International winter camp 2024 – Switzerland
Les Elfes offers 1 to 4 week long Swiss winter camp sessions for kids & teens aged 6 to 17. Our Language courses and excursions will ensure a balance of outdoor adventure and off snow learning.
Ski & Snowboard Winter Camp
From total beginners, some that have never seen snow, to young athletes training as part of their school ski or snowboard team. Les Elfes winter camp offers a lively and enthusiastic approach to skiing and snowboard camps in the Swiss Alps ...
Not only a Kid’s camp for Skiing & Snowboarding, At Les Elfes we strive for excellence in everything we do. What better way to really appreciate a fun overnight camp and the culture of Switzerland then by visiting some of the most iconic cities and famous organisations.
language courses (optional)
To ensure we offer the best possible tuition for this winter camp in Switzerland to our students, we work in partnership with Verbier Language School to offer specialised teachers in each language for every course.
Excursions (optional)
Each of our cultural excursion days is a little different, with new options each year for those returning winter campers who are ready to see something new! Whether it is souvenir shopping or checking out our International winter camp alpine settings...
Alongside our full-day ski and snowboard lessons Les Elfes offers a full program of après-ski and evening activities. Students can choose from a range of kid’s winter Camp activities including sledging, igloo building, torchlight hike, disco, ice skating, hockey, snowman building and many more.
Apres ski & Evening activities
Our winter camp evening programmes are tailored to meet the requirements of our students. Our groups participate in activities programme from...
Prize Giving & Certificates
During the last night of winter camp, all our students will be participating in the prize-giving night...
It’s not just about skiing and snowboarding, at Les Elfes we offer other exciting activities that can be added to your children’s winter programme.
PARAGLIDING (optional)
Why not try the experience of a paragliding flight over the Bagnes Valley?
SURFING (optional)
Have you ever thought that you could surf in the Swiss Alps? It's now possible!
Directly opposite Le Grand Combin which rises to 4300m, Verbier, Switzerland is in a stunning location on a south facing plateau that guarantees a sunny climate. our Swiss style Chalets are ready to make your European sleepaway camp the best winter camp it can be.
Campuses
Our two purpose built wood and stone chalets follow the Swiss Alpine tradition and offer charm and comfort to our guests. Both chalets are situated in green, peaceful winter camp surroundings.
CAMPUSES
Campus in Verbier Perrin
Our two purpose-built wood and stone chalets follow the Swiss Alpine tradition and offer charm and comfort to our guests.
Both chalets are situated in green, peaceful surroundings and are only five minutes from the center of Verbier. The girls and boys are separated in each of the two chalets, which are completely equipped for holiday camps :
- A permanently staffed and welcoming reception hall
- Large rooms with two to four beds and ensuite bathrooms
- Two spacious, sunny dining rooms with an open-planned sitting room
- Open fireplace leading onto a south-facing terrace with a barbecue
- A library, games hall, cinema, music room (or discothèque)
- Conference rooms and internet room
- Professionally equipped kitchens in both buildings
- All equipment for indoor and outdoor games and sports: football field, basketball, volleyball, and badminton courts, golf putting/driving range, trampoline, pétanque area, and climbing walls.
Menu
Les Elfes Camps offer a large buffet breakfast and a range of varied and exciting lunch and evening meal options.
All of our food is prepared using fresh products and the wide-ranging international menus are well balanced, tailored specifically to suit the needs of our students throughout their active programs with us.
Our kitchens cater for all dietary requirements and menus can be personalised to suit the requirements of your group.
With such a busy program of activities, it is likely students will be off-campus for their lunch. For our winter camps in Verbier students will have use of our two, private Les Elfes restaurants on the mountain where they will receive hot fresh meals while they relax after a busy morning of skiing.
VERBIER CAMPUS
LOCATION
Our winter camp is located in the best ski resort in the world, Verbier. With over 450 km of slopes, Verbier is located at 1500 m with lifts to the Mont-Fort glacier (3300m)
LOCATION
Set in a breathtaking panorama, Verbier has been voted World’s Best ski resort and it is the most famous resorts in Switzerland and Europe. Verbier offers the best in sporting and leisure activities all year round in a cosmopolitan and relaxed atmosphere. It is the perfect place to experience a real international winter camp.
The winter camp domain comprises more than 450 km of skiing and 3300 meters and has more than 100 ski lifts connecting the four valleys.
The high altitude guarantees that there will be snow from December to April.
Verbier also has many shops and restaurants, from the most informal to the most sophisticated.
Verbier is located in the French part of Switzerland, 1 hour and 45 minutes from Geneva, 2 hours and 45 minutes from Zürich and 30 minutes from the Italian and French borders. It is an ideal location for an international winter camp in Switzerland.
If needed, Les Elfes organize the transfer to and from Geneva Airport by private minivan.
Les Elfes booth is located at the arrivals in Geneva Airport, next to the information centre. Here, Les Elfes staff will be waiting for the students just arrived.
a Sports Ski & Snowboard winter Camp like no other. Our youth camps offer kid’s activities as a nature camp with all the perks of being located in the center of the European Alps.
TYPICAL DAY
A typical day at les Elfes winter camp will start with an early wake-up at 7.30am followed by a large continental breakfast until 8.45am. All skiers and snowboarders...
INTERNATIONAL CAMP
In 1987, we welcomed 500 students per year, and now we are delighted to welcome over 5000 winter campers from over 65 nations per year that take part in one of the numerous...
Equipment
Having the proper ski equipment is essential for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. We have additional winter camp equipment and clothing rental, so you don't need to worry.
AT LES ELFES INTERNATIONAL WINTER CAMP,
WE ALSO ACCEPT DAY CAMPERS. FROM 8 AM TO BEDTIME, STUDENTS FROM 6 TO 17 YEARS OLD CAN SPEND THEIR DAY WITH LES ELFES TEAM.
