The 10 best things to do with kids in Val Thorens

It seems like a busy week, but allowing to have 14 kids per instructor doesn’t leave a lot of time per student. So value for money (it is not cheap) is definitely mostly benefiting ESF. No doubt the instructor has a high technical knowledge and training themselves, however in terms of making a student feel welcome, in the case my daughter, that is completely absent. That doesn’t create a good environment for learning and enjoying the experience. It is most like a result of her not speaking French, as it was clear that other kids got all the attention from the teacher. it takes very little to make a kid feel welcomed. I will not recommend nor use the school again for my non-French speaking kids.

Our both sons from 3 and 4 olds joined a group lesson last week. Very patience and kind instuctors. The boys makes also good progression. Would really recommend them.

Wow! Worth every penny! So we had both snowboarding and skiing instruction from Agathe. Firstly, I’m incredibly impressed at the skill; training and professionalism required to become an ESF instructor and so I have the utmost respect for all ESF personnel. Agathe very quickly gauged our experience and how we learnt; our strengths and our weaknesses, and tailored her tutoring so that by the end of our holiday we were cruising down red routes from Pointe du Masse quite happily. What’s more, we learnt so much about general safety on the mountains; the best places for hot chocolate and how to look after our kit too. Agathe is exceptionally talented and we are very grateful to have had the privilege of her tuition. We learnt so much from Agathe!

I got Laurent J or Jay or (G in French) im not so sure But he was the best instructor I have ever had. I can hit blue slope on day 3 He really knows how to communicate! I was super insecure about my ski and the hight! And i was panic the whole time .. once I did a course with Laurent it was soooooo much better. Even the staff at reception was super nice. I recommend this school

Great experience in beginner class with Jocelyne, one of the best ski teachers that I’ve ever meet. Her pedagogical skills are impressive, she was very patient with us and at the end of the week we all managed to be autonomous and to gain our self confidence on the slopes of Les 3 Vallées!

We have just returned from a week in Les Menuires where our children (6 and 4) were booked into ski school with ESF for the week. My daughter was very upset on the first day as she had been assessed by ESF and put into a class too advanced for her. She had also been pushed by another child and when clearly upset she was shouted at, told she was not a good skier and was holding up the class. When I booked my son into Pioupiou I was advised that there were only afternoon lessons available. I was asked if I wanted to book him in for 5 or 6 afternoons (as we had arrived on a Sunday). I booked and paid for 6 afternoon lessons. My son got on well in the classes during the week however when we arrived for his class on Saturday I was told that he had missed it as Saturdays there were only morning lessons. We were not told this when we booked the lessons or by the instructors that week. When I asked for a refund for Saturday's lesson, I was told I should have had an email confirming the times but I had not received this. ESF admitted it was their error but refused to refund me for the day he missed. I will not be using ESF again.

This is our experience with ESF Les Menuires group snowboard lessons for newbies: - The website asks which language your child speaks, and google labels www.esf-uk.co.uk as "English Speaking Ski Schools in France", yet all group instructions are only given in French, "because this is a French school". I'm ok with it being a French school, but adverts are very obviously misleading. - ESF website tells you snowboard lessons are for kids from 6 years old, yet you can't register anyone who's younger than 8. - The instructors 90% of time focus on the average student - for us it was around 12 year old French speaker. The ages of kids in the group were from 8 to approx 15 years, quite a difference. At least half of instructors are decent and kind when they finally decide to pay attention to a child struggling e.g. to get up after falling. But it may take 5 minutes for the instructors to finally pay attention to a struggling kid. - The instructors speak good English, still UK kids may struggle to parse the accent - The group was around 20 kids (and 4 instructors). At least first few lessons kids most stand/sit, waiting for everyone to do an exercise in turn (but those who fail still wouldn't get help soon enough) - The school is designed for die hard French-speaking kids who wouldn't mind being neglected and left on their own, and ideally are at the top 25% ranked by fitness, learning ability and age within the group. Others may have psychological and physical traumas. Good stuff: - when we dropped out from the group, it was possible to transfer the remaining credit to 1 private lesson, which was much more useful and nice

Very well located, right on the slopes and also close to shopping, restaurants, etc. But the building is quite worn-out, with many apartments showing substantial wear and tear.

