ski instructor val disere

Private Ski Lessons in Val d'Isere and Tignes

Tailor Made Ski Lessons and Off Piste Guiding to suit all levels from complete novices to advanced skiers

James Allen Ski Coaching

english ski instructor ski lessons val disere
With over 30 years knowledge of the ski area of Val d’Isere and Tignes, formerly known as the Espace Killy, coupled with numerous years of ski racing experience, I’m sure I can offer you the kind of high quality private ski lesson, coaching or Off Piste guiding that you’re looking for.

I’m fully qualified ski instructor and hold the BASI Level 4 ISTD qualification with full French Equivalence.

Following a junior school ski trip to Italy, I trained and competed regularly on the dry ski slope scene in the UK. The highlight of this was becoming England Junior Champion and representing my country on numerous occasions.
This led me onto Val D’Isere for the 91/92 season where I continued to train and compete on the international FIS circuit for the following 2 seasons.

I immediately fell in love with the resort and decided to make it my home and moved here full time up until 1999.
During that time and following on from my earlier Alpine racing seasons I competed briefly in moguls and then started to spend most of my time exploring the amazing off Piste that the Espace Killy has to offer.
I continued to regularly ski in Val D’Isere amongst other resorts the world over and since 2012 I’ve been based back here full time

Nowadays whenever possible I’ll be making the most of the awesome Off-piste that the Espace Killy has to offer including plenty of ski touring and helping clients of all levels improve their technique both on and off piste.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or queries you may have regarding your upcoming stay in Val D’Isere, whether it be skiing related or if you just need some advise on the resort, I’m happy to help.

Tailor Made Private Ski Lessons and Off Piste Guiding to suit all levels from complete novices to advanced skiers

With 28yrs knowledge of the ski area of Val d’Isere and Tignes, formerly known as the Espace Killy, coupled with numerous years of ski racing experience, I’m sure I can offer you the kind of high quality ski lesson, coaching or Off Piste guiding that you’re looking for.

I’m fully qualified and hold the BASI Level 4 ISTD qualification with full French Equivalence.

english ski instructor val disere tignes

Following a junior school ski trip to Italy, I trained and competed regularly on the dry ski slope scene in the UK. The highlight of this was becoming England Junior Champion and representing my country on numerous occasions.
This led me onto Val D’Isere for the 91/92 season where I continued to train and compete on the international FIS circuit for the following 2 seasons.

I immediately fell in love with the resort and decided to make it my home and moved here full time up until 1999.
During that time and following on from my earlier Alpine racing seasons I competed briefly in moguls and then started to spend most of my time exploring the amazing off Piste that the Espace Killy has to offer.
I continued to regularly ski in Val D’Isere amongst other resorts the world over and since 2012 I’ve been based back here full time

Nowadays whenever possible I’ll be making the most of the awesome Off-piste that the Espace Killy has to offer including plenty of ski touring and helping clients of all levels improve their technique both on and off piste.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or queries you may have regarding your upcoming stay in Val D’Isere, whether it be skiing related or if you just need some advise on the resort, I’m happy to help.

  • "James looked after my wife and I on consecutive days, and we both got considerable value from our time with him. We don't usually take private lessons but James had come recommended and I don't think either of us will ever go back to group lessons now!

    We both wanted different things from our lessons and James delivered in that respect. James was very patient, calm, helpful, clear in his instructions and his supreme knowledge of Val d'Isere ensured we got the best of our day too.

    We can thoroughly recommend James and expect to book him again next year." Alistair & Janine
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    “I skied with James for a week in March and had a wonderful experience. From the first time I contacted James by email he was extremely responsive and easy to communicate with. He went out of his way to meet me at my chalet every morning and was 100% professional and reliable throughout .

    He knows Tignes and Val D'isere ski areas intimately which made exploring the terrain so much more fun.

    The ski coaching was of the highest standards, he quickly honed in on my weaknesses and came up with drills and exercises to help me improve. The video analysis was also very helpful.

    Would not hesitate wholeheartedly recommending James and look forward to skiing with him again next season.” Tom Klein CT USA
  • We had a really good time. Although no real fresh powder, we were lucky with the weather and plenty of variable off-piste to ski on - and learn from.

    Have to say James was a really good coach - really got the balance right of pushing us, but not to the point where either of us felt really uncomfortable. Moreover, what a nice guy - very good company as well as a good instructor/guide; we'd definitely recommend him etc Transfers very comfortable and efficient.

    Hotel - clean, warm and comfortable (so all we really needed) and extremely convenient for the slopes.

    Overall therefore, a good all round trip. Thanks for organising

    In association with James Orr Heliski Off Piste Technique Clinics Stewart
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    Our Groups' Joint verdict:

    We felt that he was very easy going in his coaching style, yet very good at pin-pointing a few particular areas where improvements can be made. That doesn't mean that he didn't make us work hard though!... His friend has one of the best value restaurants in Tignes - just a bit off the main lift area so you have to know where to look.

    We have no doubt that the simple tips he gave improved our technique & the way he delivered his coaching hit home - a great communication ability.

    The money we paid was worth every penny & if ever we were in that area skiing again, we would be seeking further coaching from James

    Thanks
    Andy
  • "After being skiing a few times, but never having any lessons, I booked James for myself and my seven year old son for a week whilst in Val D’isere.

