Bronze Mouse, Silver Crystal, Vermilion Crystal... Every Friday, dozens of children come off the slopes at Tignes with a medal whose name means nothing at all to their parents. The result: when it's time to book the following week, nobody knows which level to sign up for.
This guide sets out, in order, the full scale used by the École de Ski 333 (ESI) in Tignes and Val d'Isère: what each medal actually means on skis, how long it generally takes to earn, and how to choose the right course before booking.
In brief: The ESI 333 medal path has 7 levels, from Bronze Mouse to Diamond Crystal. Green Mouse is the starting level, before a child earns their first medal. Each level corresponds to a course to book, and the medal is awarded at the end of the week following assessment by the instructor.
The École de Ski Internationale 333 in Tignes belongs to the ESI network (Écoles de Ski Internationales). Children therefore follow the Crystal level and medal system used across all ESI schools.
Where the Crystal scale comes from (and why it differs from Flocon/Ourson)
In France, three major networks each have their own medal system: the ESF uses Flocon, Ourson and then stars (1st, 2nd, 3rd star, bronze star, gold star...); Evolution 2 has its own scale; and the ESI network (Écoles de Ski Internationales), which École 333 belongs to, created its own system built around the crystal.
The Crystal scale isn't specific to École 333: it belongs to the whole ESI network and is applied identically at other ESI schools across France (Vars, Les Saisies, La Toussuire, Aussois...). If your child has already skied at another ESI school, their last Crystal medal still counts here — no need to repeat a level. The equivalent under the Flocon/Ourson system is given in brackets in the table below.
The full ESI 333 level table
- Green Mouse (beginner) → mastering the snowplough → moves up to Bronze Mouse
- Bronze Mouse (Ourson) → easy green and blue runs in snowplough, controlled speed, first attempts at parallel skiing → moves up to International Crystal
- Crystal (Flocon) → turns from snowplough to parallel skiing across the slope, blue runs → moves up to Bronze Crystal
- Bronze Crystal (1st star) → side-slipping and traversing, turns finished in parallel, basic linked turns → moves up to Silver Crystal
- Silver Crystal (2nd star) → confident parallel skiing on blue and red runs, balanced through moguls → moves up to Vermilion Crystal
- Vermilion Crystal (3rd star) → short and medium turns (wedeln), stopping in a skid at will, speed on red runs → moves up to Gold Crystal
- Gold Crystal (bronze star) → red and black runs, controlled wedeln, all snow types, carved turns → moves up to Diamond Crystal
Once Diamond Crystal is in the bag, progression continues beyond the children's scale, with a Grand Ski course to build the technique of a confirmed skier.
What each medal actually means on skis
Beginners: from Green Mouse to International Crystal
At this stage, the goal isn't speed but control: braking, turning, stopping where you choose to. A child at International Crystal level is already skiing alone on green runs and starting to get a feel for parallel skiing, without yet mastering it.
Intermediate levels: from Bronze Crystal to Vermilion Crystal
This is the longest stage, and often the least linear. The child gradually drops the snowplough, learns to steer the turn and then finish it in parallel, and slowly gains the confidence needed to tackle red runs.
Advanced levels: Gold Crystal and Diamond Crystal
Here, wedeln, speed and different snow conditions (powder, spring snow, crusted snow) all come into play. A Diamond Crystal skier is ready for almost the entire Tignes and Val d'Isère ski area, off-piste aside.
How long does it take to move up a level?
There's no fixed rule: age, the week's snow conditions and attendance (skiing every day of the course) all affect how quickly a child progresses. Progress varies a great deal from one child to another. Some children can pass a level within a single week, while others will need several trips to consolidate what they've learned.
How to choose the right level before booking
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Do you know the last medal obtained? Locate it in the left column of the table: the right column indicates the class to book.
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Has your child never skied? There is nothing to book in International Crystal before day one: the instructor assesses the level on-site and then guides you to the right group for the rest of the stay.
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Hesitating between two levels? It is better to enroll the child in the level just below: the confidence gained in a slightly easier group often accelerates progression faster than an overly ambitious level.
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Is the medal more than a year old? Expect a slight step back on day one: a few months without skiing generally causes a minor loss of ease, which the instructor quickly catches up on.
FAQ
What level for a child who has never skied?
No level registration is necessary: the complete beginner starts directly in a suitable group lesson, and their progress over the week determines their first medal (Green mouse or Bronze mouse depending on their ease).
How long does it take to get the Diamond Crystal?
That depends entirely on the starting point and frequency of practice. A child who skis one to two weeks per season generally takes several seasons to reach it; a child who skis more often can achieve it faster.
Are Crystal medals recognized in other resorts?
Yes, directly: the Crystal scale belongs to the ESI network as a whole, not just School 333. The same medals (International, bronze, silver, vermeil, gold, diamond crystal) are used in all ESI schools in France. Only other networks, like ESF (Flocon, Ourson, stars) or Evolution 2, have a different nomenclature — but an instructor will always be able to figure out the equivalence based on what the child can do.
What happens if my child doesn't get their medal in one week?
Nothing serious: the medal rewards an acquired level, not a week of vacation. The child simply picks up at the same level during their next stay, with the advantage of a foundation already in place.
Summary
The ESI 333 grading scale can be read at a glance once you have the table in front of you: seven steps, from the Bronze mouse to the Diamond Crystal, each linked to a specific class to book. If you have any doubts about your child's level, the simplest way is to contact us before booking, or let the instructor evaluate on-site on day one.
