Frequently asked questions

No, the lift pass isn’t included in the price of the lesson: you buy it separately at the Via Lattea ticket offices.

Read more: Prices

Here are our suggestions, depending on how you ski or ride:

• SKIPASS VIALATTEA: the Vialattea lift pass gives you access to every piste in the whole Via Lattea ski area. We recommend it if you are an intermediate or advanced skier or rider.
• POMERIDIANO: the afternoon pass gives you the same access to every piste in the ski area, but it is valid from 13.00.
• INVITO ALLO SCI: gives you access to the lower lifts of the Sestriere pistes: the Jolly magic carpet, the BABY drag lift and the Trebials and Garnel chairlifts. It is the ideal pass if you are starting to ski blue pistes, and it also lets you take on the odd red one.
• SKIPASS TAPPETO: gives you access to the Jolly magic carpet, where you will take your first steps on the snow: ideal if you are putting on skis or a board for the first time.
• BAMBINI NATI PRIMA DEL 2019: for younger children there is a dedicated pass and it is very good value — remember that you will have to show an ID document proving their age when you buy it!

IF YOU ARE TAKING A GROUP COURSE, IT IS ESSENTIAL TO CHECK WITH OUR OFFICE WHICH LIFT PASS TO BUY!

You will find all the information and prices for lift passes at this link: VIALATTEA

No, the price of our private and group lessons doesn’t include any form of insurance. We strongly recommend that you check your own cover, or take out extra insurance, so you can enjoy your lessons on the snow safely.

Third-party liability insurance (RC) is compulsory by law when you ski or snowboard on the pistes. If you don’t have any, you can buy it together with your lift pass. This basic third-party cover also includes first aid if you have an accident.

Keep in mind that on-piste rescue is run by private operators and is charged separately. That is why third-party liability insurance matters: it covers those costs if you ever need them.

Read more: Terms & conditions

Yes! Since Decreto Legge 96/2025 (Italian Decree-Law 96/2025) came into force, from the 2025/2026 winter season a helmet is compulsory for all skiers and snowboarders, adults and children alike, in every activity in a ski area.

You can cancel a lesson by getting in touch with our office. To be refunded for a private lesson, though, you need to cancel by 16.00 on the day before the lesson. Group lessons can be cancelled up to 72 hours before the course starts. Please note that once a course has started, especially a course over several days, you can’t ask for a refund for the lessons you miss.

If you cancel within the deadlines above, you will be refunded for the lesson you booked. Please note that 10% of the value of the cancelled lesson is retained, to cover admin costs and any bank charges. Outside those deadlines, no refund is given for the lessons booked. So do plan your lessons carefully.

Read more: Terms & conditions

Lessons go ahead in bad weather too: snowfall, wind and fog are conditions to expect when you spend time in the mountains. A lesson is only cancelled and refunded if the lifts close.

For equipment hire we work with two shops, both close to the school and handy for the pistes:

• ARCHIMEDE SKI RENT
• ADA SKI RENT

You can go to them directly — don’t forget to tell them that you are taking ski or snowboard lessons with YES Academy.

To book a private lesson, a Clinic or an Experience, you can click straight on the BOOK button in the main menu of the site.

For a group course over several days, the booking goes through our office: get in touch by phone, email or WhatsApp so we can check availability and the level of the group.

Read more: Contact

• Complete beginner: you have never had a pair of skis on before — but don’t worry, everyone starts somewhere!
• Beginner: you have some experience and you can get down relatively easy blue pistes, though perhaps with a bit of snowplough here and there. You feel less confident when you pick up speed, or on icy snow.
• Intermediate: you can get down blue and red pistes with your skis parallel and you only occasionally fall back on the snowplough. You still feel uncomfortable on steep, icy slopes, though.
• Advanced: you are confident on every kind of piste and you can handle all sorts of snow conditions; you enjoy speed and carving your turns.

Read more: Ski & snowboard levels

• Complete beginner: you have never tried snowboarding before. Start from zero and explore this exciting sport.
• Beginner: you have been out a few times and you can get down relatively easy blue pistes; you can turn on gentler slopes and, where it is steep, you come down in falling leaf. Flat sections are a problem sometimes, too…
• Intermediate: you turn on blue and red pistes, even if you sometimes come down in falling leaf on steep, icy slopes. You have also started trying a few tricks, both on the piste and in the park, and you occasionally ride switch.
• Advanced: you feel confident on every kind of piste and in all snow conditions, you can also ride switch well, and you take on jumps and off-piste descents. You are at home on a snowboard in any situation.

Read more: Ski & snowboard levels

We know how excited you are to get your little ones started on skis, and we are here to make it a great experience from the very beginning. The ideal age to start skiing is around 3 or 4, but every child is different, and you parents know your child better than anyone: you will know when they are ready to start this wonderful adventure!