DAY CAMPS
A new dimension to our residential winter camps, we now offer full-day camps from 08:00 until before or after dinner, for children and teenagers.
International Winter Camp Activities.
Unlike many similar camps, over half of our staff are employed for the full year to ensure that the standard of activities we offer is consistently high at all children’s camps.
Staff & Safety
Each Winter Camp is supervised by a Resort Manager, an Activities Manager and a Head Organizer. Les Elfes winter camp runs the camps with all appropriate staff, including monitors, organizers, kitchen staff...
STAFF & SAFETY
At Les Elfes winter camp we take your safety of the students in all of the activities as our highest priority.
All of our staff must have a valid First Aid Certificate and a current Criminal Records Check before beginning their training at Les Elfes winter camp.
Unlike many similar camps over half of our staff are employed for the full year to ensure that the standard of activities we offer is consistently high at all campuses. Why? Because we can and because we run camps all year long. That's not something other camps can say.
We also find that maintaining a core team of staff who work each year with the same groups enables us to build a repertoire with schools and with their students to provide better service and a better winter camp experience.
STAFF
Organisation: Each winter camp is supervised by a Resort Manager, an Activities Manager, and a Head Organizer. Les Elfes winter camp runs the camps with all appropriate staff, including monitors, organizers, kitchen staff, secretaries, drivers, cleaning staff, etc.
Monitors: The organizer to student ratio is 1:6, however including all Les Elfes winter camp staff the ratio falls to 1:2.
All our monitors have been carefully selected in accordance with Les Elfes winter camp criteria for skills and experience in working with children. On top of this, Les Elfes winter camp uses sports experts for some activities.
STAFF SUPERVISION
Our Activity Managers supervise the work of our monitors and instructors all day long. In the winter, all our ski and snowboard winter camp instructors are accredited by the official Swiss Ski School, and in the summer each instructor is specialized in the different sports offered at Les Elfes winter camp.
KIDS SUPERVISION
All our Spring Camps, Summer Camps, Winter Camps, have a nurse and a 24-hour reception and night guard, which together with our monitors work, allows us to offer a 24 hours supervision of the children.
video & photos here
SAFETY
TRAINING WEEKS
All our summer and winter staff monitors, instructors, core staff and managers undertake a two-week training course before the start of each season combining one week of technical training and one week to learn and become acquainted with the philosophy of Les Elfes.
Our training for each season includes a First Aid refresher course, Lifeguard Training, Fire Safety, Child Protection awareness and Training in our SOPs and EAPs.
In the Winter all of our ski and snowboard instructors hold relevant ski and snowboard teaching qualifications and are accredited by the Official Swiss Ski School after a week of training and assessment with one of their trainers.
We also hire specific staff with teaching and leading qualifications in these areas to ensure the students not only get the best out of their activities and learn from the Staff but are safe throughout.
DAILY MEASURES
Throughout the year, whether it is skiing or snowboarding during the winter or mountain biking and rock climbing in summer, the students take part in what we call activities containing certain risk elements.
We, therefore, have strict procedures in place to ensure that during these activities, the students are exposed to as little risk as possible. To ensure this, we make sure our staff is fully qualified and well trained according to the time of year, and whatever time of year the day has to begin with a meeting identifying these risks. In the winter there are many things to consider when looking at these points, here is an idea of the safety measure taken:
07h45 NIGHT GUARD AND NURSE REPORT
The COO and the activity manager receive feedback from the night guard and also the report from the nurse with the description of any medical measures to take during the day.
08h00 INSTRUCTOR MEETING
Activity or Resort Manager delivers all critical information to the instructors for the day, discussing the weather, the condition of pistes, suitable slopes for the groups according to their level. The location for lunches and transport times.
09h00 GROUPS LEAVE
Groups Leave for the Mountain with Instructors, supervised by the activity manager and head of snow sports.
12h00 LUNCH, CHECK OF GROUPS BY HEAD OF SNOWSPORTS
The Head of snow sports will check and see how the groups are doing throughout the day, and if any changes or issues, to act accordingly.
16h15 INSTRUCTORS MEETING & NURSE INFO
A debrief will take place with the Activity Manager and Head of snow sports, any changes or issues of the day will be noted and discussed where needed. Should the nurse need to look after any students, the information is passed on accordingly.
We are fully aware of the enormous responsibility of taking care of students and are completely focused on their well being. In case of illness or accident, we are only minutes away from world-class professional help.
Given all the factors to consider when choosing a program, parents should look at the security of the Winter Camp. There are several things that must be considered: location, facilities, staff, medical support, and activities are points to consider as safe.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
Risk assessments are designed for each activity and are signed by all our monitors and head instructors during daily morning briefings and daily evening debriefings.
We have 3 up-to-date medical clinics in Verbier, and both campuses have access to a regional hospital and two University hospitals only 40 minutes and 75 minutes away respectively, or just 10 minutes by helicopter.
You can signup online or download our PDF application for the winter camp
Learn more about our other camps!
What Some Of The Parents Had To Say
First of all I’d like to thank you all of you for the fantastic experience that all of you gave to Alessandro. He came back home enthusiastic and he looks forward to coming back next year, this will be a good reason to remind him to study from the beginning of the school year!
Take care
The children were very happy about the experience. I had a 2 hour drive to Geneva with all the fantastic stories about their Elfes experience. Pretty uncommon in these times of self immersion in our own smartphone devices. They loved everything, their teachers, the ski, their new international friends, the food, etc. I also want to express my personal gratitude for your quick response to make the changes during the first week, and keeping the level up during the second one. With your level of curiosity to continue listening and learning, there is no limit where Les Elfes can grow. Cordially,
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