Looking for free on-the-mountain guiding and coaching? Look no further!
We're the only ski holiday company that offers free, professional ski guiding in Andorra, France and Italy throughout the season with fully qualified ski and snowboard instructors.
This isn't ski or board school, but your Mountain Experts are fully qualified ski and snowboard instructors local to your resort. There isn't much they don't know about the area, so you're in good hands.
Anyone over 12 years of age and a good blue or red run skier or snowboarder, our Mountain Experts will guide you around the slopes, whilst making you a more confident skier or snowboarder at the same time. All children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian when taking part in these sessions.
Each Mountain Expert session lasts around 2 hours, and we guarantee each guest a minimum of 2 Mountain Expert sessions per week. You may be able to book more throughout the week, depending on availability.
We aim to run at least 1 session a day for Mountain Collection hotel guests, and 2 or 3 a week for chalet hotel guests. Sessions can be run in the mornings or afternoons, so head to the Snow Brief on your first evening/morning in the resort and sign up for the sessions you fancy.
Guiding - Winter legs
As this may be your first time on snow in a year (or more), this is a great chance to warm those winter legs back up with a gentle introduction to the ski area at the start of the week.
Your Mountain Expert will show you the best runs and hot chocolate stops on the mountain, as well as going through the basics like your posture, body rotation and pressure on your edges - all whilst keeping things fun.
Guiding - Let 'em run
These guiding sessions are really fun. They're a chance to let your skis or board run and explore more of the area.
Your Mountain Experts worry less about the technique (unless you have any questions of course), and focus more on covering some miles.
Coaching - Drills & Skills
As the name suggests, these are coaching sessions where you can really focus on your technique and getting things right. You’ll head off to a quiet spot where your Mountain Expert will give you individual feedback on how to improve your skiing or snowboarding.
You can then practice, watch other guests and end the session with more confidence than you started with.
Neilson Mountain Collection
Our Mountain Collection is more than just a range of leading accommodation in top European ski resorts, exclusive to Neilson guests. Our hotels and chalet hotels are also the perfect places to relax and recharge after a long day on the slopes.
Here, you’ll also be able to arrange your free ski guiding and coaching service with our Mountain Experts - fully qualified ski and snowboard instructors, local to your resort.
Wherever you stay, you'll have access to the best parts of the mountain. Our team will be there to give you a warm welcome and offer expert advice, both on and off the slopes.
Take a look a what snowsports journalists think about our Mountain Experts service...
“I was not anticipating that the Mountain Expert sessions would change my opinion of ski schools, lead to riding a mountain I’d always dreamt about and having one of my favourite days on snow.” Chris Madigan – The Telegraph
“I had come to explore a new area, not expecting my skiing to improve. I left feeling my technique was far better.” Colin Nicholson – Ski & Board
Fantastic Half term holiday to Hotel Del Clos in El Tarter. Neilson staff all fantastic from mountain experts to kids club, hotel manager, reception, bar and restaurant staff. We had a great holdiay...
Fantastic Half term holiday to Hotel Del Clos in El Tarter. Neilson staff all fantastic from mountain experts to kids club, hotel manager, reception, bar and restaurant staff. We had a great holdiay and would thoroughly recommend it.
Neilson hotel Le Menuire & Spa - Mr Johannes Wassenberg
20 February 2025
What stands out at Neilson are the people - all the staff are extremely friendly and helpful, especially for a family holiday with children. Our girl loved the kids club and activities, and is keen to...
What stands out at Neilson are the people - all the staff are extremely friendly and helpful, especially for a family holiday with children. Our girl loved the kids club and activities, and is keen to go back. I also really appreciate the opportunity to go along with the Neilson Mountain Experts, as I would have otherwise had to ski on my own; with them, there is always a group of skiers from the hotel, and it is a great, social way to both explore the area and to get to know your fellow hotel guests. For these reasons, we have already been there twice and consider going back for a third time next year.
On the other hand, the hotel itself is a bit dated and the bedrooms and bathrooms could do with a revamp; it was very disappointing that the pool again wasn't heated properly this year, so rather than being a welcome oasis of warmth after a skiing day, you need the sauna to warm up after a dip in the pool. After we were told that it were some technical issues the first time, it became clear that it must be some permanent structural issues preventing the pool to be heated properly (and the windows were kept open as well at minus temperatures outside). So don't let the pool be the main attraction to you, as you will be disappointed.
Overall though, it was a great week, and I would recommend a week's skiing there! (clearly helped by being in the middle of an outstanding resort...)
We really enjoyed our week at Le Menuire with Neilson. Our 10 year old had a great time with Snowbusters team and ski school, my wife practiced her snowboarding on the free lifts nearby and I had a...
We really enjoyed our week at Le Menuire with Neilson. Our 10 year old had a great time with Snowbusters team and ski school, my wife practiced her snowboarding on the free lifts nearby and I had a great time exploring the three valleys with the Neilson Mountain Experts. Food was good and plentiful and the spa and pool were ideal after a day on the piste. It could only be better if we could fly from Scotland!
