Our Champions
Champions at the Meribel esf
OurChampions
At Méribel, an emblematic resort in the Alps, and more particularly at the Ecole Française du Ski, some of our instructors are much more than just teachers: they are ambassadors for the colours of France on the slopes. Whether it's downhill skiing, snowboarding, telemark, freestyle or even cross-country skiing.
Every winter, they make the resort and France shine at international competitions and events, where their performances and dedication are a source of inspiration for future generations.
Every winter, they make the resort and France shine at international competitions and events, where their performances and dedication are a source of inspiration for future generations.
alpine skiing
léonie carroz
This year we welcomed a very young instructor, Léonie Carroz. Aged just 20, this young woman has been skiing since the age of 3 and started competing at the age of 10, first with the Meribel Sports Club and then with the Savoie Ski Committee.
Having been runner-up in the U18 French Championships 3 times, won 5 FIS races, finished 4th in the U21 French Slalom Championships and made 6 starts in the European Giant and Slalom Cups, Léonie has qualified to take part in the next Junior Alpine World Ski Championships, to be held in Italy from 25 February to 5 March 2025.
Léonie says that her job as a ski instructor with the ESF is "a great pleasure to be able to share my knowledge with the pupils"
Having been runner-up in the U18 French Championships 3 times, won 5 FIS races, finished 4th in the U21 French Slalom Championships and made 6 starts in the European Giant and Slalom Cups, Léonie has qualified to take part in the next Junior Alpine World Ski Championships, to be held in Italy from 25 February to 5 March 2025.
Léonie says that her job as a ski instructor with the ESF is "a great pleasure to be able to share my knowledge with the pupils"
télémark
yoann rostolan
Yoann Rostolan also made France and the whole of Savoie shine during the Telemark World Cup!
After taking 2nd place on the podium in the sprint event at Pinzolo in Italy, Yoann shone again at the Trillevallen stage in Sweden. The 23-year-old instructor took 3rd place, his 2nd podium finish of the winter!
After taking 2nd place on the podium in the sprint event at Pinzolo in Italy, Yoann shone again at the Trillevallen stage in Sweden. The 23-year-old instructor took 3rd place, his 2nd podium finish of the winter!
alpine skiing
thomas luxcey
Thomas Luxcey is an instructor of hiking, alpine skiing, snowboarding, handiskiing, freestyle and freeride (skiing) at the ESF in Méribel, as well as being a top-level athlete.
Thomas, who is hearing impaired, took part in the Alp'in Deaf World Ski Championships from 6 to 14 January 2025 in Jasna, Slovakia.
Thomas Luxcey made a big impression with a total of 3 medals: a silver medal in the Special Slalom, and two bronze medals in the Parallel Slalom and Alpine Combined.
As well as representing France in this disabled sports competition, Thomas was also able to put Savoie, and in particular the ESF in Méribel, in the spotlight.
Thomas, who is hearing impaired, took part in the Alp'in Deaf World Ski Championships from 6 to 14 January 2025 in Jasna, Slovakia.
Thomas Luxcey made a big impression with a total of 3 medals: a silver medal in the Special Slalom, and two bronze medals in the Parallel Slalom and Alpine Combined.
As well as representing France in this disabled sports competition, Thomas was also able to put Savoie, and in particular the ESF in Méribel, in the spotlight.
‘I've been competing since I was very young. I joined the Méribel ski club when I was very young. And my father, who's a ski instructor, gave me a certain affinity with the Esf. When I was young, I often closed arrows to practise skiing in difficult conditions, which helped me to progress and to be resistant to the difficult racing conditions. It was thanks to this that I ended up placing 3rd in the French championships when I was young. When I reached a certain age, I had to change my environment a bit and mature by studying in Paris. And when I came back from my studies, I only had eyes for the mountains, so I took up the monitorat course again and was able to get back into the sport and the competitions. Given that I work, I was lucky to be able to take part regularly in the memorials, which maintain my level and always give me the desire to progress, I've been training quite a bit in parallel with the great results I've had on the international deaf circuit, although the next generation is arriving with a good level, thanks to their participation in the Fis, which is why I've decided to roll up my sleeves and get back into the fight to try and be stronger than ever.
‘I'd also like to add that taking part in the instructors' challenge is at such a high level that it's a race that makes me want to come back even stronger!
‘I'd also like to add that taking part in the instructors' challenge is at such a high level that it's a race that makes me want to come back even stronger!
télémark
philippe lau
Philippe started out competing in Alpine skiing at the Méribel ski club until he was 15, when he decided to follow in his older brother's footsteps in telemark. All thanks to his coach Denis Gacon.
Philippe tells us, ‘At the ESF, I love teaching my passion and sharing my experience on skis... and my greatest pleasure is to see my pupils progress and have fun.
Philippe tells us, ‘At the ESF, I love teaching my passion and sharing my experience on skis... and my greatest pleasure is to see my pupils progress and have fun.