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Family Ski Holiday – Skiing Holidays with Children in France

 

Recommended resorts & accommodation  | Ski extras | Ski clothing  | Packing list  | Preparation

 

 

There is no right age to teach your child to ski – just whenever they feel ready to try out a new thing. This could be from as soon as 3 years or not until age 5 or 6. Try introducing them into skiing, they will probably love it but in some cases they may not be ready if very young so don’t rush them. Try again the next year. Spend a day at a dry ski slope…this will give a good indication as to whether your child is ready or not. It also gives them a head start in resort. It’s important to understand that where as one child may take to skiing, another may not as well – concentration is a big factor for children so the ESF (Ecole du Ski Francais – French Ski School) varies the activities in the lessons so that the children find it exciting rather than a bit of a chore. Skiing ‘en famille’ (as a family) can also be an enjoyable experience.

 

 

 

Skiing all day long normally is too much for most children but it obviously depends on their fitness level and stamina. As a guide 8-12 year olds can normally stay out for about 3 hours, so 6 half-days worth of lessons should be just right. Most ski schools offer full days for children with a break for lunch. Some will offer skiing in the morning and activities during the afternoon, others offer skiing both morning and afternoon and usually this depends on age. A 3 year old would more than definitely not be able to cope with 6 hours of skiing a day.

 

Family Friendly Ski Resorts and Accommodation – Our recommendations

Resort wise, gentle runs and nursery slopes are a must for children learning how to ski (and adults!). Resorts with well linked ski areas are best to

save the hassle of walking with your skis. Ski boots and skis are heavy and children often get very tired even walking a few hundred yards from the apartment. Ski-in Ski-out accommodation is the most convenient – skiing from the door and back to the apartment means much less walking with equipment. This type of residence often books up quickly, especially at peak times so it’s wise to book early. As an alternative, accommodation with a ski bus just outside is a good idea, again minimising the walking distance.

Choosing a resort that is quite compact as well will minimise walking distances. Furthermore a resort with lots of extra activities besides skiing is a good idea in case any children in your party aren’t so keen. Nearly all our resorts are suitable for skiing with children of any age and any ski level. If we were to select just a few, we particularly recommend these family ski resorts ( click here for map of resorts):

 

** Prices are per apartment per week including a Eurotunnel crossing for one car with FREE Flexi-Plus upgrade and are based on 4 sharing a 2 bedroom (3 room) apartment. Some supplements may apply.

 

Family ski in Morillon 1100* (Grand Massif)

Morillon 1100 has its own nursery slopes and one can also ski back to village lower down snow conditions permitting. Lifts from Morillon 1100 link Flaine, Samoens and Les Carroz making the Grand massif ski area and its massive 265km of slopes. Village des Enfants cares for children from 6 months to 10 years.  Ski kindergarten starts from 3 years with ESF. Pedestrian resort.

Residences Le Buet, Jardin Alpin* and MGM Le Refuge de l’Alpage nearly all offer ski-in ski-out accommodation. Click here for details on resort (including ski

school/lift pass info), accommodation and childcare.

Price example for Jardin Alpin: £998 per family for week 22nd December, £1321 for week 16th February, £785 for week 22nd March**

 

Family ski in La Norma* (Maurienne Valley)

La Norma has its own nursery slopes next to the centre and the north facing slopes allow for lasting snow. Small, child friendly resort with an emphasis on child safety and enjoyment. Ski kindergarten starts from 3 years with ESF. Pedestrian resort.

Residence Les Chalets de la Vanoise is at the foot of the slopes. Click here for details on resort (including ski school/lift pass info), accommodation

and childcare.

Price example: £553 per family for week 22nd December, £1029 for week 16th February, £424 for week 22nd March**

 

Family ski in Oz-en-Oisans[Alpe d’Huez] (Oisans)

Oz-en-Oisans is traffic free and safe for children, a quieter alternative to Alpe d’Huez. Being a compact resort, there is a mere walking distance

Between amenities. Take the gondola to Alpette in Vaujany to find the beginners slopes; there are also nursery slopes in Oz.  Ski back to the village

on blues and reds. Snow kindergarten starts from 4 years with ESF.

Residence Le Chalet des Neiges* is ski-in ski-out and in centre of resort. Click here for details on resort (including ski school/lift pass info),

accommodation and childcare.

Price example: £1036 per family for week 22nd December, £1239 for week 16th February, £998 for week 22nd March**

 

Family ski in Les Saisies (Mont-Blanc)

Les Saisies has gentle nursery slopes for beginners and has good snow cover throughout the winter season. Ski kindergarten from 3 years with ESF, ESF nursery from 2 years (no ski).

Residence MGM Le Village des Lapons* has direct access to slopes and 300m from ski school. Click here for details on resort (including ski school/lift

pass info), accommodation and childcare.

Price example: £1135 per family for week 22nd December, £1496 for week 16th February, £906 for week 22nd March**

 

Family ski in Samoens* (Grand Massif)

Samoens has an excellent nursery slope area at Samoens 1600 (reached by high speed gondola from village), one of the biggest in the Haute-Savoie. From Samoens 1600 you can ski to Morillon, Les Carroz and Flaine via the Grand Massif lift system. Ski kindergarten from 3 years with ESF.

Residence Les Fermes de Samoens* has a free shuttle bus that will take you the short distance to the gondola to access the slopes. Little walking

involved with skis. Click here for details on resort (including ski school/lift pass info), accommodation and childcare.

