Learn to Ski in Aletsch Arena
The Aletsch Arena is great for learning to ski or snowboard and offers four ski schools. Riederalp, Bettmeralp, and Fiescheralp each have an official Swiss ski and snowboard school offering group lessons for children and private lessons for adults from beginner to expert level. Additionally, Snow Passion in Bettermeralp is a small independent ski school.
Official Swiss Ski Schools in Aletsch Arena
Three Swiss ski schools, recognisable by their red and white outfits, offer a wide range of lessons and snow sports activities, including skiing, snowboarding, freestyle, and freeriding. Each ski school’s group lessons for children follow the Swiss Snow League programme. Private lessons are offered for adults one-on-one or in small groups of 1-4, plus an additional fee for each extra person. Additionally, they provide private lessons in Telemark, cross-country skiing, ski touring, snowshoeing, and guided tours on the Aletsch Glacier at certain times of the year.
The Swiss ski schools in Riederalp and Fiescheralp offer strong programmes for children, while the Swiss Ski School in Fiescheralp is better suited for more experienced skiers. Nevertheless, all three ski schools maintain a high standard, and because each village is approximately 3 km apart, the apparent degree of choice is greater than it actually is.
Swiss Ski & Snowboard School, Riederalp
Aletsch Arena Ski School Riederalp Swiss Ski School © Ultimate-Ski.com
Riederalp’s Swiss Ski & Snowboard School has a team of over 75 instructors who offer group lessons in skiing and snowboarding for children and teenagers and private lessons for 1 to 4 adults. The ski school office is located opposite the Coop in the heart of Riederalp, mid-way between Riederalp West and Moosfluh Talstation, with a meeting point 250 m away next to the Hotel Alpenrose. Dynamic pricing for group courses allows you to benefit from early bird prices if you book 15 days or more prior to the course.
Childcare & Ski Lessons for Children
Lessons and courses for children include 2-3 hours of Ski Snowgarden for toddlers aged 3-4 years and children with no previous experience. Children accompanied by an adult may also utilise the Snowgarden without enrolling in a course for a small fee. All group lessons for children follow the Swiss Snow League system. Blue, Red, and Black levels for children aged five and older. More advanced Gold-level courses, including freestyle, are available for teens aged 13 to 15 and 16+. Snowboarding lessons are available for children aged 7 years and older. Group lessons are for 3 hours from 10 am to 1 pm, Monday to Friday, subject to a minimum of 4 participants.
Private Ski Lessons for Adults
Adults can reserve private lessons for up to four participants for two or 2½ hours from 1:30 pm Monday to Friday and in the mornings and afternoons at weekends. Whole-day private instructors or guides are available upon request. Additionally, adapted snow sports lessons for individuals with disabilities and private lessons in cross-country skiing, Telemark skiing, snowshoeing, and ski touring, including guided ski tours on the Aletsch Glacier, are provided.
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 9 am to 12 pm and 1 pm to 5 pm.
Address: Swiss Ski & Snowboard School, Bahnhofstrasse 4, CH-3987, Riederalp.
Swiss Ski & Snowboard School, Bettmeralp
Aletsch Arena Ski Schools Bettmeralp Swiss Ski School © Ultimate-Ski.com
The Swiss Ski & Snowboard School Bettmeralp has a team of 10+ snow sports instructors who offer ski and snowboard lessons in groups and private sessions and take pride in delivering a personalised service. The ski school office is located in the heart of the village.
Childcare & Ski Lessons for Children
The kids programme includes the Snow Kids Village for little ones from 3 years, the Blue League for kids aged 4-5 years, and the Red and Back Leagues for more advanced skiers and snowboarders. On completing the Swiss Snow League levels, teenagers can progress to the Swiss Snow Academy, which includes skiing without limits on and off-piste or turns, tricks and airs in the snow park and the pipe. Highlights for the youngest skiers include the Snowgarden and Prinzenland with souvenir photos and group lessons for children following the Swiss Snow League system.
Adult Ski Lessons
Adult ski lessons are available for all ability levels and a wide range of activities, including skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, telemark skiing, freestyle, freeride, ski touring, and snowshoeing. Lessons are available in English, French and German.
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 9 am to 12 pm and 1 pm to 5 pm.
Address: Swiss Ski School Bettmeralp, Hauptsrasse 107, CH-3992, Bettmeralp.
Swiss Ski & Snowboard School, Fiesch
Aletsch Arena Swiss Ski School © RS Barbara
The Swiss Ski & Snowboard School Fiesch has a team of 40 snow sports instructors, several of whom also have the Bergführer qualification for mountain guiding. Lessons start from the ski school meeting point near the Hotel Eggishorn in the centre of Fiescheralp.
Childcare & Ski Lessons for Children
A ski kindergarten is available for children from 2 years of age for 1-3 hours per day, Monday to Friday, between 10 am and 1 pm, and Snowgarden for children from 3 years, which includes progression from playful activities to first ski experiences, from 2 pm to 4 pm, Monday to Friday. Group skiing and snowboarding lessons for children follow the Swiss Snow League system of Blue, Red and Black Leagues, progressing to the Swiss Snow Academy (ski racing, freestyle and freeride) for teenagers. Minimum 3-4 persons and from 10 am to 1 pm. Monday to Friday. The highlight of every week is a ski race every Thursday for little ones in the Snowgarden, followed by an awards ceremony every Friday.
Adult Ski Lessons
Adult group lessons in skiing and snowboarding are available for all abilities, from novice to expert. They include off-piste and safe skiing in deep snow, subject to a minimum of 4 persons per group, Monday through Friday from 10 am to 1 pm.
Private Lessons
Private lessons in skiing, snowboarding, telemark, carving and backcountry are available one-to-one or in small groups of 1-4 people, plus an extra charge for each additional person.
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and 12:45 pm to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm Sunday, and closed on Saturday.
Address: Swiss Ski & Snowboard School Fiesch, Fiescheralp 4, CH-3984 Fiesch.
Snow Passion Ski School, Bettmeralp
Alestch Arena Snow Passion Ski School © Snow Passion Ski School
Snow Passion is a small, independent ski school with just two instructors. It offers private instruction for adults and children, one-on-one or in small groups. Lesson options include hourly lessons between 9 am and 4 pm or five hours of instruction, daily for 1-2 people or 3-4 people and, if more than four people, an extra fee for each additional person. Lessons are available in English, French, German and Italian.
The ski school has meeting points at the Schoenbiel chairlift and the Laeger and Blausee chairlifts. Opening hours: 8:30 am to 6:30 pm Monday to Friday and 1 pm to 6:30 pm Saturday and Sunday. Address: Snow Passion, Laerchenweg 12, CH-3992, Bettmeralp.
Aletsch Mountain Guides
The Aletsch Mountaineering Centre is an association of 14 experienced mountain guides who guide mountaineering, hiking, ski touring, and deep snow experiences. These include 1-day and multi-day ski tours in the Aletsch Arena, Jungfrau, Monte Rosa, the Haute Route (Zermatt to Chamonix) and other itineraries. They also offer training days and weekends for ski-touring beginners. They operate from the Volken Sports shop and café at the valley station of the Fiesch-Fiescheralp gondola.
Opening hours: daily, Monday to Sunday, from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Address: Bergsteigerzentrum Aletsch, Fieschertalstrasse 1, CH-3984 Fiesch.