FAQ
How do I book a course?
Reservations for private lessons, junior group lessons and at the Snow Garden are preferably made online.
As long as you have the possibility to book lessons online, there is still room left.
Payment is made online before the course using a credit card. You will then receive a confirmation e-mail with all the relevant information.
I have a gift voucher, can I use it online?
To make a reservation using a gift voucher, you can contact us preferably by email at ess@charmey.ch or by telephone on 026 927 55 25.
Is it possible to do only part of the group lessons?
Yes, it is possible to take part in only part of the group course package, but only the courses at the beginning of the series. This avoids too great a difference in level between students and ensures that the instructor can meet the learning objectives at the end of the series.
To register for part of the group lessons you can contact us preferably by email at ess@charmey.ch or by telephone on 026 927 55 25.
Can I attend my child's course?
No, unfortunately parents are not allowed in the Snow Garden area for the duration of the course.
This ensures that the children are fully focused on their learning and can make the best possible progress during the course.
How do I choose the right level for my child?
Private lessons
You do not need to set a level for private lessons. The instructor adapts directly to the student’s level.
Group lessons
If your child is between 3 and 5 years old, the Snow Garden is for him! It is composed of two levels:
- Beginner 1: for children who have never been on skis before.
- Beginner 2: for children who have already skied a few times, even last season.
For children from 6 to 15 years old we offer junior courses with different types of levels. The information below and the videos produced by the Swiss Snowsports Federation (Swiss Snowsports) will help you to determine your child’s level.
If however the instructor notices that the level of the course is not adapted to your child (too advanced or too easy), he or she will be moved to a group with a more suitable level. Our group lessons take place at the same time, so there is no need for you to change your schedule.
Levels
Princess/Princess Blue
- Information on equipment
- Climbing stairs and scissor climbing
- Sliding and braking with a snow plough
- Gliding with the skis parallel with steps and tricks
- Snowblower
- Click here to see the video
Blue King / Queen
- Information on the use of the ski lifts
- Crossing descent and tricks
- Lateral spinning
- Moguls and easy jumps with skis parallel
- Snowplough turn on a light blue slope
- Click here to see the video
Blue star
- Information on behaviour on the piste (FIS rules)
- Turn in a forest of mini posts and a course
- Skiing in hollows and bumps
- Change skiing with your skis in a “V” shape and change direction
- Snowplough turn on a varied blue slope
- Click here to see the video
Princess/Princess Red
- Information on warming up (warm-up)
- Parallel braking
- Step turn on easy route
- Waltzes
- Slippery parallel turn
- Click here to see the video
Red King / Queen
- Information about the behaviour in the snow park
- Short curve on easy track
- No flat runners
- Basic Air (small kicker)
- Parallel turning of different radii
- Click here to see the video
Red star
- Information on nature, forest and environment
- Parallel rotation in a picket line and a course
- Parallel turn slipped into “soft”.
- Turning on skis on an easy piste
- Short curve on a medium-difficult track
- Click here to see the video
Where is the meeting point at the beginning and end of the course?
Private lessons
The meeting point for private lessons is at the top of the gondola lift 5 minutes before the scheduled lesson time. The lesson also ends at the top of the gondola lift.
Group lessons
For the morning group lessons, which start at 9.45 am, the meeting point is at the bottom of the gondola at 9.10 am. The course ends at 11.45 am at the top of the gondola*.
For afternoon group lessons, which start at 2pm, the appointment is at the top of the gondola at 1.45pm*. The course ends at 16:00 at the top of the gondola lift*.
* Up to 8 years old, the child must be brought by an adult to the meeting point and picked up at the top of the gondola at the end of the course.
From 6 years old, the child can take the gondola lift alone only with the explicit authorisation of a parent (to be given to the instructor present or at the reception centre).
We offer a free return trip to one adult per family to accompany a child under 8 years old.
Do I have to accompany my child to the top of the gondola lift?
Up to the age of 8, the child must be brought by an adult to the meeting point (at the foot of the gondola in the morning and at the top of the gondola in the afternoon) and picked up at the top of the gondola at the end of the course.
We offer a free return trip for one adult per family to accompany a child under 8 years old.
From the age of 6, the child can take the gondola alone only with the explicit authorisation of a parent (to be given to the instructors present or the reception centre).
What are the fees to be paid in addition to the courses?
If you only come for the duration of the course, we offer you the possibility of paying only for a return gondola ride.
If you wish to ski before or after the course, there are different options:
- Beginner’s area tariff: includes the gondola lift, the mini-teleski and the plate, valid for the whole day.
- 1 day sliding rate: includes all the facilities of the ski area.
- 4-hour ski pass: includes all the facilities of the ski area. It starts at the first terminal at the bottom of the gondola lift. The gondola descent can be made at any time if you wish to enjoy the summit after your ski pass has expired.
Find here all the lift tariffs.
The lifts are free for all Magic Pass holders.
Is it possible to move a course?
Yes, it is possible to move one or more courses, preferably by email to ess@charmey.ch or by telephone on 026 927 55 25.
What are the cancellation conditions?
In case of absence of the student at the beginning of the course, the price of the course will not be refunded and the course will not be exchanged for another one.
In the event of illness or accident, the client agrees to notify the school of the absence as soon as possible, but no later than 1 hour before the start of the course. The course can only be postponed or refunded if a cancellation insurance has been taken out for this course and this person.
Find all our general conditions.
Does my child have to arrive fully equipped?
Yes, he must be equipped with ski clothes, a helmet and bring his skis and poles or snowboard. Poles are not obligatory for lessons at the Snow Garden.
We do not hire out ski equipment, but you can rent some from the sports shops in Charmey or the surrounding area.
What slope are open?
For information about the facilities and slopes open as well as snow conditions, we invite you to consult our interactive piste map as well as our webcams by clicking on the “Live” button on each page.
I tried to call you, but no one is answering.
Our team does its utmost to be reachable by telephone according to the times announced on our answering machine. However, especially during busy periods, we may not be able to take all calls immediately. Rest assured that we systematically call back all the numbers that try to reach us.
In order to relieve our switchboard, you can reach us by email at ess@charmey.ch.
Contact
available every day from 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Jean-François Repond
