Where to Ski And Snowboard - Neilson launches free ski coaching

Neilson launches free ski coaching

22nd May 2015, by Abi Butcher

Neilson will offer guiding and free coaching to Mountain Collection guests next winter

Neilson has become the latest ski tour operator to employ qualified instructors to guide its guests around resorts. The instructors will also offer free coaching in the half-day sessions, which are guaranteed for each guest twice during their stay.

The guiding and coaching — dubbed the “Neilson Mountain Experts” service is available to all guests over 18 years of age staying in the Mountain Collection properties which are Neilson-run hotels or chalets.

“For those of you that aren’t aware, ski guiding and tour operators have had a turbulent relationship of late and it looks set to get worse too. More and more ski resorts across Europe are banning operators from showing their guests around the slopes unless their staff members are qualified instructors,” wrote Neilson in its latest blog.

“So, to continue offering our guests this brilliant service, here at Neilson HQ in Brighton, we decided to create the Neilson Mountain Experts service. This employs ski instructors to not only guide customers around the area, but also offer free coaching to people that wanted it too, all accompanied by Neilson staff.”

Neilson says it will be working with approved local ski schools, including the French-approved ESS (European Ski & Snowboard school) in Les Deux-Alpes. The service is available in France, Italy and Andorra.

Crystal was the first tour operator to employ ski instructors in France in place of its guiding service, and a spokesman has told us that Crystal are currently reviewing the guiding policy across Europe and will release details of any changes in the next week or two. So watch this space!