The teaching of sliding sports in France, such as alpine skiing and snowboarding is reserved for sports educators, holders of a State diploma for the teaching of skiing or snowboarding issued by the Ministry of Youth and Sports , after training provided by the National School of Ski and Mountaineering (ENSA), located in Chamonix (Haute-Savoie). These can teach alpine skiing and related disciplines such as snowboarding and telemark on and off piste, but outside glacial zones.

All French ski instructors have followed the same training but are free to choose a ski school or to work as a self-employed person not affiliated to any group or union, the main ones being:

The National Union of French Ski Instructors (SNMSF) on which the French Ski Schools (ESF) depend

The International Union of Ski Instructors (SIMS) on which the International Ski Schools (ESI) depend

To exercise as a ski instructor in France, it suffices and you must be a graduate or have a diploma recognized as European by the French State, be declared to the departmental delegation of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Cohesion and so get your professional card, have insurance professional civil liability and pay its charges.

With Europe and the European Union, European ski schools and ski instructors have entered the market. In order for these structures to be able to work in France, they must comply with French law (declaration to the departmental directorate of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Cohesion, payment of French charges and taxes)