Floss - Ski Coach and Director at FREEFLO

A British ski instructor with over 19 seasons of experience

featured in Meet the locals Author Ana Hernández, Tignes Editor Updated 20 November 2017

Offering not only private and group ski lessons but also women-specific courses and experiences in the backcountry, Floss is definitely a great choice when looking for an experienced instructor in Tignes. And we are proud to announce that she has joined the Tignesnet team as our new snow reporter this season. Welcome to the family, Floss!

Floss taught in ski schools all around the world for 13 winters before deciding to set up her coaching business in Tignes. Her years of experience make her the perfect person to go down your first pistes with or to tackle challenging backcountry adventures. Eager to know more about her unique approach to teaching and skiing, as well as her insider tips to enjoying a holiday in Tignes, we decided to ask her some questions.

An experienced ski instructor in the Alps

Tell us a little bit about your business, FREEFLO Ski Coaching
FREEFLO specialises in progressive on and off-piste ski instruction, backcountry ski touring, workshops and women-specific ski courses. We offer personal British ski instruction for skiers of all abilities, although our sweet spot is helping competent skiers to improve their technique on and off-piste and in the backcountry. Our intuitive coach-approach will help you to progress, have fun and enjoy the full freedom of the mountains in a safe and confident manner.

Why did you decide to start your own ski instructing/guiding business?
Because I love ski teaching and have a great passion for the mountains. I also wanted the freedom of being my own boss.

What were you doing before?
Proper corporate jobs, including banking. I then went into ski teaching for ski schools all around the world for 13 seasons.

What is special about your business? What sets you apart from everyone else?
It is quite rare as I am British, female ski teacher working in France with 19 seasons of mountain experience who has a great passion for teaching, guiding in the off-piste and ski touring in the backcountry. My business, FREEFLO, provides a unique product that it is completely flexible and adaptable, offering clients an adventure and learning experience that is tailored to their needs.

What is in store for the future with your business, any exciting projects in the pipelines that you can share with us?
Building on my existing mountain experience and qualifications, I am currently doing my International Mountain Leader Award that will allow FREEFLO to offer even more exciting adventures in more amazing locations all year round.

Ski coaching in Tignes

Do you remember your first time in Tignes?
I first came to Tignes, in 2005, to do the ski race training for my Eurotest which was part of my ski instructor's diploma. Tignes has been a part of the FREEFLO evolution since the beginning.

What makes Tignes such a special place to be for a ski instructor compared to other resorts?
Tignes is a gem of a resort and is made up of five different villages offering you great skiing from 1550m to 3600m. There always is snow here when other resorts are struggling and, with good resort facilities and great friends, it is a great place to live all year round.

Do the particularities of the Tignes mountains influence the range of lessons you offer?
What I love about teaching in Tignes and in the Espace Killy is the variety of terrain that allows me to teach all different ages and ski abilities. For example, in the morning I could be teaching a beginner skier on the perfect pisted gentle slope and in the afternoon I could be teaching off piste steep skiing in a secret couloir.

Can you tell us about any especially interesting groups you've provided instruction or guiding for? Any anecdotes?
During my 16 years of teaching and entering my 20th winter season, I have obviously come across many different people and interesting groups. I will never forget one family with two teenagers that had Terrets (Tourette's Syndrome). I wasn’t made aware of this but very quickly realised something wasn’t right when we got on the first chairlift and abuse was being hurled for no apparent reason. It was a challenging week and but it was one of the most rewarding teaching experiences I have had.

Top tips from a local

What is your favourite area within the Tignes ski resort? Why?
Just two ski lifts away from my front door I can be standing on the Col De Palet which a secret magical gateway to backcountry ski touring heaven. This is one of my favourite places to be.

Any pistes that you prefer? And off-piste areas?
I love playing in the Sache valley on and off the piste as it's quiet and away from the crowds.

Any restaurant in the valley that you can recommend for a special occasion?
I love going to La Ferme in Tignes, a family owned restaurant which specialises in top quality local Savoyard dishes. The fondue is to die for. Make sure you book ahead as it is always busy.

Where will we find the best coffee or hot chocolate?
This is easy to answer, being a coffee connoisseur and snob I always have a great flat white and coffee in Planks coffee shop in Val Claret and an espresso in the Italian Jam Bar in Le Lac.

And a great bar for a drink?
I really enjoy a Belgium beer in the Embu, which is a French bar in Le Lac. If I fancy a glass of great wine and good company then I pop into the friendly So Bar in Lavachet.

Finally, give us a top tip to go skiing in Tignes.
Start your ski day a little bit earlier at 08:45 (only a few lifts are open at this time so you will need to check which ones) and get the first tracks ahead of the ski school traffic.