School ski trips to Valloire / Valmeinier
£1300 to £1950
A typical school ski trip to France cost is £1300 to £1950 per person, depending on destination, time of travel, transport, accommodation and inclusions.
Nestled in the heart of the Savoie region, Valloire and Valmeinier together form a welcoming, high‑altitude ski domain that’s perfectly suited to school and youth groups. These two charming, interconnected resorts sit within the Galibier Thabor ski area, giving groups access to 160km of varied terrain, excellent snow reliability, and a modern lift network that makes exploring the whole valley smooth and straightforward. Valloire combines traditional Alpine character with a lively village atmosphere, offering plenty of cafés, shops, and activities to enjoy after skiing. Valmeinier, by contrast, provides a more purpose‑built, ski‑in/ski‑out environment — ideal for maximising time on the slopes and keeping logistics simple for larger groups.
Features
The Galibier Thabor ski area offers an impressive 160km of pistes, served by 30 modern lifts and featuring 1,320m of skiable vertical. With terrain perfectly suited to beginners, intermediates, and advanced skiers, it’s a fantastic destination for school and group trips looking for variety and progression. Renowned for its excellent snow reliability, the area benefits from over 400 snow cannons, ensuring optimal coverage throughout the season from December to April.
Located on the south side of the Maurienne Valley in the Savoie region of the French Alps, the resort offers convenient access and a short transfer from Grenoble, Chambéry, and Geneva airports, making it ideal for smooth and stress‑free school travel.
Piste Distance
160 kms of piste
Resort Height
Valmeinier 1800m Valloire 1450m
Direction of Slopes
North & South
Number of Ski Lifts
30
Lift Pass
Covers both Valloire and Valmeinier
Number of Runs
16
33 
33 
8 
Longest run
6.8 km
Highest Lift
2,750 m
Snowmaking
70%
Lift Pass Area
Galibier Thabor ski area
Emergency Services
local medical centres in both Valloire and Valmeinier & hospital is located in Saint‑Jean‑de‑Maurienne
Transfers
Approximately 1.5hrs from Grenoble Airport (TRN); 12hrs from Calais by coach
ACCOMMODATION
Hotel Les Carrettes in Valmeinier 1800 offers ski‑in/ski‑out access opposite lifts and ski school. Its central location, group rooms, terraces with mountain views, and communal spaces make it ideal for secondary school ski groups.
- In-house ski storage
- On site - restaurant
- Games room
Located in quiet Valmeinier 1500, this auberge is ideal for coach groups, just 200m from the slopes. Nearby lifts access beginner runs and the 160km Galibier Thabor area. Comfortable en‑suite rooms and communal spaces support relaxed group stays.
- Sun Terrace
- Restaurant
- Games room
The Hotel Les Essarts in Valloire is ideal for school ski trips: with ensuite rooms, free WiFi, and ski‑to‑door access. Students enjoy a terrace, games areas, and on‑site restaurant.
- Slopeside
- On site - restaurant
- Games room
Hotel Les Carrettes in Valmeinier 1800 offers ski‑in/ski‑out access opposite lifts and ski school. Its central location, group rooms, terraces with mountain views, and communal spaces make it ideal for secondary school ski groups.
- In-house ski storage
- On site - restaurant
- Games room
Located in quiet Valmeinier 1500, this auberge is ideal for coach groups, just 200m from the slopes. Nearby lifts access beginner runs and the 160km Galibier Thabor area. Comfortable en‑suite rooms and communal spaces support relaxed group stays.
- Sun Terrace
- Restaurant
- Games room
The Hotel Les Essarts in Valloire is ideal for school ski trips: with ensuite rooms, free WiFi, and ski‑to‑door access. Students enjoy a terrace, games areas, and on‑site restaurant.
- Slopeside
- On site - restaurant
- Games room
Trip details
- Bowling — 6 lane bowling in the Le Mafayo bowling centre, with TV screens for sporting events and amusement games
- Outdoor ice-skating — Skating Philippe Candeloro
- Escape Rooms — In Valmeinier. Choice of 3 escape rooms to work as a team to escape from.
- Pizza Night — Valmeinier or Valloire. Enjoy a night of pizza after a hard day on the slopes.
- Crepe Night — Valmeinier or Valloire. Enjoy an after skiing crêpe with hot chocolate.
