Whether a beginner or expert, young or old, skier or snowboarder, everyone can safely enjoy the beautiful Swiss mountain environment with Viamonde!
Friendly resorts, comfortable accommodation, healthy and plentiful food, dynamic staff and round-the-clock supervision… just some of the reasons to trust Viamonde with your school’s ski or snowboard trip
Viamonde staff come from all over the world and are professional, enthusiastic and caring. They are chosen for their experience working with children and are all qualified and/or highly experienced skiers and snowboarders. All our staff are first and foremost counsellors and together with the group’s chaperones will be responsible for the 24-hour supervision of the children, as well as organising an exciting programme of evening activities in addition to the daily skiing and snowboarding.
Viamonde takes safety extremely seriously and works closely with each resort’s personnel to ensure that the skiing and snowboarding are as safe as possible. Obviously, skiing and snowboarding are not without risks, but small group sizes (average counsellor ratio 1:8) and experienced staff ensure that accidents are extremely rare.
The children never ski or snowboard without a counsellor and the daily programme includes important warm-up exercises at the start of the day, as well as regular breaks for a rest and a hot drink. Important health considerations, such as drinking lots of fluids and protection from the sun, are taught during the arrival day briefing, and the counsellors make regular checks throughout the day to ensure these are followed.
All Viamonde’s counsellors carry mobile telephones as well as a comprehensive first aid kit and they have been trained in basic first aid and CPR.
Our unique approach to instruction follows our philosophy of providing challenging programmes, promoting personal development and building a foundation of trust and cooperation that can be taken back to the classroom. Our counsellors create a fun learning environment, successfully balancing games and instruction in a safe, fully-supervised environment. Utilising modern approaches to sports education, they instil confidence, working closely with those progressing more slowly, while challenging those whose skills are developing more rapidly.
Viamonde only uses established and respected suppliers of ski and snowboard equipment who understand the specific requirements of children at all levels of ability. Equipment is very well maintained and great care is taken in choosing the correct sizes of boots and skis/snowboards.
We understand the unique requirements of our international clientele and ensure that all the meals we serve are popular, healthy and plentiful. Vegetarian alternatives are served at every meal and provided we have notice before a group’s arrival, special diets can always be accommodated. Portions are generous to reflect the day’s physical activities and there is never a limit to how much food is offered – children may return for another serving as many times as they like.
We understand the importance of providing activities throughout the day, with a minimum of “free time”, in a successful trip. As a result, in addition to the daily skiing and snowboarding, our counsellors will organise and supervise fun activities during après-ski time as well as in the evenings.
Whilst all our programmes are “fully-inclusive”, party leaders often appreciate the opportunity to include selected extra activities and excursions at an extra cost. Excursions include a guided tour of Geneva and a visit to one of Switzerland’s premier water parks, Aqualand. Extra activities on offer include dog sledding, swimming and night skiing.
Whilst Viamonde programmes are designed to be fun and exciting, we also understand the importance of being challenging and setting goals to improve ski and snowboard skills at all levels of ability. It is for this reason that all our ski and snowboard programmes offer continuous skills assessment to complement the teaching methods our experienced counsellors follow.
Throughout the week, the counsellors will be constantly assessing every child against a standard set of criteria and will present a certificate indicating the personal level achieved at the final awards ceremony. In addition, a fun slalom race will be organised at the end of the week, with prizes for every ability level.
In keeping with our aim to offer programmes that complement the school curriculum, we are pleased to provide support for GCSE physical education, should any students require it. Our skilled counsellors are able to facilitate the preparation of a video assessment for presentation to the examination board and provide a written review, if necessary.
To allow parents to follow their child’s progress during the trip, an online photo gallery will be maintained throughout each group’s time with us. Most days, wherever possible, a selection of photos from the chalet, the mountain and during evening activities will be posted to the gallery for parents to browse and download.
We are pleased to offer the option in most resorts, for a small supplement, of hot lunches at selected mountain restaurants. In addition, when weather permits, a popular piste barbecue will be organised for all the groups together at the end of the week, usually after the slalom race.
Our staff ensure that everyone is well catered for during their stay and will typically organise special raclette or fondue evenings as well as a visit to the village for the accompanying chaperones.
We understand the importance of providing activities throughout the day, with a minimum of “free time”, in a successful trip. As a result, in addition to the daily skiing and snowboarding, our counsellors will organise and supervise fun activities during après-ski time as well as in the evenings.
The exact programme of activities will always be discussed with the party leader in advance to ensure its suitability for the group.
| 07:30 | Counsellors wake up the children and help the chaperones prepare them for a day on the mountain. |
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08:15
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A substantial breakfast is served in the dining room, followed by announcements, including the weather forecast for the day. |
| 09:00 | Children gather in their counsellor groups to make an equipment and clothing check before heading to the mountain for the important daily warm-up exercises. Generally, the morning, when children are more attentive, will be used to introduce new techniques and follow a more structured lesson plan. |
| 11:00 | Brief stop for warm-up drinks and a rest, before continuing the morning’s lessons. |
| 12:30 | Lunch at a mountain restaurant. Counsellors meet with the programme leader and chaperones to review how every child is progressing. |
| 13:15 | After some quick warm-up exercises, counsellor groups return to the slopes. Generally, the afternoons will be used to practice techniques introduced in the morning, while discovering the resort’s numerous pistes. |
| 15:00 | Brief stop for warm-up drinks and a rest, before continuing the afternoon’s skiing and snowboarding. |
| 16:30 | Counsellor groups return to the chalet/hotel together, where children will usually have free time. At least one counsellor will be on duty to help the chaperones with supervision and organise suitable activities. |
| 18:30 | Dinner is served in the dining room, followed by announcements and the daily awards….the popular “ding-a-lings”. |
| 20:00 | Evening activities begin, organised and supervised by our counsellors. Typical activities include “counsellor hunt”, “mini-Olympics”, talent show, torchlight sledding, quiz competition and a disco. |
| 22:00-23:00 | Quiet time before our counsellors help the chaperones with room checks and lights-out. At least one counsellor will be on duty throughout the night to assist the chaperones, if required. |
Viamonde has an uncompromising commitment to customer service.
Our professional, meticulous and caring team is on hand to assist 7 days a week.