Our philosophy is to make learning to ski a fun game on the snow, where children can explore, discover and grow in a safe place designed just for them, always at their own pace. We are here to guide them through every stage of their journey on skis, helping them build the basic movement skills, build confidence in themselves and make memories on the snow that last. Together, we will make sure your children fall in love with skiing, joyfully and wholeheartedly. We can’t wait to show you how rewarding it is to introduce your little ones to the wonderful world of skiing!

Read more: Teaching kids to ski

Have you ever watched a child take a run-up and then slide across the floor? They do it sideways, instinctively and naturally! It is exactly this affinity with the sideways stance that makes snowboarding a fantastic option for small winter sports fans.

So at what age can they start snowboarding? From very young, always with an adult keeping a close eye on them to help them get up, slow down and move on the board, they can play fun games on the snow and try their first slides. This is where they get used to the equipment and start to enjoy snowboarding.

From the age of 4 or 5, children can really start snowboarding the way we adults mean it: they become more and more independent, they pick up the basic snowboarding skills easily and they start to enjoy the whole experience on the snow. So if you would like your children to start snowboarding, remember that the right age is the one where they feel ready and keen to explore this adventure on a board. With the right approach, learning to snowboard can be an exciting and rewarding experience, one that leads your children to discover the wonderful world of the mountains in a fun, engaging way.

Read more: Teaching kids to ski

Our group courses are designed for children and teenagers, from 6 up to 13 or 14. For older teenagers and for adults, the group format is our Clinics and Experiences: fixed-date lessons, open to anyone who signs up.

For children under 6 we recommend starting with a private lesson, so they get a more individual approach and closer attention. After that, we can look at sharing the lesson with other children.

There is one exception, though: the season-long course “Primi Passi” (first steps). This course is designed specifically for children aged 4 to 6 who are learning to ski.

Read more: Kids’ group lessons

Here are a few suggestions for you, mum and dad. Every child is different, though, so do adapt your approach to your child’s needs and personality.

• The right clothing: make sure your child is dressed for the weather, in something waterproof and warm, without making them sweat too much.
• The right equipment: check that the skis or snowboard, the boots and the helmet are the right size and in good condition. Being kitted out properly is essential for comfort and safety.
• Positive words and real listening: keep things positive with your child. Reassure them and tell them how exciting and fun this experience on the snow is going to be. Be ready to listen to their questions and worries, and support them in their efforts without putting too much pressure on them.
• Be on time: arrive at the lesson early. Children often pick up on a parent’s stress when you are rushing or running late, and they get anxious too.
• Food and drink: make sure your child has had a good breakfast, and slip a snack into their pocket to keep their energy up during the lesson.
• The toilet: before the lesson, encourage your child to go to the toilet. That will save any mishaps once the lesson is under way.
• Respect the instructor: it is normal for some children to feel anxious about leaving their parents. Even so, it is important to respect the instructor and let them lead the lesson. Once the activity starts, children relax and begin to enjoy themselves.
• Celebrate what they achieve: recognise what your child achieves on the snow, even the small steps forward. It will build their motivation and make the whole experience more rewarding.

Read more: Teaching kids to ski

Lessons usually run from Monday to Friday (5 days), but the course is also available for a different number of days, with a minimum of 3 (4 in peak season periods). Over the Christmas and Carnival holidays the courses also run on Saturday and Sunday, and you can do more than 5 days in a row.

Flexibility is the principle for us: get in touch and together we will find the solution that fits your holiday best.

Read more: Kids’ group lessons

Of course. When you book, tell us which friends your children would like to be with. This is possible, of course, as long as your children are at the same level!

Read more: Kids’ group lessons

In our group lessons we try to keep things welcoming and involving. Groups are put together so that they hold the right number of people, generally from a minimum of 3 to a maximum of 8. A group this size means we can give a more personal experience and make sure everyone gets the attention they need to improve.

On some occasions the limit of 8 people may be exceeded slightly. This can happen because, during a course, people may move between groups so that everyone is in the setting that suits their ability and goals best.

We take great care to build groups that are consistent in age and ability. We believe that making friends and team spirit are essential to a good learning experience in group lessons.

Read more: Kids’ group lessons

Of course! For a group of friends or family (up to 5 people at the same level) you can book a 3-hour private lesson, built around you with one of our instructors: from your first turns to discovering the Vialattea ski area, through to freeride and days out in fresh snow, on touring skis or a splitboard. The length adapts to what you need, from 3 hours up to a full day, and it is built around the level of the group, from beginners to experts.

Read more: Private lessons

The main meeting point is at the bottom of the Tappeto Jolly magic carpet, at the base of the Sestriere lifts. All group lessons — courses, Clinics and Experiences — start and finish there. For private lessons you can, on request and once our office confirms, meet your instructor at the Fraiteve gondola (opposite the Villaggio Olimpico), at Borgata or at Pragelato.

Experiences and Clinics are fixed-date group lessons, open to anyone who signs up: you don’t need to arrive with a group of your own. Clinics focus on one specific technical theme and last 3 hours; Experiences are more about the experience itself and discovering the area, and last 4.5 hours or a full day. Check the calendar on the site for the dates that are open.

Read more: Clinics