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Winter ski trips for schools

Les Elfes International
Switzerland | Japan

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Ski trips for schools – Switzerland and Japan

Since its establishment in 1987, Les Elfes International has been the premier organizer of one-week fully supervised ski trips to top-tier ski resorts, ensuring the utmost quality and safety standards within the industry. Today, Les Elfes operates ski camps across Switzerland (Verbier, La Tzoumaz, Crans Montana) and Japan (Niseko).

Carefully curated, each of our destinations guarantees snow from December through April. Strategically situated at the heart of each resort, our campuses boast proximity to ski lifts, with some accessible by foot and others just a brief 5-minute shuttle ride away aboard our private buses.

Immerse yourself in the breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps or revel in the exhilarating terrain and incredible powder snow of Niseko, including the thrill of night skiing. With Les Elfes, the choice is yours to experience and indulge in a wealth of skiing adventures.

Focus on educational component

Ski trips do not always get the right consideration regarding the educational component they bring to students, but ski trips actually bring a lot of various positive and good skills:

Personal development, social component and sports

Social Component & Team Building
Students will learn how to live together in a big group, possibly also with students from other schools, from other countries and from other cultures.
Team spirit within a group is increased by an “out of classroom experience”

Sports
Students will learn a new exciting sport. The best time in life to start skiing or snowboarding is when you are young! Students will rapidly familiarise themselves with the material (ski, boots, binding and poles) and gain balance and timing enabling them to make proper turns through well-prepared snow slopes. They will keep these skills for the rest of their lives.

Personal Development
A ski trip is a unique experience that does not only allows children to improve their skiing skills but also helps them to maximize both personal and group development and to enhance their self-confidence and interpersonal skills.

Mountains & Culture

Students will gain important knowledge about mountain safety and mountain geography, for example experiencing quickly changing weather conditions, which are typical for high altitude environments. In addition, Les Elfes students will find out a lot about Swiss culture and local food.

All these components put together to make a ski trip a very valuable educational experience for the students, for the teachers who see the students evolving all throughout the week and for the parents who will find their children in very good physical and mental condition after coming back from their ski trip with Les Elfes.

Pack The Necessary Kit Ideal For Off Piste Skiing

Typical day schedule

We offer ski trips from the beginning of December until the end of April. Ski trips are run from Saturday to Saturday and include 6 intensive days of skiing as well as afternoon and evening activities organized by our staff. During the week, students also have the opportunity to go on an exciting excursion to learn more about the country they are visiting and its culture.

Morning 8h30 - 12h00

A typical day at les Elfes will start with an early wake-up at 7.30am followed by a large continental breakfast until 8.45am. All skiers and snowboarders will leave to go skiing with their ski guides; departure from campus is with our private mini buses.From 9.00-12.00 the students will be on the slopes in order to get their ski lessons and discover and practice new exercises.

Afternoon 13h00 - 18h30

At 7.00pm, dinner will be served including a fresh and healthy 3 course menu.
The evening activities will take place from 8.00pm until 10.00pm. Some of our classics are the torchlight walk through the forest, ice hockey / ice skating, music video, private disco and many other activities.

Evening 18h30 - 21h30

At 7.00pm, dinner will be served including a fresh and healthy 3 course menu.
The evening activities will take place from 8.00pm until 10.00pm. Some of our classics are the torchlight walk through the forest, ice hockey / ice skating, music video, private disco and many other activities. During the week, the campers will go on an exciting excursion in Switzerland

Achievement levels

From total beginners, some that have never seen snow, to young athletes training as part of their school ski or snowboard team.

LEVEL
1

Skiing

Balance effectively on sliding skis
Vary their speed using a plough
Perform a variety of balancing exercises on the flat and gentle slopes
Walk up a gentle slope using herringbone and slide step

Snowboarding

Perform a heel side and toe side slip
Move up and down. Flex and extend
Add direction to side slip in a falling leaf
Perform a garland turn on a magic carpet

LEVEL
2

Skiing

Do linked plough turns on the nursery slope
Control their speed and line
Traverse across a slope safely
Side slip
Use the drag lift

Snowboarding

Confidently perform garlands on the nursery slope
Perform a basic turn unaided by the instructor on the nursery slope
Perform a range of balancing exercises on the flat
Use the drag lift

LEVEL
3

Skiing

Do linked plough-parallel turns down a blue slope
Control their speed and line down a blue slope
Ski backwards in a plough
Perform a variety of balancing exercises whilst skiing
Shuffle their feet back and forward whilst traversing

Snowboarding

Perform linked basic turns on blue slopes
Perform a variety of balance exercises between turns
Control speed and line down a blue slope
Use the chairlift

LEVEL
4

Skiing

Perform parallel turns on a blue consistently Control their speed and line down an easier red run
Do linked plough turns backwards
Do bunny hops whilst skiing
Carve across a slope with two clean lines

Snowboarding

Perform a standard turn with an early edge change on a blue slope
Control speed and line down an easier red slope
Make sure turns skidded not carved. Slow and precise
Perform basic nos and tail press on the flat

LEVEL
5

Skiing

Do parallel turns on a red run
Control their speed and line on all red runs Use a pole plant for turning and rhythm
Do a falling leaf
Carve at the end of the turn in both directions

Snowboarding

Perform a standard turn with confidence, varying turn shape, and size
Can control their speed and line on all red slopes
Can perform a single carve turn
Perform a simple J turn on both the heel and toe edge
Basic switch turn
Basic Ollie and Nollie

