Sofia Hirsch — State-qualified ski instructor

2280 mThe first hour

We start where you are.

I don’t have one method that I apply to everyone. I have four resorts, every gradient in the Portes du Soleil, and a first hour to work out how you ski. The rest gets decided on the snow.

2050 mGreen run · Beginners

The first turn

Clip in, slide, stop, turn. For children from four years old and for adults who have never worn skis. In two hours we settle the thing that actually frightens people: speed, and how to get rid of it.

• From age 4Short sessions, one thing at a time.
• Two hoursEnough for a first time, without exhausting anyone.
• Beginner areasLes Chavannes in Les Gets, Le Pleney in Morzine.

1870 mBlue run · Progressing

Linking turns without thinking

Parallel turns, rhythm, and your eyes finally lifting off your ski tips. This is the stage where you stop being pushed around by the gradient, and where the full 600 kilometres of the domain genuinely open up.

1690 mRed and black runs · Refining

Steep ground

Carving, moguls, spring snow, speed under control. We work on what is actually holding you back: pressure on the outside ski, anticipation through the upper body, choosing a line. Usually three details, not thirty.

1540 mThe domain

Four resorts, one lift pass

The Portes du Soleil links twelve resorts across France and Switzerland. I teach in these four, and the choice on any given day comes down to snow, wind and your level — not habit.

• Morzine1000 – 2019 mThe most versatile. Le Pleney to learn, Nyon to progress.
• Avoriaz1800 – 2466 mAltitude, so the most reliable snow. Les Hauts Forts for steep ground.
• Les Gets1172 – 1826 mFamily-friendly and sunny. Mont Chéry when you want quiet.
• Châtel1200 – 2200 mSwitzerland within reach. Linga for reds, Super-Châtel for the view.

1250 mThe instructor

Sofia Hirsch

State-qualified, based in Morzine. I teach all season across the Portes du Soleil, from a first ever lesson to the north face of Les Hauts Forts.

I speak French, English, Dutch and Russian. The lesson happens in whichever language you are comfortable in — on steep ground, that is not a detail.

• French State Diploma in alpine skiing
• Professional licence no. 00000000000
• Professional liability insurance

1120 mThey skied with her

Feedback

• My six-year-old went from snowplough to parallel in a week, without crying once. I still don’t know how.

• I had skied with the same fault for twenty years. Sofia spotted it in two runs and fixed it in three days.

• First time off-piste. Everything was explained before we set off and nothing was improvised. We felt safe from start to finish.