'Loved the service - kids absolutely happy and much preferred skiing with Oxygène over mum and dad!'
Adele, winter 2010-11
Oxygène offers at least 10 different levels of children's group lessons in La Plagne & Val d'Isère every week. Group sizes are always small, and lessons are perfectly pitched for children of all ages and abilities - from their first steps on the nursery slopes, to snowpark shenanigans guaranteed to keep the most daring of teenagers on their toes. Choose from morning or full-day ski school, both with the option of Lunch Club. Special Value afternoon ski school is also available in La Plagne.
See ourtop tips to ensure you and your family enjoy safe and stress-free skiing.
Support our Fresh Air Campaign for Kids
Oxygène is a family company, and we're committed to working towards a better future for children everywhere. Our Fresh Air Campaign exists to raise funds for children's charities. In winter 2011-2012, we're inviting you to donate 1% of the cost of your children's group lessons to supporting our three chosen charities, and we'll match your donation.
Choose the right lessons for your kids
Find the right level for your children using the class descriptions below. If you're not quite sure, contact us by phone or email and we'll be happy to help. If you're still not sure, don't worry! Your children's instructor will assess their skiing at the beginning of the week, and make sure that they're in the ideal class for their experience and ability.
Snowbears - 3 years (mornings only) Little ones take their first steps on skis in our safe, enclosed teaching area, complete with 'Magic Carpet' lift (La Plagne only). By the end of the week, Snowbears can slide around on their skis and stay upright, changing direction by themselves in the snowplough position.
Snowman - 4 to 7 years The class for absolute beginners. The Snowman class starts off on the flat nursery slopes, and children progress to learn to use the draglift and chairlift by the end of the week. They will practise simple turns and learn to stop, all using the snowplough position.
Premier Ski - 8 to 12 years (nursery slopes and green runs) This is for children who are already able to use a ski lift (with help from their instructor), and to ski down a nursery slope and stop on their own. Children in the Premier Ski class can already get their own skis on and off, and can manage simple linked turns, with or without cones for guidance.
Cristal - 8 to 12 years (1 – 2 weeks’ experience, green and easy blue runs) More experienced than those in the Premier Ski class, Cristal skiers have a week or two's skiing experience and can snowplough, stop, and turn on easy green and blue runs. They are already learning to control their speed, and are gaining confidence on chairlifts and draglifts.
Bronze (1 - 3 weeks’ experience, green and blue runs) Children in the Bronze group can already ski blue runs with ease, and know how to side-slip. They can control their balance on slightly bumpy slopes. By the end of the week, they will have learned to use their poles correctly.
Silver (4 – 6 weeks’ skiing experience, blue and easy red runs) At the start of the week, Silver skiers can do parallel, linked turns on smooth and bumpy runs, and their turns are neatly finished in a side-slip.
Vermeil (6 - 9 weeks’ skiing experience, all blue and red runs) Children in the Vermeil group can do short and medium linked turns, and can easily stop when they want to, keeping their skis parallel. They will be learning to ski short carved turns.
Gold (8 – 10 weeks’ experience, red and black runs) Gold skiers are comfortable on bumps and on all red runs, and can manage short, carved turns. They will be learning to link short and long turns at an even and balanced pace, and to master all types of snow.
Diamond (11 – 14 weeks’ skiing experience) Diamond skiers are confident and in control on all kinds of slopes, with expert turns and speed control, and no fear of bumps. This class will help take their confidence and technique to the next level.
Steep ‘n Fast (from 12 years) Perfect for teenagers looking for fun and a new challenge! This is the start of adventure skiing, with classes taking in boarder cross, bumps, snowpark skiing, and the beginnings of freestyle. If conditions are right, they'll start to learn powder skiing; whatever the weather, they'll learn to control their technique on all kinds of slopes. The course ends with a speed test!
Teenagers’ group (13-18 years, 3 afternoons, Val d’Isère only) Available in Val d'Isère, this three-afternoon clinic is for confident and experienced teenagers (minimum level - parallel turns on black runs) who want to try something new. The course is varied, and may include snowpark, freeride skiing, slalom and racing.
Please see the following resort pages for further information and timetables:
05 Feb 2012
02 Feb 2012