DEPOSIT SCAM!! (Agence la cime) We stayed here for one week during January 2025, it was a great location and pretty basic room but it worked for us as a group. The issues came after leaving. We left the apartment at 4am in a reasonable state (floor needed to be swept and bathroom cleaned/ kitchen cleaned) and a cleaning fee was taken of €150 which is hard to dispute as maybe we didn't realise the apartment needed to be spotless before leaving but were willing to leave this. However they charged us an additional €50 for a late check out fee despite leaving at 4am. On top of this they charged us €200 for apartment keys which we placed in the post box of the apartment we were staying (they claim to not have access to this) (Assuming they don't have access I don't think it costs €200 to get 2 sets of keys cut) In total they took €433, I can't help but feel that they are using this as a way to unjustly take big lumps of deposit from tourists who have since left the country and are unable to dispute. I have emailed 1 week ago and since had no response.

GREAT ski in ski out location

(Translated by Google) Nice, quiet apartment building. Somewhat worn, but of course it is different depending on the apartment. Bargatan is close but far enough away that you will not be disturbed. Walking distance to various grocery stores, restaurants and everything else you might need. (Original) Trevligt, lugnt lägenhetshus. Något slitet, men det är förstås olika beroende på lägenhet. Bargatan ligger nära men tillräckligt långt bort för att man inte ska bli störd. Gångavstånd till olika mataffärer, restauranger och allt annat man kan tänkas behöva.

(Translated by Google) Apartment residence Ideally located at the top of the station Calm Direct access to the slopes South-facing balconies with panoramic views overlooking the Peclet massif (Original) Résidence appartement Idéalement placée en haut de la station Calme Accès direct aux pistes Des balcons plein sud vue panoramique sans vis à vis sur le massif de peclet

(Translated by Google) To avoid unless you are in your twenties and there are ten of you in an apartment for four or you are deaf because it is very noisy in the evening (Original) A fuir sauf si vous avez la vingtaine et que vous partez a dix dans un appartement pour quatre ou que vous etes sourd car tres bruyant le soir

(Translated by Google) Very well located building on the slopes, quiet (Original) Immeuble très bien situé sur les pistes, au calme

Great ski lessons with Zack and Nicolas! All the teachers are very nice and helpful!

(Translated by Google) If I can recommend a ski instructor to you it is without hesitation: Xavier. He is an educator, breaking down each movement, each posture with clarity and precision. The practice involves a demonstration on his part and exercises. To top it off, Xavier is smiling, warm, funny and above all gives you confidence. We leave the course feeling calm, and with the desire to put its valuable advice into practice as soon as possible. A big thank you Xavier and see you soon! (Original) Si je peux vous recommander un moniteur de ski c’est sans hésitation : Xavier. Il est pédagogue, vous décompose chaque mouvement, chaque posture avec clarté et précision. La pratique passe par une démonstration de sa part et des exercices. Pour couronner le tout, Xavier est souriant, chaleureux, drôle et surtout vous met en confiance. On ressort du cours serein, et avec l’envie de mettre en application au plus tôt ses précieux conseils. Un grand merci Xavier et à bientôt !

(Translated by Google) A perfect experience with the ESF of Menuires/Bruyères. From the reception, the team is warm and efficient. The instructors are passionate, very educational. They welcome children quickly and quickly remember their faces and their names. The atmosphere is friendly and motivating. Thanks to the whole team for the children. (Original) Une expérience parfaite avec l'ESF des Menuires/bruyères. Dès l'accueil, l'équipe est chaleureuse et efficace. Les moniteurs sont passionnés, très pédagogues. Ils accueillent les enfants rapidement et retiennent vite leur tête et leur nom. L’ambiance est conviviale et motivante. Merci à toute l’équipe pour les enfants.

(Translated by Google) Village Piou Piou really great for children. Whether it’s the nursery, the kids club or ski lessons. Everyone is very nice, caring towards the children, flexible… A big thank you to everyone, as well as to the super director Christelle. We can't wait to come back with our 2 daughters. (Laïa’s parents) (Original) Village Piou Piou vraiment top pour les enfants. Que ce soit la nurserie, le kids club ou les cours de ski. Tout le monde est très sympa, bienveillants envers les enfants, flexibles… Un grand merci à tous, ainsi qu’à la super directrice Christelle. Nous avons hâte de revenir avec nos 2 filles. ( parents de Laïa)

(Translated by Google) A great week in group show classes for our teenager who had a lot of fun and made a lot of progress thanks to his great instructor Antoine. Many thanks! And see you next year! (Original) Une super semaine en cours collectif de show pour notre ado qui s'est bien amusée et a beaucoup progressé grâce son super moniteur Antoine . Un grand merci ! Et à l'année prochaine !

