Lessons (2007/08 prices)

All of the area’s resorts have excellent instructors who teach Alpine skiing, cross-country and snowboarding. There are more than 140 in Val Thorens. Val Thorens has four different ski schools. The French Ski School or E.S. F. (479 00 02 86), Pro-Neige (479 01 07 00), Ski Cool (479 00 04 92) and Ski School International (479 00 01 96).

At the French Ski School, private lessons start at €38 per afternoon hour and €45 for a morning hour. Private guides cost €320–€340 for a full day for five skiers.

Group lessons for skiing (age 12 and older) cost €138 for six mornings, €127 for six afternoons and €198 for six full days.

Children’s lessons (age 4 to 12 ) cost €125 for six mornings, €91 for six afternoons and €260 for six full days with meals (€175 for six full days without meals).

Snowboarding lessons cost €135 for six mornings or €110 six afternoons.

For skiers looking for a guide, the ski school forms groups that ski all day Monday through Friday. The cost for the full week group is about €260.