Skiing is a natural phenomenon for Andorrans. Just as Australians learn to swim, Brazilians play soccer and Canadians ice skate as a rite of passage.
Mountain views from almost every window mean a ski slope outside every door. And with the mountains in your backyard, learning to ski, often at a ski school, is part of growing up in Andorra.
The idea of ski education goes far beyond the lessons your kids might take at a resort while on vacation. In Andorran schools, skiing is an integral and beloved part of the curriculum.
How universal is skiing in the Andorran education system?
The Andorran government requires all students in certain grades to receive a certain number of hours of physical education. This provision applies to students in all parts of the Andorran school system, both public and private schools.
Skiing is a compulsory part of the varied physical education curriculum.
When do students start learning to ski?
Starting in first grade, students will ski as part of their physical education classes on special ski days. In subsequent years, skiing will become an additional part of the curriculum that some parents choose to enroll their children in. Starting in second grade, skiing is no longer compulsory and schools and students are given more flexibility.
Goals for including skiing in the curriculum
Skiing in Andorra is a natural occurrence as it is so accessible and widespread. But the government is specifying the reasons for including this subject in the physical education curriculum. In particular, to:
- Create a holistic educational profile.
- Give younger students the physical skills and body awareness that will make it easier for them to participate in fitness activities later in life.
- Create a skill foundation that allows all students to learn to ski (if they choose to).
- Experience, respect and appreciate nature.
- Gain respect for social relationships, fellow Andorrans and public spaces.
History of skiing as part of the Andorran school system
Skiing has been a vital part of life in Andorra for decades. This became especially true after the Second World War, when resorts began to install more chairlifts and many other Andorran mountain slopes were opened to skiing.
In 2003, the Andorran government formalized requirements for how public schools incorporate skiing into their curriculum. They were changed and updated in 2012.
Nordic skiing and downhill
With so many mountains in Andorra, it is not surprising that ski schools place a strong emphasis on alpine skiing. However, all students are also encouraged to try cross-country skiing, and part of the ski school curriculum is dedicated to meeting this requirement.
How much time is devoted to ski schools?
During primary school, when ski school is part of the curriculum (compulsory in first grade or optional thereafter), it extends over eight days of the school year. One of them is usually dedicated to skiing, and the rest is spent on the slopes, honing your skiing skills.
These eight days are supplemented by the days allocated for the national ski school championships.
Schools have more flexibility for students in second grade and above. The Andorran government supervises ski school trips of five days or less and provides observers for up to two hours per day.
Supervision of ski schools
In Andorra, ski schools are supervised by trained observers who evaluate the progress and abilities of the individual student. These evaluators are with students for two hours on each ski day (three hours for skiing). Ideally, a student should have the same monitor that will evaluate them throughout the school year.
For safety reasons, ski schools are also required to provide chaperones to accompany students throughout the day.
Competitions for ski school students
Every year, the best Andorran ski school students compete in the national ski school championship. In 2018, friendly competitions were held in Arinsal and La Rabassa around the third week of March.
The competition was tough – at least for such a young age group – and prizes were awarded to girls under 10 (separate for federation and non-member skiers) and boys under 12.
State-subsidized ski passes for ski schools
The Andorran government takes ski education seriously and offers seasonal discounts on ski passes for those who attend ski schools. In the 2015–16 season these passes went to:
- Students (under 18 years old) participating in extracurricular programs: 98 euros.
- “University pass” for persons from 20 to 25 years old: 175 euros.
- Companion Pass for adults (18–65 years old) working in ski schools: €156.
- Companion Pass for seniors (65–70 years old) attending ski schools: €52.
- Fee for replacing a lost pass: 20 euros.
These prices are so low that some Andorran site operators have asked the government to raise them. In the 2017–2018 season, the government bowed to this pressure and increased rates by 4% plus CPI.
Despite rising prices, for most expats moving to Andorra, the cost of sending a child to ski school is ridiculously low.
Student tickets will go on sale from the beginning of November to the end of January. University and related tickets are available from December until the end of January.
Who provides equipment for ski schools in Andorra?
Students usually bring their own equipment to ski schools. If the student’s family proves that it is not possible to purchase the equipment, the government will provide them with a subsidized rental rate. Andorran children whose families receive social assistance are not charged rent.
All students must wear a helmet during ski or snowboard lessons at the ski school.
Expanded ski school options
Andorra has several options for keen students and their eager parents.
In addition to the various ski lessons they offer to tourists or on an ad hoc basis, resorts also sometimes have ski school programs for children. This is outside of normal school activities. In Grandvalira, the program is limited to approximately 170 students aged 5 to 17 years.
Residents of Andorra are given the opportunity to be the first to register with a one-week advantage over non-residents and a significant discount on tuition.
In addition, Agora International School, Andorra’s oldest and most renowned international school, places a strong emphasis on skiing as part of its extracurricular schedule.
During the season, approximately 100 participating students ski once a week.
This is a fun activity that students look forward to, but it also aims to teach more advanced skiing skills and continue to promote the ideals (such as teamwork and love of the outdoors) set out in the primary school curriculum.
Many very talented Andorran athletes have completed the ski school program at the Agora International School. This list includes participants from the recent Winter Olympics in Vancouver and Sochi.
Benefits of a ski school in Andorra
Expats and their children seem to be optimistic about Andorra’s ski school program. It’s a break from studying, a chance for students to play sports together and something special in Andorra. Plus skiing is fun.