ESF (Ecole de Ski Française)
Operating since 1945, the ESF teaches everyone the ski fundamentals and other winter sports. Thanks to 17 000 instructors in about 250 offices, the ESF is unavoidably in the French ski resorts. The instructors, wearing their emblematic red uniform, of the biggest French ski school teach the techniques of classic but effective ski, all in a secure and responsible way in order to profit the most from the pleasures of winter sport.
Almost 70% of the ESF students are less than 14 years old (source ESF) and a lot of work is done for the youngest thanks to kindergartens and Piou-Piou clubs present at the resorts. Of course the ESF is not only for children. Adults also have courses dedicated for learning the basics or to perfect several disciplines.
While learning to ski remains the main activity for the ESF it has also opened up for snowboards, ski freestyle, off-piste, Nordic activities and handiski.
ESI (Ecole de Ski Internationale)
In 1977, the ESF lost its monopoly on teaching ski with the arrival of the ESI. It is present today in France, Italy and Switzerland, the ESI counts 95 ski schools and around 2000 instructors wearing their famous blue combination. While creating this ski school the founders’ goal was to promote the integration of young instructors and to evolve the learning system with the clients’ demands.
The ESI emphasizes the time and attention given to each student, the same for collective courses. Learning in a group is done in small numbers anyway with a dozen students maximum for all the winter sports taught. The ski school thus wants to give a better quality to its courses and offers commentary in the friendliest way.
Snowboard, cross-country skiing, heliski, handiski, ski freestyle, off-piste, speed riding, snowkite… The ESI is an expert in various disciplines thanks to its specialized instructors. Regardless the preferred practice, the instructors accompany the students always in small groups for a better learning. Contrary to the ESF, the ESI is not necessarily recognizable at first glance since the latter is free to develop their own image.
Evolution 2
Evolution 2 is a ski school since 1987 with the intention to create a different concept. It is also present in Chili, Portugal and Morocco, and it not only offers ski lessons and other winter sports…
The ski school is specialized in discovery and teaching outdoor activities. In winter, snowkite, splitboard, icefall, diving under ice are especially on the program while canoeing, stand-up paddle, sailing and other adventure activities are taught in summer.
With a desire to pass on a knowledge and to share a passion, the bilingual instructors have only small groups. With more than 300 professionals, this ski school is particularly aimed at foreign clients and has also extended its activity to business tourism and sports events.
The independent ski schools
To answer particular needs of a certain part of the resorts’ clients, many independent ski schools are seen and developed nowadays. They teach ski and other winter sports in small groups or individually thanks to specialized and passionate instructors. These schools adapt to their clients and often offer courses in different languages for foreign clients. Finally, they are ideal for the ‘à la carte’ courses.
