An International Team United by a Passion for Mountain Sports
Hailing from France, the UK, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, and beyond, our ski and snowboard instructors form a cosmopolitan and close-knit team.
Having lived in France for many years, they have become true “adopted French” locals, perfectly integrated into the community. They speak multiple languages and understand the expectations of international clients.
All are certified by the French State Diploma, recognised as one of the most demanding in the world. They are committed to providing technical, safe teaching that is also joyful, relaxed, and authentic.
Their goal is not just to help you progress, but to share their passion, create a strong human connection, and make you love the mountain in all its forms.
Ski & Snowboard Instructors in Tignes, Val d'Isère, and Sainte-Foy
No matter where you’re staying, you can count on quality support.
Looking for a ski instructor in Tignes Le Lac, a ski teacher in Tignes Val Claret, a children’s guide in Val d’Isère, or a private lesson in Sainte-Foy?
Snocool offers experienced, welcoming, and passionate instructors.
They know the specifics of the ski areas they explore every day. They guide you safely, introduce you to hidden spots, give you the best advice based on your level, and adapt to all situations: difficult snow, fatigue, fear, or a desire for something new.
Teaching, Listening, and Personalisation
Every private ski or snowboard lesson at Snocool is a customised experience.
Our instructors adapt their methods to your pace, your needs, and your personality.
Whether you are:
- A beginner adult or child
- Returning after an injury or long break
- A freerider seeking challenging lines
- A freestyler curious about the snowpark
- A parent looking for a gentle approach for your child
…we have an instructor who will accompany you with kindness, efficiency, and good humour.
Discover Our Profiles
Our strength? The diversity of our instructors.
Some excel in teaching young children, with a playful and patient approach. Others specialise in freeriding, carving, telemark, or managing fear in adults.
All share the same commitment: to give you an enjoyable, useful, and memorable experience.
Browse our gallery of profiles to discover who might be your next guide. You’ll find anecdotes, photos, and the teaching style of each instructor—helping you choose the one that truly suits you.
Misha
Misha is there, always ready to adjust with a smile in her voice and remarkable efficiency.
Patrick
Although British by nationality, Pat grew up in Sainte-Foy, which probably makes him the most local member of the team! He knows every corner of the ski area, especially off-piste and ski touring routes. A passionate mountain lover, he spends a huge amount of time away from the pistes, but he is also excellent with very young beginners on the slopes. He says it gives him a rest!
Testimony - Yawen Xi :
I simply wanted to say a big THANK YOU to our guide, Patrick.
We had an amazing freeride experience and truly enjoyed every moment. We hope he had a great time too, guiding us and sharing some fantastic runs with us.
Thomas
Thomas is the true Swiss army knife of our team!
Versatile and comfortable with all ages and all disciplines, he can do everything… and he does it very well. What he loves most of all is off-piste skiing and ski touring, which have become his real speciality over the years.
A member of Snocool for 15 years, Thomas is one of the pillars of the team, valued as much for his experience as for his passion for the mountains.
Testimony - Ian Williams :
Tom was great. The kids enjoyed his company and said he mixed skiing and instruction well. He was punctual and flexible with pick up points. Great service!
Patrick
Patrick is a true Snocool icon.
An essential member of the team for 20 years, he is one of those instructors who leaves a lasting impression long after the holiday is over. Always giving 200%, he throws himself into everything: he talks, tells stories, motivates and shares his boundless energy with children and adults alike… and it works every time!
With his dynamism, humour and unique personality, he creates far more than a simple ski lesson: he creates a real experience.
To book Bulle (his nickname which doesn’t sound right in english!), it is best to plan ahead…
Testimony - Carla Mladenović :
For the second year in a row, my boyfriend and I returned for a few hours of lessons, and once again we had an amazing experience.
Last year we had Fred, who was fantastic, and this year we had Patrick, who we simply cannot praise enough. He has a real talent for sharing his knowledge in a clear and effective way. On top of that, he is friendly, incredibly patient, and very understanding. A phenomenal instructor in every sense of the word.
A huge thank you as well to Misha for always matching us with excellent instructors, especially this year.
See you next time! 🏂
Denis
An iconic figure in snowboarding in the 1990s, Denis remains a true reference in Sainte-Foy: probably the best snowboarder in the resort and an outstanding instructor in this discipline. At Snocool, we are proud to have him on the team. Denis teaches skiing as well, and he’s always in a great mood. What a joy to spend time on the slopes with him!
