Family Ski Lessons in Crans-Montana: A Parent's Guide
Planning a ski week with children raises a lot of questions at once. Is my toddler too young? Should the kids go to a group? Can we ski together as a family? Where do we meet, and what does it cost? This guide answers all of it in one place, from the way we work at Enjoy The Ride.
Why families choose a small ski school
We are a family-run school, founded in 2019 by Rox and Laurin. Rox has two children of her own, and every booking still goes through her. That shapes everything we do: no large groups, no fixed schedules, and an instructor who calls you before the first lesson to talk about your children, their fears, the gear and the meeting point.
For a child, the first days on snow decide whether skiing becomes a lifelong love or a bad memory. A calm, playful instructor who focuses on one family at a time makes that difference.
Lessons by age
- Ages 2-4, Mini Discovery: a one-hour first contact with the snow. Pure play. If your child loves it, we keep going; if not, you have lost nothing.
- Ages 2-3, Snow Cubs: regular one-hour private sessions for one toddler, matched to a tiny attention span, to build real comfort week after week.
- Ages 4-5, Snow Explorers: one and a half hours for children ready to gain independence, for one or two children, with a small supplement for a third or fourth.
- All ages, private lessons: two hours, a half day or a full day, for up to four people. Siblings, friends, or parents and children together.
- Semi-private lessons: small groups of similar level, formed when demand allows, with a lower price per person.
Prices at a glance
All prices are for tuition, in CHF, low season / high season. Lift passes and rental are separate.
- Mini Discovery: 60 for one hour.
- Snow Cubs: 80 / 90 for one hour.
- Snow Explorers: 120 / 135 for one and a half hours.
- Private, 2 hours: 160 / 190 for 1-2 people, +20 for a third, +10 for a fourth.
- Private, half day (3 hours): 225 / 270.
- Private, full day (6 hours plus lunch break): 420 / 500.
When to come
High season runs from December 20 to January 6 and from February 7 to March 7. In those weeks, private morning lessons are booked as at least three consecutive mornings, because that is when instructors are most in demand. Afternoon lessons can always be booked on their own. Outside high season, everything is flexible and prices are lower – a good reason to consider a low-season week in January with small children.
Where you meet
Most lessons start at one of four meeting points: the Arnouvaz chairlift, the Crans-Cry d'Er gondola, the Violettes / Barzettes gondola, or the beginner area at the Golf in Crans. For toddlers and first-timers, gentle terrain matters more than anything, and your instructor picks the spot that suits your children and your accommodation.
How booking works
- 1. Send Rox a WhatsApp message, an email, or a request through the website, with your dates, the ages and levels.
- 2. Rox replies personally and matches you with the right instructor.
- 3. A 50% deposit confirms the booking. Cancellation is free up to 7 days before the lesson.
- 4. At least one day before the lesson, your instructor contacts you to go through gear, conditions and the meeting point.
Beyond the slopes
Families rarely ski all day, and that is fine. Our St. Bernard, Upps, leads winter walks through the snow above Crans-Montana, pulling the little ones on a wooden sled, with hot chocolate at the end. In summer, from June to October, we ride the trails together on family mountain bike outings.
Our advice
Start small and keep it fun. An hour of laughter on the snow is worth more than a morning of tears. If you are unsure what suits your family, just send Rox a message: she will tell you honestly, even if the answer is "wait one more season".