The Levels and Grades of Skiing

You’ve decided to go on a family ski trip, but you’re not sure what your level is or how the different skiing levels are named in ski schools. You’re hesitating between the ESF (École du Ski Français) and the ESI (École de Ski Internationale)? Your choice will mostly depend on your skill level and the ski resort you choose.

ESF Daycare (18 months to 3 years)

Would you like to enjoy your ski holiday, but your child is between 18 months and 3 years old? Most ski resorts offer daycare services for little ones who are too young to learn how to ski or join the Piou Piou Club. They are looked after by early childhood professionals with both indoor and outdoor play activities, and of course, nap time. You should check with the ESF at your chosen ski resort to make sure the daycare is suitable for your child’s age.

Piou Piou Club (Ages 3 to 5)

If your child is between 3 and 5 years old, the Piou Piou Club is available in almost all French ski resorts to help them start learning how to ski. Each child joins a group lesson with a certified ski instructor. Children will discover their equipment, experience their first glides in a specially designed area, and learn how to move through the snow by foot or on skis. Instructors use play-based methods to teach the youngest skiers. Your child will leave with wonderful memories of their stay and their first ski lessons in the mountains.

Ourson Level 🧸 (From age 4)

Has your child already tried skiing or is it their very first time? Enroll them in the Ourson course. This is the first course where they can earn a medal by learning how to put on and take off their skis independently, use beginner ski lifts, and slide with their skis. They’ll be able to control their speed by turning and slide with parallel skis facing downhill. Thanks to this course, your child will soon be able to follow you on the easiest green slopes.

Flocon Level ❄️ (From age 5)

Your child can join this course even if they have never skied or haven’t earned the Ourson medal. They’ll learn how to control their speed, brake, and even come to a full stop. Get ready to be impressed—they’ll be able to go down a gentle slope in a more or less straight line and start skidding just like the grown-ups. The ski instructor may even congratulate your child as they manage to link 7 to 8 snowplow turns and then return to parallel skis to descend a slope. Your child will be proud to have learned how to balance confidently on their skis.

1st Star Level ⭐

The 1st Star follows the Flocon group lessons. Your child will learn to glide on gentle or moderate slopes, ski straight down the piste, and make simple skidded turns. The instructor will be proud when your child earns their medal after successfully linking basic turns with skidding and maintaining balance while skiing down easy slopes. Your child will be thrilled with their week and will already be asking to earn their next star during your next ski trip.

2nd Star Level ⭐⭐

Your child will feel more and more confident on the ski slopes as they continue with group lessons. They will learn to handle bumps and dips and begin using the skating step instead of the snowplow technique they started with. They’ll need to link many more turns—just like adults—on moderate slopes, with parallel skis and an eye on their surroundings. At this point, your child will be able to join you on the ski runs and show off their turning skills on gentle slopes.

3rd Star Level ⭐⭐⭐

Your child will become a real ski pro after practicing every year at the ski resort. They'll be able to ski down slopes, link several turns, and follow you with ease. At this level, your child will master turns like the grown-ups. To earn the medal, they’ll need to use parallel skis—something they’ve been working on in previous lessons. They'll also need to show more precise balance, pick up speed, and control it by skidding to a stop.

Bronze Star Level

Your child has reached the level of the 3rd star or has earned their medal? You can enroll them in this course to become even more comfortable on the ski slopes. They will learn sequences of movements, turns that are tighter or wider, how to maintain balance on the slopes or on prepared terrain, and how to do stem turns, for example. Your child will become a skilled skier thanks to all their ski trips.

Silver Star Level

You must be proud of your child who has become very confident on the ski slopes. Thanks to the group lessons you’ve arranged for them, they want to keep improving and earn another star. The Silver Star will help them ski on all types of snow. They will improve their precision by learning to reduce skidding, perfect their weight shifts and style. Your child will be proud because they will have learned to perform simple jump tricks. They will race down the slopes with you during your ski holidays.

Gold Star Level

This is the final stage of ski learning. Your child has gone through several levels over the years during their ski trips to improve their skills. They will need to ski at the top of the slopes for a timed course, just like in competitions. Here they are on the ski slopes, working on improving their skiing technique. They will ski without stopping while staying aware of their surroundings. They will link turns and stem turns on varied terrain and finish with a timed mini giant slalom. Your child will have achieved their goal by skiing down the slopes just like you. They will know the ski slopes better than anyone.

Beginner Level

If you have never skied before or if you are taking your first steps on the slopes after several years without skiing, this course is made for you. The instructor will help you get familiar with your equipment and adapt to this new environment. After this course, you will be able to use ski lifts, glide on smooth terrain, and make a turn using the snowplow position with your skis…

Level Class 1

Thanks to the previous course, you will be more confident on your skis. You will have learned simple movements, controlled your speed on the slopes, and even changed direction using the snowplow position for now. After this course, you will see progress as your instructor helps you improve.

Level Class 2

This course helps you improve by using your instructor’s advice. You will learn your first skids and finish your turns with parallel skis. This is a great step after starting out with the snowplow technique. You will also be introduced to different types of snow (icy, deep, groomed…) and various terrains (slopes, bumps).

Level Class 3

This level confirms that you no longer ski in the snowplow position but with parallel skis. Very good news! After several courses each year, you can see your progress. You are ready to perform rounded skids, execute mogul turns, and feel comfortable in specific turns. You will be able to enjoy your ski trips by confidently skiing down the slopes.

Level Class 4

After skiing in group lessons, your level allows you to ski on different types of terrain with the right techniques. Thanks to this level, you will further perfect your skills to become a skiing expert. After this level, you can discover ski touring with the ESF. This level will help you become increasingly confident as a good skier.

We hope this information will help you better understand the ESF ski levels.