Testimony - Paul Anderson :
My partner has just completed her first week of skiing and lessons, and mission accomplished: she’s officially hooked on skiing!
Denis was an exceptional instructor.
Thank you to you, Denis, and Patrick! Sainte-Foy is a beautiful resort, and we’ll definitely be back!
Christel
Christel adapts to every type of guest: very young children, nervous mums, people recovering from old injuries and guests with disabilities. She takes on every challenge with enthusiasm and kindness.
A cheerful, highly skilled instructor with huge experience, Christel — or ‘Cristal’ as the British call her — is a precious and important part of Snocool.
Testimony - Stacey Sunley :
We could not have had a better experience with Snocool, from booking the lessons through Misha to the one to one lessons with Christelle. My son had never skied before but loved every minute of his lessons and watching his confidence grow over the course of the week was fabulous, he was skiing independently down the reds within a week! We couldn’t have chosen a more suited instructor and would highly recommend Snocool! We will definitely be going back!
Joelle
After many years teaching across the Tignes and Val d’Isère ski area, Joëlle chose the family atmosphere of Sainte-Foy, which she particularly loves. An experienced and wonderfully gentle instructor, she has been teaching with Snocool for over 10 years. Joëlle is truly talented!
Testimony - Phoebe :
Joelle was a brilliant ski instructor. She made our time very enjoyable and has a strong talent for teaching. I would highly recommend requesting her! I hope to have her as a ski teacher again when we’re back in Sainte-Foy. My partner also had Denis for snowboarding and he had a great time and was able to learn a lot. They were both spectacular! Highly recommend.
David
A lover of Sainte-Foy’s peaceful atmosphere, David is a passionate ski teacher and a true freestyle expert.
We entrust him with all our POP freeride and freestyle lessons: he loves them… and teenagers love them too! His energy, passion and way of teaching make every session both effective and fun. He is a real pleasure to watch.
Testimony - Annabelle Smith :
Top quality service from Davide and snocool. A good balance of taking the kids to a variety of places on and off piste and building a great rapport and fun with the kids whilst also pushing them to achieve.
Denis
Denis is passionate about teaching and loves sharing his technical vision of skiing, with precise, clear teaching adapted to each pupil. A true expert in his field, he passes on his knowledge calmly, in a relaxed way and always with a smile, simply because he deeply loves his job.
At Snocool, Denis is our go-to technical expert!
Testimony - Aine Buckley :
We had Denis Rose for two different sets of lessons, both with older children and with beginner skiers aged 6 to 7.
With both groups, Denis showed endless patience — especially with the younger children.
The weather was particularly snowy and windy during our stay. The lifts were closed on one of the days, but Denis still persevered and kept the children engaged and learning on the beginner slopes.
We are extremely grateful for his dedication and would highly recommend Snocool. The team was always very responsive to all of my requests, and Misha was fantastic in organising all of our lessons.
Thierry
Titi is a highly professional instructor with many years of experience — there really is nothing to fault! He will quickly become close to you and a trusted friend to your children.
Daniel
Daniel is calm, always smiling and highly educational, with a little touch of humour. His explanations are clear and he knows how to make his pupils feel at ease. Apparently, they keep asking for more… which is surely proof that skiing with him is a real pleasure.
Testimony - Chiyo Woodard :
Hi Misha,
We’ve just returned from a wonderful week of skiing, and I simply wanted to say a huge thank you to your fantastic team.
My daughter had an absolutely amazing week with Daniel during her private 2-hour lessons each day.
She started the week having never even worn a pair of ski boots before, and by the end of the week she was skiing red runs and had even had a taste of off-piste skiing!
Daniel was incredible. She learned so much from him and has now completely caught the skiing bug.
We look forward to seeing you all again next season.
Wishing you all a great end to the season and, hopefully, a slightly more relaxing summer!
Kind regards,
Chiyo & Olive
Cannelle
Behind her big smile is an exceptional snowboard instructor, passionate and full of talent. Since joining Snocool a few years ago, Cannelle has been a huge success: every lesson is a success and every pupil leaves with a smile.
Energetic, educational and deeply passionate, she shares her love of riding naturally and enthusiastically. What a privilege to love your job so much… and to share it every day. Quite simply, a beautiful life!