(Translated by Google) Very nice welcome and great teachers. Thanks personally to Jeff. ☺️We learned to ski with him for the first time. Everything is taught in a very understandable way and you can feel his support the whole time. Private lessons are definitely worth it.😎😎😎 (Original) Sehr netter Empfang und tolle Lehrer. Danke persönlich an Jeff. ☺️Wir haben mit ihm zum ersten Mal gelernt Ski zu fahren. Alles sehr verständlich beigebracht und man spürt die ganze Zeit seine Unterstützung. Privatunterricht lohnt sich auf jeden Fall.😎😎😎

(Translated by Google) Thanks to Jocelyne and Raphaël for resuming skiing. They knew how to challenge me and adapt to my skills. I highly recommend! (Original) Merci à Jocelyne et Raphaël pour la reprise du ski. Ils ont su me challenger et s’adapter à mes compétences. Je recommande vivement !

(Translated by Google) Despite the climb to get there, a beautiful discovery like all the lakes in the resort. (Original) Malgré la montée pour y arriver, une belle découverte comme tous les lacs de la station.

(Translated by Google) Great mountain lake. Good fishing in a top setting. Beautiful wild and rainbow trout that I of course released 🧐Fishing license to ask in Valthorens at the swimming pool restaurant. Otherwise, pleasure for the eyes (Original) Super lac de montagne . Une bonne pêche dans un cadre top . De belles truites sauvages et arc-en-ciel que j’ai bien sûr relâché 🧐Carte de pêche à demander à Valthorens au restaurant de la piscine . Sinon bonheur pour les yeux

(Translated by Google) Incredible nothing to say magnificent view (Original) Incroyable rien à dire vue magnifique

(Translated by Google) Magnificent, bucolic site. (Original) Site magnifique, bucolique.

(Translated by Google) wonderful skiing (Original) heerlijk geskied

The rooms are ridiculously small. The people working there are sonunrespectfull. WiFi doesn’t work and they stole us the deposit without any explanation. Never again go to this disgusting hotel.

(Translated by Google) Best value apartment hotel (Original) מלון דירות שווה ביותר

The best ski school and instructors, I arrived as a really nervous absolute beginner and Milan taught me the essentials along with building my confidence. He adapted the lessons as I was progressing and was extremely patient. I can’t rate highly enough. I even booked more lessons throughout the week and I enjoyed them so much. Thanks Milan.

We were lucky to have Elian Leonhart as our guide on the EGSW hosted groups . He was very flexible, helpful and attentive to all the skiers needs and requests and the best guide I have had in over 10 years. Merci bien .

Very grateful for the service by max and Jeremy. Bought a pair of boots here, was thoroughly impressed by the level of detail that was put into getting a pair that I felt were the right fit for me. After a few days of skiing I had to get the boots readjusted and everything was perfect. They helped me massively with tips to get the boots on properly and how to solve the problems I faced. Thank you very much - they were amazing.

Highly recommend using Prosneige for lessons. We had 6 snowboarding lessons with Charly and absolutely loved them! He provided really clear instructions, tips and demos for beginners and made lessons fun and varied, too. He kept the motivation up when I was struggling which was really important for me! Great instructor

It's a great Team and amazing experience. In particular for the boot fitting guys. You're talking to experts. Follow their lead as they take you through how it should feel and what to expect between comfort and performance. I love my boots . Best skiing ever following this. Thanks again!

Superb experience getting new boots fitted by Jeremy. Incredibly efficient initial fitting in the morning, followed by adjustments that afternoon. 2 Moore dsys skiing on them and no more adjustments required.

We had the best ski 🎿 instructor this week!! Mathaiu (Matt) made learning so much fun! Improved our technique. Mixed it up with some off piste and improved our confidence on the steeper slopes. Thanks Matt - great job!! See you next year 👍 Charlie & Lisa