Childrens' Skiing & Ski Lessons in Verbier
also see Ski Schools in Verbier: Book a Ski Lesson

Ski School for Children

Most ski instructors wouldn’t recommend your child starts skiing before the age of three or four at the earliest. The right age will vary from child to child, and depends upon the child’s strength, co-ordination and attitude. For this age group skiing should remain a play activity, so don't expect a young child to ski all day - a couple of hours is ample.

Ski school is generally a much less strenuous affair for the children with the emphasis being very much on fun and a varied range of games aimed at their particular age and level of ability. Class sizes are kept small and many ski schools award certificates or stars that children can achieve throughout the course to mark their progress. For older children there may be the opportunity to take part in organised races, or sample their first taste of safe off-piste. For the younger ones there is more of a ‘kindergarten’ approach with easy activities and games.

Most of the local ski schools will offer childrens ski lessons, and snowboarding lessons usually start at around age of five. It is strongly recommended to pre-book ski school for the busy New Year and February school holiday period. Classes are often fully booked many weeks in advance.

Les Elfes offer kindergarten where children from the age of 3 can practice their skills in a supervised area. Under the guidance of specially trained instructors and away from the daunting pistes little skiers can master mini-versions of ski lifts and practice their snow plough in safety.

Family Lift Pass Options

Verbier lift pass company offers free passes for children under 6, and a reduction on the adult price for children under the age of 16 (for all children’s passes it is advisable to bring proof of date of birth to the pass office).

If you are skiing “en famille” then you should take a look at the Family Pass which offers a reduction on the cost of buying 6-21 day duration passes individually. In order to qualify there must be a minimum of 3 paying individuals from the same family (parents/children), with at least one adult paying full price. Children must be 19 years or younger and the ski passes must be valid for the same period for all members of the family.

There are a number of beginners areas throughout the resort, so it is worth finding out where you are most likely to be skiing before deciding which pass to purchase. Children are made more than welcome in the following beginners zones: Les Moulins, Les Esserts and Le Rouge. The Swiss Ski School runs a Kids Club at Les Moulins for 3 to 6 year olds. Please click here for details of all Verbier lift pass prices.

Après Ski and Entertainment

The options for kids après-ski is endless. Tobogganing is always a big hit, and in Verbier, there are two areas where luging (toboganning) is allowed: La Tzoumaz at Savoleyres and La Côt at Bruson, where there are two marked 10km runs. You can buy full or half day passes to these areas for around CHF 15-20. Most ski hire shops also rent toboggans for a minimal charge but make sure you keep off the main pistes!

For older children (usually over 8 years old, but depends on the size of the child) paraskiing could provide a more daredevil experience. Safe in the hands of a qualified instructor your child can ride in tandem over the Verbier mountains! There are 4 take-off zones throughout the resort and a number of companies that can provide this sport, see our Flying & Parapenting listings section for more details.

The Médran Parc features a suspended footpath 800 m long letting you move from tree to tree using Nepalese bridges, Tyrolean traverses and clamping stirrups. Great for little monkeys! You can find contact details in our Action, Fun & Sports directory.

Cross-country skiing is another excellent activity that is suitable for the whole family and Verbier probvides plenty of terrain to practice this serene sport: a 6-km trail from Les Ruinettes to La Chaux at an elevation of 2200 m, with a panoramic view that will take your breath away; a 4-km loop trail in the resort: a 10km trail in Le Châble and a 2km trail in Plamproz. The Maison du Sport can organise guided excursions, or if you want to set off independently you can hire the kit from most sports shops.

Verbier also boasts an ice rink and a leisure centre with swimming pool, for those days when the weather makes the mountains look less enticing!