Early Season Ski Club Instruction Holiday to Val d'Isère, France

Get your ski legs and brush up your technique before the main season!

This holiday has proved very successful for several years, based on the excellent instruction offered by the development the development centre (TDC) and the early season snow record of Val d’ Isère. As before, the instruction will be for half day (3 hour sessions), with sufficient coaches to provide for member only groups with an average size of 4/5 persons. Please note the minimum ski standard required.

Why Val d'Isère and why 'the development centre'?

The resort: Val d’Isère, with Tignes, forms the world famous Espace Killy comprising 300km of pistes, with plenty for all levels and all served very efficiently by over 90 lifts. A ski range of 1850-3456m usually ensures excellent early season conditions.

Instruction: All TDC coaches are fully qualified to level 4 ISTD with full “equivalence”. Many members have skied with TDC in Val d’Isère, Tignes or Meribel. The feedback has always been excellent. Instruction will be in groups exclusive to SCoM for 3 hours per morning on 5 days.

Please note: this is not a holiday for beginners but rather intermediates and above. If in doubt consult Steve Wardle. The minimum standard is confident on blue pistes in all conditions and able to maintain a consistent pace and turns.

Please give an initial indication of your level on the booking form.

1. confident on blues
2. reasonable on reds
3. strong on reds and OK on blacks
4. comfortable on blacks and keen to explore the whole mountain

TDC will qualify the self-certification above on the first morning. You will be asked to take instruction independently at your own additional cost if you do not meet the minimum standard. There will be a preliminary meeting on Sunday evening so any queries, including the organisation of the groups, can be dealt with directly with TDC. For further details on TDC visit the development centre web site.

Previous comment has included: "It was no surprise to hear everyone singing their instructors' praises after day one; they really are on top of their game." "TDC and holiday organisation were excellent."

For some details of previous December holidays read the articles from the Newsletters here and here.

The accommodation

The Club has reserved Chalet Saulire. It has been completely refurbished recently and offer ensuite twin bedrooms with bath, shower, WC and basin, each with a balcony, plus free wifi and the use of two outdoor hot tubs.

The chalets are located in Le Cret at the lower end of Val d’Isère, 10 minutes walk from the village centre and 2 minutes walk from the nearest bus stop. A comprehensive free shuttle service to and from the slopes is provided each morning and afternoon.

Five days are fully catered with cooked breakfast, afternoon tea and a three course evening meal with unlimited wine at dinner, plus coffee and mints. Canapés and champagne or fizz will be served prior to dinner. On the other two days a continental breakfast and afternoon tea will be provided on a help yourself basis.

Flight times: EasyJet EZY 2185 depart Manchester T1 07:10, arrive Geneva 10:10. EasyJet EZY 2186 depart Geneva 10:45, arrive Manchester T1 11:40. Transfer time around 3.5 hours. EasyJet standard hold baggage allowance is 23kg.

Cost: £1136 per person sharing a twin room including flights and transfers. Ski Carriage is £75 extra (up to 20kg). For those wishing to make their own travel arrangments the cost is reduced by £150 per person. Some members travelled by train last year and will be doing so again in 2024 so could provide company and advice for others choosing this option.

Places are also available without the instruction element at £779 per person including flights and transfers.
If tuition is not required select "Instruction not required” on the application form drop-down for "Ski level for initial grouping”. Priority will be given to those wanting tuition who book before April 6th.

An exchange rate of £1.00/€1.15 has been used for the instruction component of the holiday. If the pound has improved significantly when the instruction is paid for a refund on that element will be made (as last year). Alternatively, if the pound has fallen significantly the extra cost will be passed on to members.

Lift passes: Lift passes are not included but full area lift passes can be pre-booked. We will endeavour to get the best prices for passes nearer the time of the holiday. Those 75 and over get a free pass which can be ordered locally.

The price includes airport taxes and Manchester flight supplement but not insurance.

Insurance: You must arrange your own insurance and the name of the insurer is required when booking.

Application forms are in the "members only" section of the website which requires a username and password (published in the Newsletter and on digital membership cards) for access.

Provided the deposit has been paid applications are processed in the order they are submitted.

To reserve a place on the holiday complete the online application form and pay the required deposit.

Account details for bank transfers are available from David Shepherd or Phil Jones.

Extracts from the reports on previous instruction holidays:

"Overall, a great start to the season!" "An excellent holiday. We went to learn and I am sure we all benefitted from the instruction we received." "The instruction was second to none." "TDC aim to coach you on your style as an individual allowing you to really make a breakthrough in confidence and ability." "The week's skiing was immeasurably better than I expected. I can't ever remember skiing untracked powder for a week before, mostly in sunshine. TDC are excellent, highly recommended and a really nice bunch. I learned a lot from my time with them, gained more confidence and hopefully am skiing better."