Chamonix Mont-Blanc · Nordic ski instructor since 1999
Chamonix Cross Country Skiing offers private cross-country ski and biathlon lessons in Chamonix with Richard Etellin, an independent French state-qualified instructor, born in Chamonix. Lessons are in English or French, from your first steps in classic to improving your skating.
5.0
84 Google reviews
€140
1.5-hour private lesson, 1 to 2 people
“Patient, clear instructions, knowledgeable and made it fun!”
Rosie L., Google review · Read the reviews
State-qualified
Trained at ENSA in Chamonix
5.0 on Google
84 reviews
27 years
teaching skiing, since 1999
English, French
lessons in both languages
Activities
Three things to do in Chamonix in winter, in private lessons, on request. 2026-2027 winter rates, not including equipment or trail pass.
€140 1 h 30
Classic or skating, beginner or advanced. A 1.5-hour lesson, a half day or a full day on the trails of the Chamonix valley.
€140 1 h 30, 1 to 2 people
€280 2 h
Cross-country skiing and shooting on a real biathlon range, with air rifles: one of the Chamonix winter sports you can try with no experience.
€280 2 h, 1 to 2 people
€250 ½ day
A walk guided by a qualified mountain leader, for a half day or a full day, for the whole family from age 10.
€250 half day
Who it is for
Visiting Chamonix in winter? Among Chamonix winter sports, cross-country skiing suits beginners, athletes and families: each lesson follows your level.
First lesson: balance, glide and the classic stride, on trails chosen for your level.
Trail runners, cyclists, triathletes: Richard breaks down the skating step, movement by movement.
Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in Chamonix as a family activity, and biathlon as a family, from age 8.
A Chamonix stag do or hen do, or team building in Chamonix for your company: a team biathlon challenge, on quote.
An independent instructor
It is just you, or the two of you, with Richard. The lesson follows your level, not the level of a group.
You book with the person who will teach you, online or on the contact and booking page. A question, a change of time: you call him or message him on WhatsApp.
Rental at the partner shop, opposite the trails, and trail pass at the Maison nordique: Richard tells you where to go on the cross-country ski trails in Chamonix. You meet him at the start of the trails, making your own way there. To rent cross-country ski equipment (skis, boots and poles), Richard helps you choose at the shop: a sporting activity that starts with the right gear.
Your instructor
His family has lived in Chamonix for several generations. Richard has been teaching skiing in the Mont Blanc valley since 1999, to adults and children alike. He also coaches at the Lycée Frison-Roche, a secondary school in Chamonix.
He has finished UTMB races and the Mont-Blanc Marathon several times, and he has also raced the Transjurassienne and the Foulée Blanche on cross-country skis. Chamonix Cross Country Skiing is the name under which he teaches, as an independent instructor.
27
years teaching skiing in the valley, since 1999
Trained at ENSA in Chamonix and at CNSNMM in Prémanon.
Google reviews
5.0
84 reviews on the Google listing
checked on 16 October 2026
Step by step
1
Online, by phone or on WhatsApp. Paying when you book holds your time slot: nothing to pay on the day.
2
You agree on the place with Richard when you book. In Chamonix, he may meet you at the partner shop, Intersport Chamonix Nord, to choose together the equipment that suits the snow and the weather. You meet him at the start of the trails, making your own way there. Access to the trails is on foot or by car from the town centre, and cross-country skiing there needs no ski lifts.
3
Each movement is broken down step by step: the diagonal stride in classic, the skating step in skating.
4
You leave with the right routes and exercises to enjoy the rest of your stay. To go further, a cross-country ski course in Chamonix prepares you for a race or a goal, in one 1.5-hour session or several.
Prices
Price per lesson, not per person. Equipment and trail pass not included.
| Activity | Lesson or session | Half day | Full day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cross-country skiing, 1 to 2 people + €25 per extra person, up to 6, except for the full day | €140 1 h 30 | €270 3 h | €580 6 h, up to 4 people |
| Biathlon, 1 to 2 people 2-hour session only | €280 2 h | — | — |
| Biathlon group, 3 to 7 people 3: €290 · 4: €290 · 5: €350 · 6: €420 · 7: €490 | €290 to €490 2 h | — | — |
| Snowshoeing, 1 to 3 people + €25 per extra person, 5 maximum | — | €250 | from €450 |
2026-2027 winter rates.
Nordic areas
For Chamonix cross-country skiing, the Bois du Bouchet trails start at the Maison nordique, where you buy your trail pass. The partner shop is opposite. Three cross-country ski trails are groomed there for both techniques, classic and skating: a green one of 3 km, a blue one of 6.3 km and a red one of 11.7 km. The trail map is on the trails page.
The Nordic area at the lower end of the valley, to vary your routes during your stay.
The Nordic area at the upper end of the valley. Discovery days can also cross the border to Val Ferret, on the Italian side.
Gifts · groups
A cross-country ski lesson, a biathlon taster session or a snowshoe outing, to give for Christmas or a birthday, valid for the whole winter.
Give an outing →
A team biathlon challenge: an introduction to skiing and shooting, then a final relay. The price depends on the size of the group.