Testimony - Nichola Sceales :
Cannelle was a wonderful snowboard instructor for my teenage daughter, who was a beginner, and her friend.
She gave each student plenty of individual attention, and by the end of their lessons they had both learned new techniques and were confidently riding their snowboards.
Her lessons were full of fun and laughter. She even turned up one day wearing a wig and a mask, which the girls absolutely loved!
A fantastic instructor who made learning both enjoyable and rewarding.
Jaya
Originally from Tignes, she grew up in the heart of the mountains before spending three years in the United States, which means she now speaks impeccable English.
Currently training to become an instructor, she brings with her the latest teaching methods and freshly learned techniques. Dynamic, motivated and full of energy, she perfectly represents Snocool’s new generation.
The youngest… and certainly one of the brightest members of the team!
Testimony - Andrea Abdul-Haqq :
We visited Tignes for Xmas 2024. We booked a private lesson with Jaya and my 4 year old and then my 3 year old. She showed an incredible patience for my little one. She took the time to advance my 4 year old where he needed more help. We are so pleased with this experience. My son enjoys skiing even more and can’t wait for his next trip. Jaya also provided us with a video of my son maneuvering side to side down the mountain (he was not able to do that when we started). She was able to accomplish this in 3 days.
Leo
Léo is the intellectual of the team!
An instructor at Snocool from 2014 to 2019, he then moved to Seville to work as an architect. But he missed skiing too much… and finally returned to us in 2025, completely happy with this life choice.
Passionate about technique and teaching, Léo loves sharing a precise and thoughtful vision of skiing. He has even written a book on ski technique and teaching… Léo is seriously good!
Testimony - Anne Macwillson :
Kit had a fantastic time with Leo. The heavy snowfall made conditions quite challenging, but he loved every minute of it nonetheless.
We would highly recommend Snocool.
Misha was incredibly helpful throughout the whole process 😊
Steven
Passionate about skiing since childhood, Steven moved to the Tarentaise to live here all year round. With him, there is no language barrier: he knows how to put everyone at ease in just a few turns.
Steven loves taking guests off-piste and ski touring. A true lover of the region, he knows the Tarentaise like the back of his hand and always finds the best routes… and the best snow!
Testimony - Guy Hooper :
Had a day’s guiding with Steven one day and then an afternoon with Steven later in the week. Excellent. Professional, humble, supportive and friendly. Would definitely use again. Steven Groen is fantastic!
Julien
Julien is a real ray of sunshine on the slopes. With his infectious energy and sense of humour, he immediately relaxes the atmosphere and helps everyone feel confident. His lessons are as enjoyable as they are effective, always delivered in great spirits.
Bruno
Bruno embodies gentleness and calm. A mountain man at heart, he teaches with patience, attentiveness and professionalism. He is a great instructor who gets on well with everyone!
Testimony - Katharine Daubney :
Bruno was absolutely fantastic, with a teaching style that suited me perfectly and inspired confidence. Snocool instructors are supported by Misha who arranges everything and makes everything feel individual and tailored.
Testimony - Daniel Shaw :
Book your ski lessons with Snocool! They are very fast and efficient in the booking process. Misha is very helpful and will respond to any questions you have. My instructor Bruno was absolutely amazing, I highly recommend him. He made me feel so confident on the slopes and we conquered steep slopes (for me) in ease. Aside from that, he is also such a nice person who loves teaching and wants you to succeed.
Laurent
Laurent is coolness itself!
He knows how to teach skiing to everyone: children, adults, beginners and experts alike. With no particular preference, he adapts to every level, every personality and every mindset with impressive ease. Nothing scares him — quite the opposite: he enjoys taking on every challenge.
At Snocool, quality is above all built on experience… and Laurent has a huge amount to share after many years spent on the slopes.
René
People often say that big René is the kindest of all the instructors. He takes his time with you, using the technique that suits you best and explaining it with great kindness. If you lack confidence on skis, he is the one to ask for!
Testimony - Eli Papaoikonomou :
We would highly recommend Snocool and Rene as an instructor. Myself, my friends Diana and Philip beginner skiers found Rene to be extremely patient, technical, and methodical in his instruction. His forty years of experience as a ski instructor were very obvious in the disciplined approach he took to ensure we master control and technique before progressing to the next level. Importantly, he had a good level of English and was very pleasant to spend time with. We progressed from beginner to blue slopes in two days with Rene. Thank you Snocool and Misha for organising a fantastic two day ski lesson.