If you have an excursion in mind for your ski trip that you don't see listed here, please get in touch and our friendly team will do their best to arrange it for you.
All Equity packages are tailor-made to suit the needs of our groups. Here are our standard package inclusions:
- Return travel by air or coach (air packages include overseas airport transfer. Coach to UK airport from school is available as an optional extra)
- All security charges, airport and local taxes
- Tourist tax (applicable to anyone aged 16+ at the time of arrival)
- 1 free staff place for every 10 full paying passengers by air, OR 1 free staff place for every 8 full paying passengers by coach
- Full-board accommodation
- Hot lunches at the mountain
- Ski storage at the mountain
- Dedicated resort representative service
- Full use of your coach in resort (coach groups only and subject to EU drivers hours regulations)
- Lift pass. Supplements are payable for extension areas in some resort
- 5 or 6 days of ski tuition (minimum 4 hours per day. Additional tuition is available for a supplement)
- Skis, boots and poles
- Helmets
- 24-hour emergency service
- All travel documentation, luggage labels and resort information
- Evening entertainment (If not included in your package)
- Ski carriage. If you are taking your own ski/board boots, these will need to be packed as luggage. Please note that ski carriage is an additional charge which can only be paid at check-in
- Meals en-route. While travelling to and from your destination, you'll need to consider meals for your group as these are not included in the package prices
- Instructors. A mixed group of ski or snowboarders and/or mixed abilities will impact the number of instructors required for your group and the price
- Air passenger duty. Any paying passengers over the age of 16 at the time of travel will be charged a small tax fee
Prices are subject to change based on intended dates of travel and final numbers, the Equity team are here to offer you advice and guidance from start to finish, ensuring your school trip runs smoothly and is a great success.
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Frequently Asked Questions about School Ski Trips to Valloire & Valmeinier
Why choose Valloire and Valmeinier for a school ski trip?
Valloire and Valmeinier offer excellent value for school ski trips, with access to over 160km of linked pistes across the Galibier-Thabor ski area. The resorts are known for their friendly atmosphere, varied terrain and excellent facilities for beginner, intermediate and advanced student skiers. Schools benefit from high-quality ski tuition, reliable snow conditions and shorter transfer times than many larger Alpine destinations.
Is Valloire suitable for beginner school skiers?
Yes. Valloire is particularly popular with schools because of its extensive beginner areas, wide nursery slopes and well-organised ski schools. Students new to skiing can quickly build confidence in a safe and supportive environment before progressing to longer runs across the mountain.
Can experienced students enjoy skiing in Valloire and Valmeinier?
Absolutely. While the resorts are ideal for beginners, advanced skiers will find challenging red and black runs, off-piste opportunities with qualified guides and varied terrain throughout the Galibier-Thabor ski area. This makes the destination suitable for mixed-ability school groups.
How snow-sure is the Valloire-Valmeinier ski area?
The Galibier-Thabor ski area reaches altitudes of over 2,600 metres, helping to maintain good snow coverage throughout the ski season. The resorts also benefit from extensive snowmaking facilities, which support piste conditions during periods of limited natural snowfall.
How does a school ski trip to Valloire support student development?
School ski trips help students build resilience, confidence and independence while developing physical fitness and teamwork skills. Learning a new sport in a mountain environment encourages students to challenge themselves and gain valuable life experiences outside the classroom.
Why do teachers choose Valloire and Valmeinier year after year?
Teachers value the resorts' consistent snow conditions, reliable ski instruction, excellent accommodation options and strong value for money. The balance of quality skiing, student enjoyment and manageable logistics has made Valloire and Valmeinier a long-standing favourite among UK school groups.
What age groups are best suited to school ski trips in Valloire?
Valloire and Valmeinier are ideal for secondary school students, although they can also accommodate younger groups. The combination of safe learning areas, varied pistes and engaging evening activities makes the resorts suitable for a wide range of ages and abilities.
What should students pack for a school ski trip to Valloire?
Students should pack waterproof ski clothing, gloves, warm layers, sunglasses or goggles, sunscreen and suitable footwear for snowy conditions. Schools often provide comprehensive packing guides to help students prepare for their trip.
What makes Valloire different from larger French ski resorts?
Valloire combines extensive skiing with a traditional Alpine village atmosphere. Unlike some larger, purpose-built resorts, it offers authentic French mountain culture while still providing the facilities and ski terrain required for a successful school ski trip.