Ask for a quote →
Questions
No. Richard teaches many beginners, and he chooses trails that suit your technical level, as he does for advanced skiers. Of all the Chamonix winter activities, cross-country skiing is one you can discover with no experience at all: first you put on one ski, then the other, and you learn to get up on your own. In Chamonix, cross-country skiing for beginners starts at the Bois du Bouchet, which you can reach on foot or by car from the town centre. To learn cross-country skiing, Richard recommends a half day or a 1.5-hour lesson. At Christmas, a first lesson also makes a good present with a cross-country skiing gift voucher.
Classic is the traditional technique, also called the diagonal stride, with the skis parallel. Skating, or skate skiing, uses the movement of an ice skater: it is more physical, and it appeals to athletes who come from trail running or cycling, and to young people. Are you new to cross-country skiing? The first lesson covers balance, glide and the classic stride. Richard advises you according to your level and what you would like to do, and he can let you try both. At the partner shop in Chamonix, classic skis and skating skis are rented separately. To learn skate skiing, as in a cross-country ski lesson in Chamonix in classic style, each movement is broken down step by step.
No. In Chamonix, cross-country skiing, also called Nordic skiing or XC skiing, is a different sport from downhill skiing: it combines glide, balance and stamina, on groomed trails. Richard does not teach downhill skiing: with him, Chamonix skiing means cross-country skiing. As a cross-country ski instructor in Chamonix, he teaches classic and skating, and he offers biathlon taster sessions, an unusual activity in Chamonix. Downhill skiers who want another way of skiing in the Mont Blanc area enjoy it too, and cross-country skiing is recommended after a knee injury. Would you rather not ski at all? Here is what to do in Chamonix without skiing: a snowshoe outing with a mountain leader.
A biathlon taster session: cross-country skiing, then shooting with air rifles, on a real biathlon range, like the champions. You do not need to have tried either sport before, and the session can be done on skis or on foot. The taster lasts 2 hours: €280 for 1 to 2 people, €290 to €490 for 3 to 7 people. It is an original family activity to share. Everything is explained on the biathlon in Chamonix page. With friends, for a stag or hen do, the team biathlon challenge is another unusual idea, in costume if you wish.
Among Chamonix activities in winter, cross-country skiing and biathlon are for adults and children alike. Richard has been teaching skiing to all levels since 1999, and he also coaches young people at the Lycée Frison-Roche. In cross-country skiing, lessons are possible from age 6; his oldest cross-country ski student was 86. To find out at what age to start cross-country skiing, the simplest way is to talk to him. For an original activity with children, think of biathlon as a family: Richard uses air rifles, which are less suitable for young children: biathlon lessons are open from age 8.
No. Richard does not provide or rent out equipment, but he advises you before the lesson. For Chamonix cross-country skiing, skis are rented at the partner shop, Intersport Chamonix Nord, opposite the start of the trails: Richard can meet you there to choose together the equipment that suits the snow and the weather.
The trail pass is sold at the Maison nordique, just opposite, and it covers the Nordic areas of Chamonix, Argentière and Vallorcine. For a day on the trails in Chamonix, France, in winter, bring breathable clothing, gloves, a hat and sunglasses. For biathlon, the rifles, targets and mats are provided. Cross-country ski hire in Chamonix is explained in the practical information, and Chamonix ski instructor prices do not include equipment or the trail pass.
The amount paid when you book is non-refundable, except with a medical certificate; no transfer to another day. Weather alone is not a reason to cancel: if the lesson goes ahead, there is no refund and no new date, but the programme may change because of the weather or for safety. If Richard is not available, you may be offered a new date, another state-qualified instructor or a refund of the lesson. For Chamonix activities in winter, insurance that covers cancelled lessons is a good idea, for example Carré Neige with your pass. The details are in article 7 of the terms and conditions (in French).
Yes. Richard teaches in English and in French: many of his Google reviews are written in English, and one of them praises his excellent English. Cross-country ski and biathlon lessons in Chamonix are given in the language that suits you, from your first steps to skating. Richard also speaks Italian, but not fluently yet. Visiting Chamonix in winter from abroad? You can prepare your stay on the English website of Chamonix Cross Country Skiing, and ask Richard your questions before you arrive. His background is on the Richard Etellin page, and you can contact the cross-country ski instructor in Chamonix online, by phone or on WhatsApp.
Book
Choose the activity, the length and the date, then pay online. Would you rather talk to Richard?
Online booking
Choose the activity or the formula, then the line for your group size: the price is shown. The “Book” button opens Richard’s calendar in a new tab, to choose the day and time; you then enter your details on the secure booking page (in French).
Up to 4 people
€580
6 hours, from 9:00 to 16:30. More than 4 people: contact Richard.
Race and marathon · 1 to 2 people
€150
Skating · 1 to 2 people
€150
Cardio, triathlon or marathon · 1 to 2 people
€150
1.5-hour session, from age 12. Several dates or more than 2 people: contact Richard.
Introduction · 1 to 2 people
€280
Group · 3 people
€290
Group · 4 people
€290
Group · 5 people
€350
Group · 6 people
€420
Group · 7 people
€490
2-hour session, at 12:30 or 14:30, from age 8. Family of 3 or 4 (parents and children): price on request. More than 7 people: contact Richard for a quote.
Half day · 1 to 3 people
€250
Half day · 4 people
€275
Half day · 5 people
€300
3 hours, in the morning (9:00) or the afternoon (13:30), from age 10, up to 5 people. Full day: on request, from €450 (ask for a full day).
