European Travel Awards 2025 Best All-Year-Round Camp Experience 2025 - Switzerland Les Elfes International is a pioneer in outdoor education and intercultural exchange. At a time when digital distractions are everywhere, the company offers children the chance to reconnect with nature, discover their potential, and build friendships. We learn more from the company’s CEO. Famed for its international summer and winter camps, Les Elfes International (Les Elfes) is a Swiss family-owned company founded in 1987, offering residential and day winter and summer camps for boys and girls aged 6 to 17. Each year, the company welcomes over 10,000 young people from 75 different nationalities to campuses in Verbier, Crans-Montana, La Tzoumaz, and Niseko, Japan. The firm’s winter programmes combine world-class skiing/ snowboarding with language courses, creative workshops, cultural excursions, and leadership activities, creating a balance of education, adventure, and personal growth. Additionally, in the summer, the company offers 45 outdoor activities which are run by age ranges, for year-round excitement. With core values emphasising safety, quality, and fun, Les Elfes International believes in building confidence, resilience, and independence while creating unforgettable memories. “For four decades, we have been trusted by parents and schools worldwide for our professional standards and unique ability to inspire young people to discover their full potential,” explains Alexandra Stettler, daughter of the company’s founding family and CEO . “What truly defines us is the long-lasting impact our programmes have on young people’s lives. 20% of our campers return year after year, sharing the same spirit and values, whilst parents choose us not only for the quality of our campuses and programmes, but because they know their children are in safe, caring hands.” What sets Les Elfes apart in the travel and education industry is its ability to combine the professionalism of a premium organisation with the warmth of a family-owned business. Founded in 1987, Les Elfes is the only camp in Switzerland open every Saturday, 10 months a year, offering continuity and flexibility that few can match. Unlike many operators, the camp also owns and manages its chalets, ensuring the highest standards of safety, comfort, and quality. This, combined with the dedicated resort managers, professional instructors, and comprehensive safeguarding policies, mean that families know their children are cared for in a secure, supportive environment. “Our USP lies in the balance we create: a world-class skiing and outdoor adventure, intercultural education, and personal development, all delivered through our core values,” Alexandra enthuses. “This holistic approach makes Les Elfes not just a camp, but a life-changing experience that parents, schools, and students choose year after year.” In the travel industry today, Alexandra has seen a growing demand for experiential and educational travel, where families and schools look for more than just holidays. Instead, they want meaningful programmes that combine adventure with personal growth. Parents are increasingly prioritising safety, wellbeing, and intercultural experiences for their children, alongside activities that promote safe fun, independence, and healthy lifestyles. “Specific to Switzerland and our region, there is a strong emphasis on year-round mountain tourism,” Alexandra elaborates. “While Switzerland is best known for its winter sports, there is a growing interest in spring and summer camps, which offer hiking, biking, and cultural experiences in addition to skiing. This aligns perfectly with Les Elfes being the only Swiss camp open for 10 months a year, giving us a competitive advantage in meeting evolving demand.” Internal culture within Les Elfes is built on the same pillars that it actively promotes to its students: safety, quality, and fun. Within the company, the team fosters an environment where professionalism goes hand-in-hand with warmth, teamwork, and genuine passion for working outdoors with children. To ensure staff are fully prepared, the camp runs a comprehensive training week before every season, covering everything from first aid and safeguarding to programme delivery, mountain safety, and child conflict management. It also emphasises clear guidelines through a staff handbook and code of conduct, ensuring consistency. Ongoing coaching, daily debriefings, and close support helps maintain these high standards. It is down to this steadfast commitment to safety, quality and fun, that recently earned Les Elfes a top spot in the European Travel Awards 2025. Being crowned Best All-Year-Round Camp Experience 2025 – Switzerland is testament to the dedication of all the staff. This year is an exciting one, marked by continuity and innovation. In winter 2025, Les Elfes is opening a brand new La Tzoumaz campus, adding more beds to its capacity and strengthening its presence in the renowned 4 Vallées area. This investment demonstrates long-term commitment to growth, quality, and offering families more choice in world-class locations. Les Elfes is also expanding internationally, following the successful launch of its Niseko campus in Japan in 2024. This allowed the firm to introduce its philosophy to Asia, thus broadening its reach and giving families new opportunities to experience the camps. “Our vision is to remain the leading international camp provider, trusted by parents and schools worldwide,” Alexandra tells us. “Our future lies in continuing to innovate while staying true to our core values.” Contact Details: Consuelo Ranzani Contact: [email protected] Company: Les Elfes International Web Address: www.leselfes.com
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