Skiing in early December? You must be kidding. There’s no snow.
Yes, there is – plenty of it in Val d’Isère, on the Pisaillas glacier at 3400m and the Grande Motte glacier at a heady 3500m. We’re in the third decade of running these improve-your-technique clinics with my friend and guru, former French racer Pat Zimmer. We’ve always had sufficient snow cover. In late November/early December, more often than not, we’re half buried in the stuff.
While skiers elsewhere across Europe had to cope last year with the most disastrous start to a season in a generation, we were carving turns on top-to-bottom snow-clad slopes with a vertical drop of 1400m. That’s more than most resorts in North America have to offer in February.
The idea behind the clinics is to tune up your technique on piste – and off, if that’s what you need – so that you’re in the best possible state and ready to go this coming season when you click into your bindings on Day One of your ski holiday. Pat has the uncanny ability to not only analyze your technique and see what you are doing wrong, but also to provide an easy solution for putting it right.
So who does it suit?
You really don’t have to be a proficient skier to join us – the whole objective of the full week or mini-break is to turn you into a better one than you are right now.
If you can ski a blue run parallel and are prepared to tackle a red run with enthusiasm, that’s our entry level requirement. Similarly, if you are an advanced skier with plenty of experience, but want to improve on bumps, steeps or any other terrain, then this is also for you.
You’re a bunch of experienced free-riders looking to burn up as much terrain as possible in the company of a like-minded guide and would appreciate tips on how to improve even further? This is also for you.
We split into small groups, according to skill levels and what you’re hoping to achieve during your stay. But if you come with a partner or friend and want to ski together, that’s fine. However, the better skier of the two will join the lower level group.
Can I come alone?
Sure, lots do. Everyone seems to bond in the comfort of the Le Ski chalets, even before we get out on the snow. Great food and wine always prove to be the best ice-breakers.
What’s the age group?
There isn’t one. We’ve had teenagers, octogenarians, and every age in between.
Run me through the day
We’re skiing by 9.00am, after a short shuttle bus ride from your chalet to the lifts, so we break early for lunch – usually around midday. The afternoon session lasts until the lifts close and we ski back down at around 4pm.
But it doesn’t end there. Your group meets later at an agreed time to watch and discuss the video footage taken during the day. Yes, it’s unnerving to start with, but everyone’s in the same boat. You quickly see what you are doing wrong – and how to correct it.
The excellent three-course dinner (with unlimited wine) in your chalet is at around 7.30pm. Anyone with the remaining energy to do so can head out to a bar afterwards, but most settle for a chat beside the fire before bed.
Come and join us this December. If you want to know more about the skiing and tuition, email me at
peter@skishoot.co.uk and for more about the holiday and to book, contact Le Ski on 01484 548996 or
mail@leski.com