Chamonix Cross Country Skiing

Cross-country ski and biathlon instructor

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Richard Etellin, state-qualified cross-country ski instructor in Chamonix

Independent since 1999, Richard Etellin is a French state-qualified cross-country ski instructor in Chamonix. He also teaches biathlon, in English and French, and he coaches students at the Roger Frison-Roche high school in Chamonix.

5.0

Rated 5 out of 5

84 Google reviews · state-qualified

Rated 5 out of 5

“…since he grew up in Chamonix, he was a wealth of information about the town and its history.”

Peter D., 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

Background

Richard Etellin: my background as an instructor and coach

My family has come from Chamonix Mont-Blanc for several generations. These roots made me want to practise mountain sports, and then to make them my job.

As a teacher and cross-country ski instructor, and a coach at the Roger Frison-Roche high school in Chamonix, I have been teaching skiing since 1999, at all levels, to adults and children. I am also a mountain leader in the Alps, in France, Switzerland and Italy.

I also teach mountain hiking, guided snowshoeing in Chamonix, running, mountain biking and fitness training. I love sport, and I run ultra-marathons to stay fit.

Welcoming travellers from all over the world is very rewarding. My aim: to give you unique experiences in a fabulous setting. I am the father of two boys, and I built our chalet in the valley: it is our base camp.

Richard Etellin

27

years teaching skiing in the valley, since 1999

Qualifications

Richard Etellin’s French state qualifications and training

Trained at ENSA in Chamonix and at CNSNMM in Prémanon, Richard is a French state-qualified instructor.

National cross-country ski instructor

The French state diploma to teach cross-country skiing. Richard teaches classic and skating, to beginners and advanced skiers alike.

Biathlon instructor

He leads the biathlon taster sessions to try biathlon in Chamonix: cross-country skiing and shooting, with air rifles.

ENSA in Chamonix

The École nationale de ski et d’alpinisme, the national school of skiing and mountaineering, in Chamonix: one of the two schools of his professional training.

CNSNMM in Prémanon

The Centre national de ski nordique et de moyenne montagne, a national centre for Nordic skiing, in Prémanon, in the Jura: the other school of his training.

Richard Etellin is also state-qualified as a mountain leader, a mountain bike instructor and a sports coach.

Competitions

Race record of Richard Etellin

Long-distance races, in trail running, cross-country skiing and mountain biking.

Trail running. He has finished UTMB races, around Mont Blanc, and the Mont-Blanc Marathon several times.

Cross-country skiing. Long-distance races: the Transjurassienne, the Foulée Blanche, the Marathon international de Bessans and the Run and Skate.

Mountain biking. Finisher of the MBrace, a mountain bike race.

Coach

Richard Etellin, coach at the Roger Frison-Roche high school in Chamonix

The Lycée Frison-Roche. He is a coach at the Lycée Frison-Roche, a secondary school in Chamonix, and the fitness trainer for the mountain and ski classes of its dual-qualification programme.

For you. The same eye for technique: each movement broken down step by step, and exercises at your level, whether you come to learn cross-country skiing or to prepare for a race.

Rated 5 out of 5

“I’ve only trained for once with Richard before going to the Engadin XC ski marathon and finished the skating half marathon without much suffering”

Xiao L., Google review · visited in March 2024

Languages

Cross-country ski lessons in Chamonix, in English and French

Many of his students come from abroad: more than half of his Google reviews are written in English.

English or French, as you prefer. Richard teaches in both languages, to beginners and advanced skiers alike.

And Italian? Richard speaks it, but not fluently yet: lessons are given in English or French. Days in Val Ferret, on the Italian side, are still possible.

Rated 5 out of 5

“He did a great job teaching us at our level and we appreciated his excellent English.”

mary_kathryn, Google review · visited in March 2026

Google reviews

Reviews of Richard Etellin, cross-country ski instructor in Chamonix

5.0

Rated 5 out of 5

84 reviews on the Google listing
checked on 16 October 2026

My wife and I had a wonderful afternoon skiing with Richard. He is great teacher and a lot of fun. And since he grew up in Chamonix, he was a wealth of information about the town and its history. Thank you Richard for a great day of cross-country skiing.

Richard is hands down the best cross country instructor ever. I’ve taken four lessons with him now and every experience has been incredible. He’s very patient and encouraging for beginners but can also share a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you improve and advance. I did individual lessons last year and had such a good time, I brought my family this year. I’ve seen significant improvement in my skill level in a very short time which has truly made me love the sport. I would definitely recommend these lessons to anyone planning a visit to Chamonix.

Richard is absolutely the best Cross Country Ski coach easily to find near Geneva areas - actually I knew Richard from a strong recommendation from my colleague who is an expert skier 🙂 Richard has abundant skiing experiences, knows how to teach different level XC skiers (incl. freshwoman like me and top level athletes), speaks fluently multiple languages incl. English, and most importantly, super patient, supportive and encouraging! I’ve only trained for once with Richard before going to the Engadin XC ski marathon and finished the skating half marathon without much suffering - thanks a million Richard! ❤️ Strongly recommended for all levels of XC skiers (and for those interested in other mountain activities in summertime)!!

