Why École du Ski?
Ski Miquel strives to ensure you can make best the memories possible in the mountains, and in our somewhat biased view, that means when learning to ski or snowboard, the quicker you can do it, the more of the mountain you can get to in a safe way. This is why we partner with world-class teaching and adventure people in resort, so we simply had to work with ESF, which is the oldest and best established in the French Alps.
The École du Ski Français (ESF) follows a structured and progressive teaching approach designed to build confidence, technique, and enjoyment on the slopes. Central to this method is the 'Étoiles' badge system, a clear, step-by-step framework that motivates learners, especially children, through defined goals and visible achievements.
Starting with Club Piou Piou for young beginners, children progress through badges such as Ourson, Flocon, and various Étoiles (stars), each representing a higher level of skill. This system encourages consistent improvement and provides clear feedback to both parents and students. Instructors use age-appropriate techniques and adapt lessons to each learner’s ability, ensuring that confidence grows alongside ability.
The ESF’s nationally standardised curriculum ensures consistency across its 220+ schools in France. Every instructor is a state-certified professional who follows the same principles, ensuring high-quality instruction regardless of location. Group lessons are small, friendly, and supportive, fostering both social interaction and personal growth.
This structured method helps students progress safely and efficiently, whether they’re skiing, snowboarding, or trying new disciplines like freestyle or off-piste. The combination of expert instruction, progressive levels, and clear goals makes the ESF teaching model both effective and highly motivating, especially for young skiers.
Resort & locations
Ski Miquel is partnered with ESF in the following locations:
You can book ESF lessons and activities directly through our online portal and receive a discount on the public price. The ESF team are available to help you in resort and often pop in to our chalet-hotels to answer questions. If you are unsure of what lesson is right for you, then try our handy guide on choosing the right level.
The History of ESF
The École du Ski Français (ESF) traces its origins back to the late 1930's, when Émile Allais, Paul Gignoux, Georges Blanchon, and others established the “école française” teaching method following Allais’s 1937 World Championship success. The formal ESF network, under the Syndicat National des Moniteurs du Ski Français (SNMSF), was founded in 1945, backed by the French Ski Federation, and soon grew into the largest ski school in the world (fr.wikipedia.org).
| Date/Event | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1937 | French ski method formalised; first instructors trained (esf-uk.co.uk) |
| 1945 | ESF founded and begins expanding nationwide |
| Mid‑1950's | ESF uniforms, brands, and network solidify across French resorts |
| Montgenèvre | Resort since 1907; likely joined ESF network post‑1945, tied to nationwide expansion |
| 1960's‑1970's | ESF established in Tignes concurrent with resort build-out |
Expansion to Montgenèvre
Montgenèvre, France’s oldest resort (established in 1907), introduced ski lessons early in the 19th Century. In 1907 the resort held its first ski jumping events, and by 1936 even installed its first ski lift (montgenevre.com). Although ESF was founded in 1945, local history suggests the organisation of formal, instructor-led ski instruction in Montgenèvre soon after the war. Given ESF’s nationwide rollout in the postwar ski development boom of the 50's and 60's, it's very likely that an official ESF school was established there during this period, integrating Montgenèvre into the ESF network while respecting its century-old ski heritage (esf-en.net).
Arrival in Tignes
The transformation of Tignes into a ski resort began in the 1960's after the controversial construction of a dam and the submerging of the old village in 1952. By 1967, the Société des Téléphériques de la Grande Motte (STGM) had taken over the lifts (en.wikipedia.org). Within this wave of resort development, fuelled by the 1960's Plan Neige, which saw hundreds of ski stations launched, ESF expanded into Tignes, establishing a local school once lift infrastructure and resort amenities were in place (fr.wikipedia.org). While an exact founding year for ESF Tignes isn't documented here, it's a safe conclusion that it coincided with the rapid growth of Tignes in the late 1960's or early 1970's, alongside its neighbour Val d’Isère.