Giovanni "Gio"
Gio brings a unique touch to every lesson. With his boundless energy, creativity, and legendary good humour, he turns learning to ski into a fun and memorable experience.
Games, songs, challenges, and constant encouragement are all part of his approach to engaging children and helping them progress while having fun. Known for his kindness and willingness to help, he quickly builds trust and confidence with his students.
An excellent instructor and skilled technician, Gio is just as comfortable teaching children as he is adults. With enthusiasm, patience, and professionalism, he helps every skier achieve their goals while enjoying their time on the mountain.
Testimony - Dagmara Tirado :
My husband and I took private lessons with Giovanni (two hours each day), and we had a fantastic time.
Gio was incredibly friendly, approachable, and patient. He showed us how to improve our technique while constantly reminding us to have fun — something we often forget when we’re too focused on learning and improving.
Thank you, Misha, for arranging everything for us. We truly had an amazing time!
Norbert
Nono the Speedster!
Nono is passionate about snowsports and has a huge amount of experience: he was even Misha’s coach when she competed in snowboarding as a teenager! Dynamic and always full of good humour, his boundless energy is infectious. Excellent at both ski & snow.
Testimony - Emily C G :
Norbert was great! Very patient and helped me improve my technique in one afternoon. Merci beaucoup !!
Carole
Carole, the multi-talented clown of the team!
Carole is a great ski professional, but also the one who will bring plenty of fun to your week. With her, you will have an excellent time while making progress! Carole is our snowshoe guide for the ‘Under the Stars’ outing.
Steven "Stevo"
Stevo is a true snowboard pro!
Based in the Tarentaise for over 25 years, he has been teaching with passion for many years and speaks perfect French. In high demand, he often leads freeride and splitboard groups.
Testimony - Oleksiy Grushetsky :
My daughter recently took private snowboarding lessons: she enjoyed it a lot! Not only the instructor helped to improve her skills, but also gave confidence that she is ready for more difficult slopes.
Thanks Stevo and Snocool!
Fred
A lover of mountain outings, Fred organises off-piste trips in the heart of the Tarentaise valley, where nature reveals itself in all its splendour. Always looking for new sensations, he also offers ski adventures in remote destinations.
Testimony - Tudor Thomas :
Frederic guided my son and I today through rapidly changing conditions and visibility. We are mixed capabilities and outlook. He did an awesome job: found intro off piste initially to find our level and pushed the envelope in all ways, always looking for the best opportunity and connecting with us on differing levels. In 40 years of skiing, the best guide I have the pleasure of meeting. Tres bien!
Thomas
Thomas, Planet Zen!
Thomas never gets worked up! Even in tricky situations, he remains incredibly calm and zen. The result: all the children become attached to him. His secret? Quite simply, a love of teaching skiing!
Frederic
Fred the Educational Scientist!
Fred loves teaching down to the finest detail. His in-depth knowledge of snowboarding and skiing, along with his mastery of teaching techniques, make him a true expert. Calm and gentle, he knows how to build confidence.
Aymeric
Aymeric, the powder and nature enthusiast!
Aymeric has chosen his way of life: he only does off-piste! When he is not working, he is out on his skis or telemark skis, searching for the best slopes for himself. He is known as the best skier in Tignes! In summer, he works flat out so he can make the most of winter.
Yannick
Yannick, the team’s mountain guide!
Originally from Tignes, Yannick became a guide at a very young age. A true passionate professional, he will take you off-piste or ski touring and choose the best routes for your level.
Nils
The children and parents who have been skiing with Nils for several years will certainly recognise his famous mane!
Nils is passionate about snowboarding and loves teaching it.
Charming and reassuring, he is a favourite with ladies who feel nervous on the slopes, whether on skis or a snowboard!
Testimony - Hannou Jelil :
I had a fantastic time with Nils, who was incredibly patient, reassuring, and encouraging. He’s an excellent instructor, and I don’t regret putting my skis back on after 20 years at all!
Everything went smoothly, from booking via email with Misha—who was very responsive and provided all the information needed—right through to the end of my lesson.
A big thank you to Nils and Snocool! 🙂
François
François cares deeply about making every lesson a success, both technically and through the friendly atmosphere he creates. A very educational instructor, he explains things clearly while also being a real clown!
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