Courchevel Instructor Convicted For Ski Lift Sex Filming

A 21-year-old French ski instructor has been handed an eight-month suspended prison sentence by a court in Albertville after secretly filming his partner performing oral sex on a ski lift and subsequently bragging about the footage to his colleagues.

The incident, which took place inside a gondola lift in the luxury resort of Courchevel, has sent shockwaves through the French winter sports community and prompted a fierce rebuke from the national instructors' union.

The case came to light after the young woman discovered the secret recording and filed a formal police complaint in February 2025.

According to police testimonies from those close to the instructor, the young man made no effort to hide the video. Instead, he proudly displayed the footage to friends and fellow instructors, using the phrase "Long live the red uniform!"—a nod to the iconic red sweaters worn by instructors of the French Ski School (ESF). Investigators noted that he flaunted the private recording like a "trophy."

On June 1, 2026, the Albertville court found the instructor guilty and sentenced him to an eight-month suspended prison term.

Union Launches Internal Investigation

Following the publication of the court verdict in the local press, the French National Union of Ski Instructors (SNMSF) moved quickly to distance itself from the individual and condemn his actions.

Éric Brèche, president of the SNMSF, issued a stern public statement addressing the scandal. “I condemn in the strongest possible terms this kind of behavior, which has no place in our organization.”

The union has officially launched an internal investigation into the matter. Furthermore, Brèche confirmed he has referred the case directly to the national commission on sexual, physical, and psychological violence to determine disciplinary actions.

Courchevel Schools Condemn Actions

To protect the local reputation of the resort where the incident took place, the SNMSF clarified that the convicted 21-year-old was not employed by any of the official ESF branches operating directly within Courchevel.

While the localized Courchevel schools have independently joined the union in heavily condemning the instructor's behavior, officials confirmed he belongs to a ski school in a different region. The internal investigation will dictate whether he will be permanently stripped of his professional teaching credentials and uniform.