    We instantly warmed to his kind and friendly nature and he made us both feel very comfortable. He showed great skill in managing the two of us, who were at different levels, and made our lessons fun. He showed patience and humour, which was needed at times believe me and my son trusted him to help him develop and learn, even when he was nervous at times .

    It was well worth having private lessons and was money well spent. We will be back for sure. Highly recommend!" Sarah and Rafa
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    "It was brilliant getting your tuition the last few days. I only wish I'd skied with your group from day one, think I'd have seen a massive improvement this week if I'd done that.

    Feel like you've made a huge difference though in a really short space of time so big thank you! - need to get back into the Pilates before I come again so my thighs hold up! :-)

    Have a great weekend." Linda
  • "I met James during the the 2013/14 winter season in France whilst I was attending a military exercise in Val d'Isere. I started the exercise as a novice skier and eventually competed in the Infantry Ski Championships but the progress was painfully slow. Luckily James offered his services to the exercise taking on 10 of the worst skiers; including me. His instruction was first rate and we were soon travelling under control and at speed in no time. Our technique improved so much that we were able to return to training and eventually compete in all of the Alpine disciplines including the Downhill.

    I would highly recommend James as an instructor no matter your skill level. You might want to just improve your carving technique or, like me, you might want to take on a Super G. Either way, time spent with James will not disappoint."


    Yours aye,

    Marten P. Hall

    Sent from the back of beyond
  • "James looked after my wife and I on consecutive days, and we both got considerable value from our time with him. We don't usually take private lessons but James had come recommended and I don't think either of us will ever go back to group lessons now!

    We both wanted different things from our lessons and James delivered in that respect. James was very patient, calm, helpful, clear in his instructions and his supreme knowledge of Val d'Isere ensured we got the best of our day too.

    We can thoroughly recommend James and expect to book him again next year." Alistair & Janine
    My Image
  • My Image
    “I skied with James for a week in March and had a wonderful experience. From the first time I contacted James by email he was extremely responsive and easy to communicate with. He went out of his way to meet me at my chalet every morning and was 100% professional and reliable throughout .

    He knows Tignes and Val D'isere ski areas intimately which made exploring the terrain so much more fun.

    The ski coaching was of the highest standards, he quickly honed in on my weaknesses and came up with drills and exercises to help me improve. The video analysis was also very helpful.

    Would not hesitate wholeheartedly recommending James and look forward to skiing with him again next season.” Tom Klein CT USA
  • We had a really good time. Although no real fresh powder, we were lucky with the weather and plenty of variable off-piste to ski on - and learn from.

    Have to say James was a really good coach - really got the balance right of pushing us, but not to the point where either of us felt really uncomfortable. Moreover, what a nice guy - very good company as well as a good instructor/guide; we'd definitely recommend him etc Transfers very comfortable and efficient.

    Hotel - clean, warm and comfortable (so all we really needed) and extremely convenient for the slopes.

    Overall therefore, a good all round trip. Thanks for organising

    In association with James Orr Heliski Off Piste Technique Clinics Stewart
    My Image
  • My Image
    Our Groups' Joint verdict:

    We felt that he was very easy going in his coaching style, yet very good at pin-pointing a few particular areas where improvements can be made. That doesn't mean that he didn't make us work hard though!... His friend has one of the best value restaurants in Tignes - just a bit off the main lift area so you have to know where to look.

    We have no doubt that the simple tips he gave improved our technique & the way he delivered his coaching hit home - a great communication ability.

    The money we paid was worth every penny & if ever we were in that area skiing again, we would be seeking further coaching from James

    Thanks
    Andy
  • "After being skiing a few times, but never having any lessons, I booked James for myself and my seven year old son for a week whilst in Val D’isere.

    We instantly warmed to his kind and friendly nature and he made us both feel very comfortable. He showed great skill in managing the two of us, who were at different levels, and made our lessons fun. He showed patience and humour, which was needed at times believe me and my son trusted him to help him develop and learn, even when he was nervous at times .

    It was well worth having private lessons and was money well spent. We will be back for sure. Highly recommend!" Sarah and Rafa
    My Image
  • My Image
    "It was brilliant getting your tuition the last few days. I only wish I'd skied with your group from day one, think I'd have seen a massive improvement this week if I'd done that.

    Feel like you've made a huge difference though in a really short space of time so big thank you! - need to get back into the Pilates before I come again so my thighs hold up! :-)

    Have a great weekend." Linda
  • "I met James during the 2013/14 winter season in France whilst I was attending a military exercise in Val d'Isere. I started the exercise as a novice skier and eventually competed in the Infantry Ski Championships but the progress was painfully slow. Luckily James offered his services to the exercise taking on 10 of the worst skiers; including me. His instruction was first rate and we were soon travelling under control and at speed in no time. Our technique improved so much that we were able to return to training and eventually compete in all of the Alpine disciplines including the Downhill.

    I would highly recommend James as an instructor no matter your skill level. You might want to just improve your carving technique or, like me, you might want to take on a Super G. Either way, time spent with James will not disappoint."


    Yours aye,

    Marten P. Hall

    Sent from the back of beyond
private ski lessons tignes val disere

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James Allen - English Ski instructor in Val d’Isere

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