Learning to ski or board is an amazing, even life changing experience and what’s more, you’ll love every part of it!
We’ve been introducing first-time skiers and boarders to the mountains for over 20 years, so we know a thing or two about organising beginner holidays, which can be complicated if you’ve not done it before. You’ll have questions like: Which resort do I go to? What extras do I need? What to wear and what will it all cost?
We’re here to make your life easier – from helping you choose the best time to travel to selecting the right Ski Extras or the best package and resort for your budget; whilst (hopefully!) saving you time and money along the way and ensuring you enjoy the experience from the moment you pick up the phone to us.
So, let our expert staff lead you through each stage of learning to ski or board this winter…and remember, we’ve all been through it before!
This may sound like a bold statement, but with the right care and attention, learning to ski or board is not as hard as you might think and with the right guidance, you’ll have the basics mastered in just a few days.
With our English speaking ski and board schools, we have the majority of guests up and skiing or boarding after their first or second day, and linking basic turns by their third day.
By the end of the week you’ll be exploring the wider ski area under your own steam and venturing further afield without an instructor.
We’ve been introducing beginner skiers and boarders to the mountains for over 20 years, so we know a thing or two about learning this great sport!
One thing that we put a lot of effort into is hand-picking our ski and snowboard schools. We know the standard of tuition can have a big effect on your overall holiday enjoyment so we leave nothing to chance and only use the best ski and board schools, to ensure you get the best results, the nicest instructors and have fun all the way.
You can learn to ski and board in any resort, but some are more suited to beginners than others. Each of our resorts have English speaking instructors and lots of nursery slopes and easy ski slopes to make it easier and lots more fun.
To get you started we have hand-picked the best and most friendly resorts for beginner skiers and boarders.
We recommend these resorts: Meribel, Morzine, La Plagne, Courchevel-La Tania
For skiing and boarding you’ll need the right gear to keep warm and help stay on the mountain all day. Speak to our expert ski advisors and they will gladly help you get started. As well as some basic ski-gear, you’ll also need the following:
To get the best prices and ensure you save time on arrival then we always recommend booking your Extras, with us. Our ski hire prices are the best in town, and we only use the leading shops (closest to your chalet or hotel).
Try our Ski & Board Bundles and you can save time and money. We will ensure you get the best service and you don’t have to traipse all over resort on arrival to pick up passes and ski hire…. A mistake here could cost you valuable ski-time if you book your skis online at some random shop, situated a long walk away from your chalet.
If you pre-book your ski Extras with us then our ‘On the Snow’ service will help you get started in resort. Alpine Elements Ski hosts and reps will be on hand from the moment you arrive to answer any questions you may have.
Once in resort our reps will deliver pre-booked lift passes straight to you and fast-track you (where we can) through the ski hire shops so you can get on the mountain faster and start practicing those slide turns!
Our reps will also help with any equipment changes or lift pass problems and assist you with your ski and board lessons when using our specially selected suppliers. Our lessons-support and help in resort can be invaluable.
“Thank you for providing us with such a wonderful holiday. Your Company and staff have been a joy to deal with, and in resort nothing was too much trouble. Thank you also for addicting my son to skiing and condemning me to a life of penury as I hand over large amounts of cash to Alpine Elements every year!"
Always take precautions when riding off piste, but rest assured that La Plagne has some very accessible off piste and gets a lot of great snow - especially on the high slopes around Plagne Villages.
Expert riders will love the long powder descents from the summit of the Bellecôte Glacier with so much natural terrain - from rollovers to natural half pipes and long sweeping runs.
La Plagne is perfect for all levels and the snow park is not too intimidating and full of small, medium and large jumps and rails to try.
If you like variety then you’ll appreciate the area’s tree-lined runs (which are perfect for bad weather days) to its high altitude slopes up at Val Thorens or the famous Mont Vallon which are popular for late season skiers. In addition to the 600 km of piste is a tonne of off-piste itineraries (which we think are best with a guide) and not out of range for the intermediate skier.
How To Book Extras
We Always Advise...
We always advise pre-booking your Ski Extras with us so that we can take care of you in resort under our 'On the Snow' programme. This will help us to make things faster and more efficient for you on arrival in resort.
> Book Online or Over the Phone
All our Ski Extras can be booked on-line with your initial holiday reservation or over the phone with our expert sales team, so don’t forget to add them on. If you’re a family or group booker and uncertain about the best deals available for you - then just call us so we can help you work out what the best offers and packages are.
Call us now on 0844 770 40 70
> Your Client Area
If you’ve already booked, then simply go to your Client Area and share the link with your group. Here, you can get prices and add any ski Extras to any passenger. At this stage you will not have to pay anything, all orders are taken and group leaders are sent a fresh invoice to check before agreeing and paying. Simple!
> Book by Email
If you’ve already booked then you can also add Extras or get prices by sending an email to extras@alpineelements.co.uk. After you’ve asked for Extras to be added by email, we will then send you a confirmation invoice to make sure you’re happy. Payment will be due later and normally align with your holiday balance due date.
See our terms below. extras@alpineelements.co.uk
> Payment of Extras
All Ski Extras can be added to your booking without any deposit or pre-payment necessary. We will simply ask that you settle the balance with us by your final holiday balance due date which is normally 10 to 12 weeks before departure, or sooner for bookings made within this period. Some lessons and childcare providers may need a deposit on reservation.
Cancellations
For Ski & Board Hire & Liftpass: We don’t charge for cancellations or amendments to lift passes or ski and board hire, right up until two weeks prior to departure. So you can change your mind as often as you like! If you wish to completely cancel an order within two weeks prior to departure then there may be an admin fee of £30 per person, (per equipment pack / lift pass). However if you wish to upgrade the order to a superior equipment pack or lift pass there will be no extra charge.
For Ski Lessons & Childcare Quite a lot of work has to go into sourcing lessons and childcare for our clients and third party suppliers often ask for deposits. Therefore we may have to charge for cancellations and amendments made, (at any time), as well applying as our standard admin fee.
The Detail
Passport Photos Please bring a passport sized photo to resort. Some ski passes do not require this however lift ticket offices can be unreliable and are known for “changing their minds”! To be safe, be sure to bring one with you and you will not have to look around resort for a photo booth!
Lift Pass Duration All passes are arranged to commence the day after arrival so that you can get the standard 6 days on the mountain during any one week and 13 days for two weeks. Should you wish to ski on the day of your arrival or departure then you must arrange the extra day or half day pass separately with our reps on arrival in resort. You can do this quite easily on arrival or the transfer coach with us.
View our brochures online or have them delivered to your door.
View BrochuresBooking for a group of more than 6 people, get a quote and SAVE.
At Alpine Elements, we’ve been creating holidays to Chamonix for over 20 years. Here are some of our favourite things to do.
Read MoreFor a fantastic stay in the French Alps you can’t do much better than head to the classy resort at Tignes. This is a hugely popular tourist destination
Read More