Pauline and I had more lessons from Richard this year based on our brilliant experience last year. Richard is a patient, cheerful and all round excellent instructor and companion. He has enabled our progression and made it safe, fun and easy learning experience. We would unequivocally recommend Richard to everyone

Clear, concise and funny! Richard explained everything in a way that we progressed well beyond our expectations. Definitely the best cross country ski instructor we have ever had. Karl and Norma

Richard gave us beginners classes and I cannot picture a better person to do that. Relaxed because he knows his stuff through and through, supportive, with a gentle sense of humour. Warmly recommended.

Richard is the best ski instructor in the world! He is kind, patient, funny and gauges the pace of learning very well. I felt very safe with Richard and he helped me feel more confident. If you’re looking for a first class instructor, I can definitely recommend Richard.

Such a great experience. Richard was calm, patient, and easy to follow, with clear feedback that made a real difference to my technique. On top of that, he was simply a pleasure to spend time with — I’d happily book again.

I highly recommend Richard! We have spent 8 days cross country skiing with him on grand traverse of Jura. He was very knowledgeable and made the most of poor snow situation finding skiing every day. He tried and succeeded to improve our skiing skills and once he figured out we are more adventurous spirited we went of the groomers and had blast. He made our holidays unforgettable and for that I am very grateful.

J'ai fait la connaissance de Richard alors que je redoutais de glisser, souhaitant cependant m'initier au ski de fond classique. Richard a trouvé la bonne pédagogie pour me mettre en confiance, puis pour me donner le goût de glisser pour, deux ans plus tard, me permettre un classement fort honorable à la Foulée Blanche. C'est avec bonheur que j'ai découvert cette discipline mais aussi un humaniste et sage épicurien en la personne de Richard. Merci Richard.

Une organisation parfaite, une activité géniale que nous avons découvert dans un magnifique cadre. Richard est très pédagogue, patient, souriant, motivant et hyper sympa, merci Richard pour cet après-midi. A faire et à refaire sans hésitation. Je fais très rarement de commentaires sur le net mais là, impossible de ne pas féliciter Richard pour cette activité.

Looking for reviews of a cross-country ski instructor in Chamonix? Here are more testimonials about Chamonix Cross Country Skiing and Richard, as his students wrote them on Google, in English and French.

Reviews of Richard Etellin in English

Rated 5 out of 5

Richard is a fantastic instructor. Easily the best I’ve used for XC skiing. He is patient, and delivers each instruction at an appropriate pace. I highly recommend him to anyone wanting to learn or improve their cross country skiing skills

Nicole F.

Google review · visited in January 2026

Rated 5 out of 5

Richard is an excellent teacher, as a total beginner I felt I learned lots and had a really fun morning.

Katharine R.

Google review · visited in April 2024

Reviews of Richard Etellin in French

Rated 5 out of 5

Merci Richard pour ta patience et ta pédagogie. Grâce à toi nous sommes convertis au ski de fond. Nous avons hâte de nous entraîner !

Jean-Baptiste D.

Google review · visited in February 2026

Rated 5 out of 5

Apprentissage du skating dans la bonne humeur, 2h de cours très bénéfiques. Merci pour ta sympathie et ta pédagogie. Un moniteur à recommander !

Seb G.

Google review · visited in January 2022

Gallery

Photos and videos of cross-country ski and biathlon lessons

Three videos (biathlon taster, cross-country skiing in fresh snow, standing shooting) and photos of his lessons.

Biathlon taster with Richard: the presentation video

Cross-country skiing in fresh snow

Biathlon: standing shooting

Private cross-country ski lesson

Start of the season with two students

Skating lesson

Biathlon taster session, standing shooting

At the shooting range, between two rounds

Biathlon challenge with friends

Snowshoe outings

A break at Lavachey, Val Ferret

Summer

Summer with Richard Etellin: mountain biking, hiking and trail running

In summer, Richard leads downhill mountain biking on the marked trails of Chamonix and the area around it, mountain hiking around the Mont Blanc massif, and training courses for trail running. Everything is on his summer website.

Mountain bike ride with a view of Mont Blanc

Hiking on the Tour du Mont Blanc trail

Trail running in the Aiguilles Rouges

Book

Book a lesson with Richard Etellin

Cross-country skiing, biathlon or snowshoeing: choose the activity, the length and the date, then pay the 50% deposit. The Chamonix ski instructor prices for cross-country skiing, biathlon and snowshoeing are listed for each option. Would you rather contact the cross-country ski instructor in Chamonix directly?

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).

1 to 2 people

€140

3 people

€165

4 people

€190

5 people

€215

6 people

€240

Start times: 9:00, 10:40, 12:30 and 14:10. More than 6 people: contact Richard.

1 to 2 people

€270

3 people

€295

4 people

€320

5 people

€345

6 people

€370

3 hours, in the morning (9:00-12:00) or the afternoon (13:30-16:30). More than 6 people: contact Richard.

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).