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Private ski lessons in La Plagne: Independent instructor Mathieu Leroy
Private ski lessons in La Plagne with Mathieu Leroy
If you're looking for private ski lessons in La Plagne, particularly if you want a more personal alternative to one of the larger ski schools, independent ski instructor Mathieu Leroy is someone I recommend speaking to.
Mathieu runs La Glisse Pour Tous and offers private ski and snowboard lessons for children and adults in La Plagne. He speaks English, French and Dutch, can meet you where you're staying in resort, and also has experience in adaptive and handi-ski instruction.
For me, he's a particularly useful option for families who want to know exactly who will be teaching them before they book, or who have something specific they want to work on during their holiday.
And a little bonus, just for you! That's La Plagne readers can also get 5% off lessons with Mathieu using code THATSLAPLAGNE.
Who is Mathieu Leroy?
Mathieu Leroy is a French ski instructor working independently in La Plagne through La Glisse Pour Tous.
He teaches skiing and snowboarding to adults and children and speaks French, English and Dutch.
The main difference when booking an independent instructor is that you're booking the actual person who will teach you.
That gives you the chance to speak to Mathieu before you arrive, explain everyone's ability and tell him what you're hoping to get from the lesson.
That might be getting a beginner started, improving technique, rebuilding confidence, helping a child who benefits from individual attention or simply making some focused progress during a short holiday.
It doesn't mean private lessons are automatically better than group ski school. They're simply a different option.
Group lessons can be brilliant for children who enjoy learning alongside other kids, and they're generally the more budget-friendly choice. If you want a traditional week of ski school with a structured progression programme, one of La Plagne's larger schools may suit you better.
But if you want private tuition built around the person actually learning, an independent instructor like Mathieu makes a lot of sense.
Ski and snowboard lessons with Mathieu
Mathieu teaches both skiing and snowboarding, working with adults and children.
Because the lessons are private, you can talk to him about what you actually want to achieve rather than choosing purely according to a standard ski-school level.
If you're enquiring for several members of the family, give him everyone's ages and abilities rather than assuming you should all ski together. If there's a big difference between levels, he can advise you on what makes sense.
Mathieu’s teaching approach with La Glisse Pour Tous
Mathieu’s approach is a little different from a traditional ski-school lesson.
Through his work with GOTOSKI, he has developed a teaching method focused on helping skiers find a more balanced position and progress towards parallel skiing, rather than relying heavily on the snowplough for longer than necessary.
That won’t suit every learner in exactly the same way, but it’s one of the reasons I think he’s particularly interesting for people who want a more individual approach rather than simply following a standard group-ski-school progression.
That gives him a real point of difference.
English-speaking ski lessons in La Plagne
Mathieu is a native French speaker who also speaks English and Dutch. But he doesn't jsut ‘speak English'. He's fun, cracking jokes and meeting you on your level. That might be for little kids on the nursary slope, or taking adults out exploring the heights of La Plagne.
For British families, being able to communicate easily with an instructor is useful, particularly when you're booking lessons for children.
It also means you can have the important conversation before you arrive. You can explain everyone's experience, any concerns you have and what you'd like to achieve, rather than trying to cover everything at the meeting point on the first morning.
If English-speaking ski lessons in La Plagne are important to you, it's worth confirming the language when you book rather than simply assuming an English-speaking instructor will be allocated.
Adaptive skiing and handi-ski in La Plagne
Accessibility is an important part of Mathieu's work.
He created La Glisse Pour Tous with a focus on making skiing more accessible for people with disabilities and has experience in adaptive and handi-ski instruction.
One of the most distinctive parts of La Glisse Pour Tous is Mathieu’s work with GOTOSKI. It’s a specialised ski device designed to allow people with physical, mental or sensory disabilities to experience standing skiing, either independently or with assistance. Mathieu also uses it as a teaching tool in some situations with able-bodied skiers.
