We often get asked when is the right time to introduce a child to skiing. Much depends on the individual child, and how it is approached. As many parents know, it is all too easy to put children off skiing completely. From our experience we would suggest the following guidelines.

2-3yrs If you can find boots that fit, hire little skis, - if the boots are too big, use plastic clip on skis with their own footwear, then just play around with them on the snow – gently pushing/pulling them along so that they gain confidence, and have fun .

3-4 yrs While many parents are tempted to put children of this age into ski school, this can often be a disaster, as they do not have the developmental co-ordination, attention span, physical strength, or experience of a formal learning environment. However if your child has an older sibling, or is with older friends who are skiing, they are more likely to cope. For most in this group an hour or two of private lessons works best.

4-5yrs At this age many children will go to ski school, but it can still be a difficult experience for the same reasons as listed above. In this resort there are several options which are designed to make your childs first skiing lessons run more smoothly. In this resort there are several options that we recommend, that are designed to make lessons for this group run more smoothly.

Ski school choices Morzine/Avoriaz
With all of the following ski schools we will liase closely to provide a seamless service, and lessons can be combined with a Jack Frosts session. We can meet from ski school, arrange indoor/outdoor activities followed by lunch and meeting parents at 2/2.30 (Midi Break) or care for them for a full afternoon

Freedom Seekers - www.freedom2ski.com private or group lessons with a patient English speaking instructor, maximum 6 children, and possibility of a Jack Frosts nanny to help with safety and extra care.
Childrens MGC at www.the-snow-school.com limit their beginners group to 6, and run 2hr lessons.
Flying Start Beginners at www.morzineski.fr will take children from 4 yrs and have maximum group of 8.
Bass morzine www.britishskischool.com run 2 hour lessons for total beginners from 4yrs - encourage parents/nanny to accompany.
The Snow Institute www.thesnowinstitute.com - advocate separate private or small group lessons for those under 5yrs olds
Avoriaz Alpine Ski School www.avoriazalpineskischool.com BASI qualified, English speaking instructors, aim is to have fun, no boring technical talks, just a great time learning on the move
E2SA run a variety of group and private lessons from the Pleney
Mike Hammond - www.skiskills.co.uk - BASI qualified, private groups

For Les Gets / Champery please click on the resort for their Tourist Office website.