunningly beautiful products. I am excited to be working with their social media expert who also happens to be one of the company's principals.
Meanwhile, we have no plans to return to Europe for what use to be our annual ski trip in February to Flaine. It will just have to be put on hold till the following year. Hopefully by then the pandemic will be under control, the vaccines successful, and this past year + just a memory. Marsji Wallace
~~~
7 Good Reasons to Ski with the Ski Ecole International!
- A warm welcome, a professional service and individual attention.
- 4 meeting points in Flaine - as close as possible to where you're staying.
- Maximum 9 in a group for all ski and snowboard group lessons - for maximum enjoyment and safety.
- Attentive instructors who can adapt to individual requirements, keep the same instructor all week for continuity and enjoyment.
- Continual evaluation progress during the week.
- Group lessons include end of week tests.
- Our main ambition - help you get the best out of your holiday!
SKI LESSONS
Maximum of 9 in a group. Our group ski lessons take place in the mornings.
2 options for you to choose from:
- 6 Days: from Sunday to Friday, with an opportunity on Wednesday to tour the Grand Massif, with your instructor as your guide. (Dependent on ski ability and snow conditions)
- 5 Days: from Sunday to Friday. With a break on Wednesday.
Adults and children. Ski, snowboard, telemark, snowshoes...
For a personalised approach at your own pace consider private lessons.
Have your own instructor for your family or group - discover new pistes, improve your style, try out something new - like snowboarding or telemarking
Get off the beaten track, try the off-piste equipped with ARVA's - work at what you want!
- 1 h for 1 -2 people.
- 2 h for 1 - 4 or for 5-6. (See conditions)
- Half day from 12.30, or full day.
Sessions of 3 hours each afternoon.
On reservation only and in small groups of up to 9. The weekly programme is available at the office but can include for example;
- Grand Massif discovery - guided by an instructor.
- Off piste - technique and fun in the powder, with ARVA training.
- Carving technique
Plus snowboard tasters, snowshoe walking, telemark instruction...
| Group Lessons - 6 days |
Prices
|
|
Adults / Teenagers |
129€
|
|
Children (from 6 - 12yrs) |
103 €
|
| Children (from 4 - 10yrs) 4 hrs a day (2hrs- am, 2hrs- pm) |
113€
|
| Group Lessons - 5 days
|
|
|
Adultes / Teenagers |
119€
|
| A la carte afternoon
|
|
|
Adults/Teenagers |
23 €
|
| Private Lessons | |
| 1 hour ( 1-2 people) after 12.30 |
33€
|
| 2 hours ( 1 - 4 people) after 12.30 |
66€
|
| 2 hours ( 5 - 6 people) after 12.30 |
82€
|
| 2 hours ( 1 - 4 people) before 12.30 |
82€
|
| Full day |
242€
|
|
|
|
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SNOWBOARD LESSONS
We have some real pros in our team of snowboard instructors - champions in World Cup boardercross and regulars in the top 10 of the annual Verbier Extreme contest. To get the most out of the mountain - be like them - get instruction !
Our group lessons run from Sunday to Friday (afternoons). We have classes for three levels:
- intro: beginners
- intermediate: for those who have already got basic technique
- advanced: freeride, freestyle, for more experienced riders
Private lessons are available with instruction in snowboard, freestyle, halfpipe and boarder cross for both adults and children.
The meeting point is in Flaine Forêt and Flaine Forum.
An afternoon to discover the Flaine Free Ride area with a pro ( each rider is equipped with a life belt bip)
Plus ! Every April we are co-hosts of the Snake Run - Flaine's famous snowboard competition.
| Group Lessons - 6 days |
Prices
|
|
Adults & Teenagers |
129 €
|
|
Children (from 10 to 12 yrs) |
103 €
|
| Private Lessons | |
| 1 hr ( 1-2 people) from 12.30 |
33 €
|
| 2 hrs ( 1 - 4 people) from 12.30 |
66 €
|
| 2 hrs ( 5 - 6 people) from 12.30 |
82 €
|
| Full day |
242 €
|
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SKI SCHOOL FOR KIDS
Childrens' ski school: for children aged 6 - 12 years.
Maximum 9 in a group, supervised by qualified instructors trained in the latest techniques for coaching children.
3 hrs a day for 6 days, Sunday to Friday. Lessons are in the morning.
Fun & Games: from Beginners to Silver. Put on your skis and have fun. Maximum 9 in a group, training is based on games and discovery.