So, if you're looking for adaptive skiing in La Plagne, contact Mathieu and explain your requirements. He can then tell you what he can offer and whether his instruction is appropriate for your situation.
For me, the important distinction is that accessibility isn't simply another lesson category for La Glisse Pour Tous. Making skiing more accessible is part of why it was created.
Where can you meet Mathieu in La Plagne?
This is one of those details that sounds incredibly boring until you're trying to get children dressed, carry everyone's skis and make it to a lesson on time.
La Plagne isn't one single village, so where your lesson starts can make quite a difference to your morning.
Mathieu can meet clients where they're staying in La Plagne.
I'd give him your exact accommodation or village when you enquire so that he can confirm the arrangements before you book.
If you haven't booked your accommodation yet, lesson meeting points are worth considering when choosing where to stay, particularly with younger children.
How much do private ski lessons in La Plagne cost?
Mathieu now publishes his winter prices directly on the La Glisse Pour Tous website.
For 2026/27, private lesson prices vary according to the date and lesson length. As a guide:
- 2-hour lessons: from €119 in the afternoon or €149 in the morning during quieter periods
- 2h45 lessons: from €164 in the afternoon or €205 in the morning
- Full-day lessons: from €366 during quieter periods
- Peak Christmas / February dates cost more, with some full-day lessons reaching €564
There are also shorter lunchtime lesson options on selected dates.
Because prices change according to the week you’re travelling, I’d always check Mathieu’s current tariff page before booking.
And don't forget, That’s La Plagne readers get 5% off with code THATSLAPLAGNE.
Off-piste, backcountry and ski touring with Mathieu
Mathieu also offers off-piste, backcountry and ski touring in La Plagne for skiers who want to explore beyond the marked pistes.
For off-piste sessions, the focus isn’t just on finding fresh snow. Mathieu also works on moving safely through different snow conditions, controlling speed, choosing appropriate terrain and understanding the basics of avalanche safety equipment such as a transceiver/DVA, shovel and probe. He strongly recommends learning how to use that equipment from the first session.Â
He also offers ski touring, including learning how to use skins, make kick turns/conversions, move around obstacles and travel efficiently as a group. Route choice is adapted to conditions, with weather and the avalanche-risk bulletin taken into account.
For more experienced skiers, this makes Mathieu a useful option if you want to move beyond standard piste lessons and build confidence exploring La Plagne’s wider mountain terrain.
Interested in off-piste or ski touring?
See Mathieu’s off-piste options or ski touring options.
That's La Plagne reader discount
That's La Plagne readers can get 5% off lessons with Mathieu using code THATSLAPLAGNE. Mention the code when you contact him and check how it should be applied to your booking.
Mathieu is one of the best independent instructors and I'm happy to point families towards him when private, personalised instruction is what they're looking for.
How to book ski lessons with Mathieu
Contact Mathieu directly at: contact@laglissepourtous.com
When you email, tell him your holiday dates, where you're staying in La Plagne, who needs lessons and their current ability, and whether you're looking for skiing or snowboarding.
It's also worth explaining what you'd like to get from the lessons and mentioning any accessibility or additional requirements from the beginning.
Ask him to confirm his current availability, lesson options, price, meeting arrangements and booking terms.
And mention THATSLAPLAGNE for your 5% reader discount.
Is Mathieu the right ski instructor for you?
I'd put Mathieu on your shortlist if you're looking for private ski or snowboard lessons in La Plagne and like the idea of dealing directly with the instructor who'll actually be teaching you.
He's also particularly useful to know about if you're looking for English-speaking tuition or need to discuss adaptive skiing or more individual requirements.
If what you really want is a traditional week of children's group ski school, have a look at my full La Plagne ski-school comparison instead. There are plenty of larger schools that may be a better fit for that type of holiday.
For me, the useful question isn't really, “Who is the best ski instructor in La Plagne?”
It's, “What sort of lessons will work best for us?”
If private tuition is the answer, contact Mathieu at contact@laglissepourtous.com to check availability.
