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Cross-country skiing, biathlon or snowshoeing: to book a Nordic ski instructor in Chamonix, contact Richard Etellin, who will teach you himself, and book directly with him. Online, by phone, on WhatsApp or by email, in English or French.
5.0
84 Google reviews · state-qualified instructor
“He did a great job teaching us at our level and we appreciated his excellent English.”
mary_kathryn, 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
Booking
Cross-country ski lesson, biathlon taster or snowshoe outing: choose the activity, the option and the date, then pay the 50% deposit. For cross-country skiing, say if you want classic or skating.
The deposit is non-refundable, except with a medical certificate; no transfer to another day. The availability shown will come from Richard’s own calendar, to avoid double bookings.
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).
Direct contact
No call centre and no middleman: at Chamonix Cross Country Skiing, you talk to your cross-country ski instructor, in English or French. You can reach him from 9 am to 6.30 pm; he replies to emails the same day, or within 24 hours at the latest.
Same number. Handy to send your dates, the number of people and your level.
For a detailed request: a group, a seminar or team building in Chamonix, a gift voucher for cross-country skiing or biathlon.
A question
Booking biathlon for a group, a Chamonix stag do, a lesson for the whole family? Describe your project: Richard will reply by email.
Reply by email
Your request goes straight to Richard, who replies by email.
Meeting point
The meeting place is agreed with Richard when you book. He may meet you at his partner shop, Intersport Chamonix Nord, opposite the start of the cross-country ski trails, to choose together the equipment suited to the snow and the weather: this is where you rent cross-country skis in Chamonix. Trail passes are sold at the Maison nordique.
The Nordic area at the lower end of the valley. For guided snowshoeing in the Chamonix valley, the Prarion is above the village.
The Nordic area at the upper end of the valley.
The exact place is given when you book. You meet him at the start of the trails, making your own way there.
What to bring
Richard does not provide equipment: no skis, no poles, no snowshoes. You rent everything from his partner shop in Chamonix.
Skis, poles and snowshoes are rented at Intersport Chamonix Nord, opposite the cross-country ski trails. You will find the rental prices at the shop.
Access to the cross-country ski trails in Chamonix is not included in the lesson price: each participant buys their trail pass at the Maison nordique, the Nordic centre at the start of the Chamonix trails (Nordic centre prices).
The air rifles, targets and mats are provided. You only rent cross-country skis, unless the session is on foot.
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, for the lesson and the half day | €140 1 h 30 | €270 3 h | €580 6 h, up to 4 people |
| Biathlon, 1 to 2 people 12:30-14:30 or 14:30-16:30 | €280 2 h | — | — |
| Biathlon, 3 to 7 people 3: €290 · 4: €290 · 5: €350 · 6: €420 · 7: €490 | €290 to €490 per group, 2 h | — | — |
| Snowshoeing | — | €250 | from €450 |
2026-2027 winter rates.
An independent instructor
Rather than a ski school, you book a Nordic ski instructor in Chamonix who works independently. On your own, as a couple or in a small group, the lesson follows your level, not the level of a class.
You book with the person who will teach you. A question, a change of time: call him or message him on WhatsApp.
Richard Etellin has been teaching skiing since 1999. He is a French state-qualified cross-country ski and biathlon instructor, and a mountain leader for snowshoeing.
Questions
As early as possible during the Christmas, February and March school holidays, and at weekends: this is the high season. Outside these periods, there is no minimum booking time. The season runs from the opening of the trails, in December, to the end of March or early April.
The terms and conditions say it too: during these periods, it is strongly recommended to book your lessons in advance. To hold a date, you can book a cross-country ski lesson in Chamonix online, then pay the 50% deposit. The availability shown will be Richard’s own calendar. Booking biathlon in Chamonix works the same way: the date, the number of people, then the deposit. A date coming up soon, or a question? Call Richard or send him a message on WhatsApp.
The 50% deposit paid when you book is non-refundable, except with a medical certificate; no transfer to another day. If the weather or safety requires it, Richard may change the programme; the weather alone does not give a right to postpone a lesson that goes ahead.
A lesson stopped because of an insufficient physical or technical level is neither refunded nor exchanged. If Richard cannot give your cross-country ski lesson in Chamonix for an unforeseeable reason, he may offer you a new date, another French state-qualified instructor or a refund. Lessons do not include insurance: the terms recommend “Carré Neige” when you buy your trail pass; check that it covers lesson cancellation. The deposit is also explained with the Chamonix ski instructor prices.
Google reviews
5.0
84 reviews on the Google listing
checked on 16 October 2026