Crazy about Ski: Gold and Competition Classes. Carving, bumps, powder, slalom and boarder cross. Maximum 9 in a group.
Slalom Training: Silver, Gold and Competition Classes.
In addition to their morning lessons, your children can take Slalom Training , 2hrs a day every afternoon, for coaching in slalom and race technique. 3 hrs + 2 hrs = 5 hrs per day.
The little ski school for kids. 2hrs of ski in the morning and 2 hrs in the afternoon. Plus a kindergarten service and the option of lunch. A snack is served after skiing in the afternoon.
Beginners can develop in a supervised and safe area before going into the main ski area of Flaine.
Crash helmets are obligatory. Crash helmets and ski hire are not included in the cost/
Ski School for 3/4 year olds:
Around 1½ to 2hrs each session. First steps for fun at the pace of your child..
Ski School for 5 - 12 year olds:
Maximum 9 in a group. Ski lessons for 4 hours per day, (2hrs morning, 2 hours afternoon)(2 h. le matin et 2 h. l’après-midi) supervised by qualified instructors trained in the latest techniques for coaching children.
| The Green Mouse Club |
Prices
|
|
6 full days with lunch |
227 €
|
|
6 full days without lunch |
176 €
|
|
6 x half-days with lunch: 3/4 yrs |
178 €
|
| 6 x half-days without lunch: 3/4 yrs (morning 09.00 - 12.00 or afternoon 14.00 - 17.00) |
124 €
|
| Private lessons | |
| half hour (for 3-4 yrs) |
17 €
|
| 1 hour (after 12.30) |
33 €
|
| 2 hours (after 12.30) |
66 €
|
| Group lessons - 6 days | |
|
3 hrs a day (from 6 to 12 yrs) |
103 €
|
| 4 heures (from 5 to 10 yrs) 09.30 - 11.30 14.30 - 16.30 |
113 €
|
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OTHER ACTIVITIES
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon - why not try something else. Snow shoe walks available, guided by an instructor, who can show you Flaine and the area as you may never have seen it before. Prices on request, minimum 4 people (includes cost of snow shoe hire)
Or try something completely different - Croq'raquettes !
Every Thursday evening, a great walk wiith snow shoes, with our instructors as your guides, followed by a savoyard meal in an old alpine chalet.
Also available, afternoon walks ( for 3 hours approx ) followed by a sweet or savoury snack.
Prices on request.
During the school holidays, the instructors of the International Ski School with the Tourist Office, invite you to discover the downhill torchlit descent.
For groups, we can organise the torchlit descent with or without dinner.
Day trips - discover more of the Grand Massif, or go further afield to the famous Vallée Blanche of Chamonix, or other resorts, can be organised.
We can also organise your ski and snowboard competitions. Ask us about the options available.
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PRESS RELEASE
Embark On A Snowshoeing Adventure In Flaine
22nd November 2010 | CHRISTINA REBUFFET-BROADUS, REGIONAL EDITOR FRANCE
[R1310R, Flaine] is to host nocturnal snowshoe outings Thursday nights and afternoon treks organised by the Ecole de Ski Internationale du Grand Massif (ESI).
These outings, called Croc'Raquettes, bring together the enjoyment of a walk in the snow and the pleasures of tasting authentic mountain fare. The nocturnal walks include dinner at the Le Bissac Restaurant on the Flaine snow front. This restaurant is housed in a renovated farmstead built of stone and wood, with a fireplace to heat the dining room.
Dinner includes a mixed salad as a starter, typically-Savoyard cheese fondu and a plate of charcuterie, and a dessert, such as blueberry pie.
"A nocturnal trek through the snow adds a mysterious side to the experience, thanks to the light of each participant's head light," an ESI representative told OnTheSnow. The path takes participants up to the Pierre Carré pass, where, at the summit, they can admire a panoramic view of the Arve Valley at sunset.
Participants in the afternoon hikes will be rewarded with a post-trek snack that includes an assortment of cold cuts and local-style pastries. Groups must include at least seven people for the afternoon snack hikes.
Reservations for either outing should be made in advance by contacting the ESI. It is possible to enjoy a trek with an English-speaking guide.
The ESI loans snowshoes and can lend poles, but participants are invited to bring their own poles if they have them and must bring their own boots. Nocturnal hikes with the meal costs €37 per person. Afternoon hikes with a snack cost €24 per person.
Immeuble Vega
Flaine Forum
74300 Flaine
Tel: 04 50 90 84 41