LEVEL
6

Skiing

Perform parallel turns on red runs and some blacks Control their speed and line on a black run
Use their pole plant consistently
Link carve turns on a gentle run
Control speed and line on a gentle bumps run
Do one-legged turns on their outside ski

Snowboarding

Link carve turns on blue slopes
Control speed and line on all red slopes and some black slopes
Link switch standard turns
Perform one type of 180 variations

LEVEL
7

Skiing

Perform parallel turns on all ski runs
Ski backwards whilst mostly parallel
Control their speed and line on itinerary runs
Link carve turns on a red run
Ski bumps in control and can do basic natural jumps

Snowboarding

Link carve turns on red slopes
Ride on all slopes comfortably
Comfortable with two 180 variations
Ride on variable / mogul terrain

LEVEL
8

Skiing

All mountain skier
Ski the whole mountain with creativity
Perform basic freestyle moves
Vary turn shape and size whilst carving
Ski moguls with fluidity

Snowboarding

Ride the whole mountain with creativity
Ride switch being able to vary turns shape
Vary turns shape and sizes whilst carving
Ride moguls fluidly
Perform basic freestyle

About the Excursions

Camps in Switzerland

Our campuses

One of the many ways in which Les Elfes stands out from other providers is that we are the owner of 5 purpose-built campuses located in premier resorts in Japan and Switzerland. These campuses have been built to welcome children and are never used as hotels. As such, the only guests you will ever find on our campuses are children aged 6-17 and their accompanying staff.

Verbier

  • 140 beds divided into 35 rooms
  • 4-bed rooms with ensuite bathrooms
  • Large dining rooms
  • Lockable Closet
  • Cameras in corridors & nightguard
  • Outdoor football pitch, volleyball pitch, basketball court, trampoline, and ping pong tables
  • Games room with ping pong table, pool table, piano and cinema room

Tzoumaz

  • 58 beds / 14 bedrooms
  • 2-6 bedded rooms, some of which with ensuite bathroom
  • Cozy Atmosphere
  • Spacious dining room and games room
  • Sole occupancy with min 40 students
  • Only few meters from the cable car
  • Games room with ping pong table and pool table

Crans Montana

  • 48 beds / 14 bedrooms
  • 2-6 bedded rooms ,some of which with ensuite bathroom
  • dining room with south facing terrace and games room
  • Located a few steps from the cable car
  • 200 m from the shopping centre of Crans
  • Sole occupancy with min 30 students

Niseko

  • Opening in December 2024
  • 40 beds / 10 bedrooms
  • 4-bed room, with ensuite bathroom
  • Traditional japanese style dormitories
  • Activity center for dinner and games
  • Located in Country Resort, a quiet area in close proximity from Hirafu (5-min), Annupuri (10-min) and Hanazono (10-min)
  • Sole occupancy with min 30 students

Equipment

Having the proper ski equipment is essential for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. We provide additional winter camp equipment and clothing rental, so you don’t need to worry. All equipment can be rented at Les Elfes on the arrival day (ski pants, ski jackets, skis, boots, poles, helmets, snowboards). 1/3 of our equipment is renewed every year in order to be able to propose the newest equipment to our campers. We also provide goggle, gloves, neck buffs, ski socks and hoodies for sale directly on campus.

What some of the teachers
had to say

FAQ

Pre-arrival information

What is the list of basic articles our students should bring for a one-week ski trip?

We recommend packing: nightwear, 3 shirts, 3 T-shirts, 6 changes of underwear, 4 handkerchiefs, 2 bath towels (swimming-pool), sufficient long socks or long ski socks, trousers, pants, warm pullovers, a ski jacket and pants (if not rented), thermal underwear long sleeves, several layers, warm boots, cap, scarf, ski gloves, warm jacket, a track suit, swimsuit, tennis-shoes, slippers etc. Attn: No jeans under ski trousers, only long warm thermal wear top and bottom.

Other items: toiletries including a toilet-bag, laundry bag, sun cream, lip protection, sunglasses, ski glasses=goggles.

Is ski/snowboard equipment included for everyone? What does it consist of?

Yes, it is included in the price for all participants. Equipment includes helmet, boots, skis & poles / snowboard.

Are ski clothes included in the package?

Ski clothes (ski jacket and pants) are not included in the basic package and they are available for rent at an additional cost.

What is included in the ski accessory package?

The ski accessory package is a set for sale which includes one pair of ski goggles, ski gloves, socks, a reusable cup and a hoodie with Les Elfes logo.

Program-related questions

What is the daily itinerary of our ski trip?

The 7-night ski trip program includes 6 skiing days with evening entertainment (games, disco, torch light walk, ice-skating etc).

In terms of dining, students have breakfast and dinner at the campus while lunch is mostly served in the mountain restaurant.

If requested, excursion can be added to the program and the school can choose a preferred destination. Excursion is offered with a supplement.

Can some students select snowboarding instead of skiing?

Yes, students can select snowboarding instead of skiing. In order to form a group, it is obligatory to have at least 5 snowboarders of the same level (as of intermediate).

Can students ski for a few days and then snowboard during the remaining days?

No, we request students to stick to one activity choice throughout the stay.

This is the best way to form trusting relations with the instructor  and get considerable progress in skiing/snowboarding.

How many students are there in a ski/snowboarding group?

Usually, a group of same level skiers/snowboarders includes 7 students.

Our staff

Each Camp is supervised by a Resort Manager and an Activities Manager. Les Elfes runs the camps with all appropriate staff, including animators, kitchen staff, nurse, night guard, cleaning team, private drivers,…

Learn more about other programs !

Field
Trips

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