Free ski lessons in the French Pyrenees

L’Ancienne Poste, in the village of Avajan in the French Pyrenees, is providing free ski lessons for week-long holidays booked for the months of January and March 2014.

The lessons will be taught by the English owner of the lodge, James Dealtry, who was the first-ever non-French national to be employed by the Ecole Ski Française (he instructed for 15 years in the Alpine resort of Val d’Isere before purchasing and renovating the Pyrenean lodge).

Anyone who has had ski instruction from both a European ski school instructor, and someone who speaks English as a first language, will know what an enormous difference it makes.

Comments James, “There are some fantastic teachers in the various Alpine ski schools but no matter how fluent in English they might be, it just isn’t the same as having technique explained by someone who speaks English as their mother tongue.

“The slopes of the Pyrenees are also far quieter than those of the Alps, making them ideal for concentrating on technique – and the lift passes are much cheaper – and removes the constant worry that beginners have of being knocked over by another out of control skier.”

L’Ancienne poste is within a ten-minute drive of three ski resorts; Val Louron (which is perfect for beginners), St. Lary, and Peyragudes. It is also under 20 minutes from the resort of Piau-Engaly.

A week’s stay in January or March 2014 costs from €890 pp (two sharing) which includes seven nights’ B&B, canapés followed by a four course dinner with wine/beer on six nights, and three hours of free tuition from James on six days.

Lift passes and flights not included but the area is well served by three main airports Pau, Lourdes-Tarbes and Toulouse, which can be accessed using low cost airlines such as Easyjet or Ryanair. Transfers are available on request at a supplement.

For further information, visit ancienneposteavajan.com.