Timothée Hagnerelle
“I’m Timothée, a ski instructor who has loved skiing since I could walk, or nearly.”
What drives me is passing it on: sharing my love of the mountains and giving you the keys to move through them freely and confidently. My experience as an elite coach, together with training in mental preparation, taught me one essential thing: confidence comes before performance.
Unlocking every skier’s potential
Beyond pure technique, I believe in a holistic approach. We start from your goals, your worries and your ambitions to build a progression together. Whether it is a mental block or a technical plateau, we look for what unlocks it.
My goal is the same for every skier, from complete beginner to racer: nail the turn you thought was impossible and, above all, enjoy it.
- Age 2First turns in La Plagne, taught by parents who were both instructors.
- Until 19Ski school and competition with the La Plagne ski club: moguls, halfpipe, slopestyle.
- 20 years teachingInstructor at ESF La Plagne Aime 2000, from beginners to experts.
- 15 years coachingAt the La Plagne ski club: seven young skiers from the team reached the World Cup. Coached Tess Ledeux in her early years, up to her X-Games silver medal.
- TodayPrivate lessons and coaching with the Savoie ski committee (Savoie freestyle ski team).
Training
- Brevet d’État in alpine skiing (French State-qualified instructor)
- Brevet d’État in water skiing
- Mental coaching training (Stratégie de la réussite, Philippe Leclair)
- Civil engineering degree (handy for building igloos)
SIRET 519 360 994 00015 · Professional sports instructor card 03810ED0310
More than 60 countries
Hitchhiking to Ukraine then crossing Siberia by train, hitchhiking from France to Iran, Africa by 4x4, skiing Huayna Potosí in Bolivia, the Karakoram Highway, self-supported skiing and climbing in Kyrgyzstan, a month in the Annapurnas…
These journeys taught me adaptability, humility and patience, qualities I bring to every student.
Some of the athletes I coached
During 15 years at the La Plagne ski club, I coached young skiers from their first jump to the biggest competitions. Here are a few of their journeys.
- Tess LedeuxWorld champion, multiple X Games gold medallist, Olympic silver medallist at Beijing.@tessledeux
- Kim Dumont ZanellaFrench champion and Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Games.@kim_dumont_
- Fantine DegrooteFrench champion and World Championships.@fantinedegroote
- Timothé RochFrench runner-up, World Junior Championships and Youth Olympic Games.@timotheroch
- Eliot GorryFrench runner-up, World Cup and university world championships silver medallist.@eliotgorry
- Ferdinand BelletFrench champion in his age category, a promising young freestyle skier.@ferdi._.b
What people often ask me
Who is Timothée Hagnerelle?
French State-qualified ski instructor, born and raised in La Plagne, with nearly 20 years of teaching and 15 years as a coach at the La Plagne ski club, up to the World Cup circuit. Trained in mental coaching, I also wrote the book “La Plagne, une histoire de ski et de champions”. More on the Your instructor page.
Are you qualified and insured?
Yes. I hold the French State Diploma in ski instruction (the highest teaching qualification in France), I am affiliated with the ESF and covered by professional insurance, off-piste included.
Have you coached champions?
Yes. I spent more than 15 years training freestyle skiers at the La Plagne ski club, from young kids to the World Cup. They include Tess Ledeux (world champion, multiple X Games gold medallist, Olympic silver medallist at Beijing), Kim Dumont Zanella (French champion, Milan Cortina 2026 Olympics), Fantine Degroote (French champion, World Championships), Timothé Roch (French runner-up, World Junior Championships and Youth Olympic Games) and Eliot Gorry (French runner-up, World Cup, university world championships silver medallist). Their stories, with their Instagram accounts, are on the Your instructor page. That experience helps beginners too: it lets me spot quickly what is holding you back.
Do you teach in English?
Yes, I teach in French and English.
How do you help nervous skiers?
By listening, being patient and choosing the right slopes. Trained in mental coaching, I work step by step on balance and control to turn anxiety into enjoyment. My free guide “Ski with Confidence” gives 6 simple tools to try even before your trip: see the free guides.
Why book with you rather than directly with the ESF?
You choose your instructor and keep them. You talk to me directly, we build a tailored plan together and I stay your single point of contact from the first message to the last turn.
It would be a pleasure to share some mountain time with you.
Christmas and February half-term go first. Send me your dates and I will reply personally within 24 hours.