The art of freestyle skiing: Ludo pushes himself and his students to the limit!
Published on 13/02/2026 - Written by Marie
While the vast majority of holidaymakers enjoy downhill skiing on the 600km of pistes in the 3 Vallées area, freestyle skiing offers a completely different way of enjoying the pleasures of the slopes.
We invite you to discover the new challenges and sensations on offer in Val Thorens, through the portrait of Ludovic Vidonne, an ESF instructor with a passion for skiing and freestyle.
From ski-club to ESF Val Thorens: the career of an enthusiast
Born in La Roche-sur-Foron, Ludo put on his first skis at a very early age and never let them go.
After working his way up through the Bonneville Ski Club, he trained in Chamonix, where he obtained his Brevet d'État (state diploma) in alpine skiing and snowboarding, before teaching at Le Grand Bornand for 4 years. He left to join the Val Thorens esf in 2015, when Club Med was created.
Whether an apprentice skier or a qualified instructor, Ludovic learns freestyle skiing by himself over the course of the different seasons he spends on the slopes, and now teaches it to students who are curious and keen to take on new challenges during their holidays. A keen traveller, he has also lived in New Zealand and Australia, where he worked as a ski instructor.
Whether an apprentice skier or a qualified instructor, Ludovic learns freestyle skiing by himself over the course of the different seasons he spends on the slopes, and now teaches it to students who are curious and keen to take on new challenges during their holidays. A keen traveller, he has also lived in New Zealand and Australia, where he worked as a ski instructor.
But Ludo is passionate about snow sports, and he's not content to restrict himself to the winter season: he's also a wakeboard instructor in the summer, and takes advantage of his holidays to go surfing. Last summer, he even travelled up Central America with his board under his arm!
Meet Ludo in Val Thorens !Freestyle, another way to experience the mountains of Val Thorens
While safety rules are essential in freestyle skiing, the style, inventiveness and fun of the sport set it apart from downhill skiing. Ludo's challenge on the slopes? Channelling the enthusiasm of the most daredevil skiers and encouraging the more reserved skiers.
With its different modules, the Val Thorens snowpark also offers a playground designed for all levels of skier to learn and progress in the best possible conditions.
With its different modules, the Val Thorens snowpark also offers a playground designed for all levels of skier to learn and progress in the best possible conditions.
The objectives are adapted to the pupils and their level of ability, so you can be sure of a successful experience every time. Skiing downhill with your back to the slope or over a small bump is already freestyle, and it's a great opportunity to discover new skiing sensations!
But the most important thing is to master the speed and momentum that are key to pulling off a series of tricks without injury. Ludo is particularly attentive to children at this stage, guiding them before each jump to ensure that their trajectories are clean and safe.
But the most important thing is to master the speed and momentum that are key to pulling off a series of tricks without injury. Ludo is particularly attentive to children at this stage, guiding them before each jump to ensure that their trajectories are clean and safe.
ESF freestyle ski courses: who are they for and how do they work?
There are around 300 instructors at esf Val Thorens, but only five or six really specialise in freestyle. Every winter, these instructors, including Ludo, run four to five week courses dedicated to the discipline.
These courses are mainly aimed at children and teenagers aged 9 to 17 who have obtained the Étoile d'Or. The programme is varied: freestyle in the snowpark, ski cross, discovery of off-piste and all-terrain skiing.
These courses are mainly aimed at children and teenagers aged 9 to 17 who have obtained the Étoile d'Or. The programme is varied: freestyle in the snowpark, ski cross, discovery of off-piste and all-terrain skiing.
To ensure safe supervision and strict rules in the park, groups have a maximum of six to ten students. Optimal conditions for everyone to progress, including the very young. Some will land a 360°, others just their first straight jumps, but everyone leaves with at least one or two tricks up their sleeve.
Whether you're skiing or snowboarding, on piste or off-piste, freestyle becomes a fun gateway to a different way of skiing, one that's less conventional than alpine skiing. Ludo is constantly adapting his teaching to introduce his pupils to this exhilarating freedom, with no time limits, few constraints and lots of creativity.
Whether you're skiing or snowboarding, on piste or off-piste, freestyle becomes a fun gateway to a different way of skiing, one that's less conventional than alpine skiing. Ludo is constantly adapting his teaching to introduce his pupils to this exhilarating freedom, with no time limits, few constraints and lots of creativity.
And in Val Thorens, it's hard to find a better setting for pushing back your limits!
Freestyle from the age of 8!