The best private instructors in Courchevel and Méribel are not booked evenly through the winter. A handful of weeks fill up first, and the rest of the season stays much easier. Knowing which is which saves a lot of stress.
The 2026/27 season at a glance
- Courchevel opens on 4 December 2026 and the Three Valleys ski area on 5 December 2026.
- The season closes on 18 April 2027.
Dates depend on snow, so always check the resort’s official website close to your trip.
The peak weeks
| Period | Dates 2026/27 | Who travels | Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas and New Year | French holidays 19 December 2026 to 4 January 2027 | Families from France, the UK and around the world | As early as possible |
| French winter holidays | 6 February to 8 March 2027, in three zones | French families | Two to three months ahead |
| UK February half-term | Mostly 15 to 19 February 2027 | British families | Two to three months ahead |
| Easter | Easter Sunday is 28 March 2027; many UK schools are off 26 March to 9 April | Families, sunny spring skiing | One to two months ahead |
The French winter holidays are split by zone: zone C from 6 to 22 February, zone A from 13 February to 1 March and zone B from 20 February to 8 March 2027. That is why February is busy for a whole month, not just one week.
How far ahead to book
- Christmas, New Year and February half-term: as soon as your dates are fixed. In the busiest weeks, well-known instructors are often booked months ahead, sometimes by guests who return every year.
- The rest of February and Easter: a few weeks to two months ahead is usually enough.
- Early December, January and late March: often possible a few days before, and these are some of the nicest weeks to ski, with quieter slopes.
Planning your days on the snow? Send us your dates and we reply with availability and a price.
Request a lessonThe quiet weeks are a secret worth knowing
January, outside the New Year week, is often cold, with good snow and quiet runs. Early December has the excitement of the new season. Late March and April bring long sunny days and soft spring snow. If your dates are flexible, these weeks give you more choice of instructor and more space on the slopes.
Our advice
- Fix your dates and resort first.
- Write to the instructor with the number of skiers, their ages and levels.
- For peak weeks, confirm with a deposit as soon as you are happy with the plan.
- Book the full day if you can: it gives the best progress for your time.
Not sure who to book? Read how to choose a private ski instructor in Courchevel, or ask us directly about private lessons in Courchevel and in Méribel.