Price example: £755 per family for week 22nd December, £1059 for week 16th February, £538 for week 22nd March**

 

Family ski in Les Houches (Mont-Blanc)

Les Houches is a friendly, relaxed resort and a great base for families. The slopes are normally uncrowded and have some good easy runs at the

top of the mountain. Ski kindergarten from 3 years with ESF.

Residence MGM Les Hauts de Chavants* has direct access to the slopes (ski to lift and ski school/nursery, ski back to apartment). Click here for

details on resort (including ski school/lift pass info), accommodation and childcare.

Price example: £797 per family for week 22nd December, £1052 for week 16th February, £589 for week 22nd March**

 

Family ski in Saint Martin de Belleville (3 Vallees)

Saint Martin is an old farming village with plenty of charm and has good nursery slope for beginners from the centre of the village. Ski school from

6 years, ESF childrens club (no ski) from 2.5 years.

Residence Les Chalets du Gypse* has direct access to this nursery slopes as it runs by the residence. This is a prestige ski-in ski-out residence.

Click here for details on resort (including ski school/lift pass info), accommodation and childcare.

Price example: £1794 per family for week 22nd December, £2032 for week 16th February, £1344 for week 22nd March**

 

Family ski in Serre-Chevalier [1350] (Oisans)

Serre-Chevalier has several easy skiing areas with green runs leading back to the village (Chantemerle 1350) and a nursery slope at bottom. Ski kindergarten from 3 years with ESF.

Residence MGM Le Hameau du Rocher Blanc* is very close to slopes/lifts, ski school and nursery plus is possible to ski back close to apartments. Click here for details on resort (including ski school/lift pass info), accommodation and childcare.

Price example: £1211 per family for week 22nd December, £1438 for week 16th February, £890 for week 22nd March**

 

Family ski in Vaujany* [Alpe d’Huez] (Oisans)

Vaujany is a popular family skiing resort with a beginner’s area at the top of the lift from the village. The top and the bottom of the village are linked by a covered escalator system. Ski kindergarten from 4 years with ESF, an excellent ski school.

Residence La Cascade is at the foot of the cable car and ski school meeting point is next to the apartments. Click here for details on resort (including ski school/lift pass info), accommodation and childcare.

Price example: £777 per family for week 22nd December, £1044 for week 16th February, £593 for week 22nd March**

 

The following resorts/accommodation should also be considered: Family ski in Peisey-Vallandry*: L’Arollaie*, Family ski in Sainte-Foy: Les Fermes de Sainte-Foy*, Family ski in Les Deux Alpes: Alpina Lodge, Family ski in Saint-Jean d’Arves: Les Chalets de la Fontaine*, Family ski in Valloire*: Les Chalets du Galibier*, Family ski in Les Gets*: Hotel Regina

 

** Prices are per apartment per week including a Eurotunnel crossing for one car with FREE Flexi-Plus upgrade and are based on 4 sharing a 2 bedroom (3 room) apartment.  Some supplements may apply.  For other transport options please click here.

 

* Famille Plus label resort. Click here for details on what this means. * Indoor pool

 

Family Ski Extras

We can pre-book your ski hire, lift passes and ski school for your family ski holiday so you have budgeted for them before you travel.

 

Pre-booked through us, ski hire is cheaper than in resort. 6 day adult skis and boots (+13yrs) start from £49 for beginners to £84 for experts. We can also arrange skis only from £37 for beginners to £63 for experts. Child skis and boots (0-6yrs) start from £29 and junior skis and boots (7-12yrs) from £38. We can offer 7 days for the price of 6 allowing you to pick up your equipment the day of arrival. Click here for further details.

 

Lift pass prices vary from resort to resort with the cheapest 6 day pass costing £71 per adult and £61 per child (Aussois). Normally children under 5 get a free pass but again this does vary from resort to resort. Click here for further details.

 

Ski school can be booked through the ESF (except Les Deux Alpes where we use the ESS) before you travel. Prices start from £51 per adult/child in Les Saisies for 6 half-day lessons. Click here for further details.

 

Don’t forget your Wintersports Insurance! Ski insurance prices start from £74 per family. Click here for details.

 

Ski Clothing for Children

The aim is to be warm but not so hot that you overheat. The best way to do this is with layers so that you can easily adjust your body temperature

by removing a layer if you get too hot. Make sure your child has a warm hat, waterproof ski gloves, a snowsuit (or if have a snow jacket and

sallopettes try to get a jacket that has a snow catching skirt so that the snow cant travel up the inside of the jacket if your child falls), suitable  socks, ski glasses and goggles (adequate eye care is a must when the sun is shining and even when it’s not, goggles for snowy weather) and a

helmet is highly recommended for children under 12.

 

Skiing with children - Packing list

·          Suncream

·          First aid kit

·          Adaptors for appliances

·          Books and toys

·          Ski gloves

·          Sunglasses/Googles

·          Snow suit or a jacket and sallopettes

·          Clothes to aid with layering under jackets – vests, t-shirts, tights etc

·          Hat

·          Snow boots

·          Ski socks

·          Travel cot

·          Backpack

·          Bottles/formula for babies

·          Sterilisation equipment for bottles

·          Tea towels (if residence doesn’t provide)

 

 

 

Family Ski - Preparation for the snow each morning

·          Make sure you have time for breakfast packed with carbohydrates (e.g cereal) to provide energy for skiing and warmth.

·          Wear warm, waterproof clothing – several thin layers are best. Hats are a must for children and decent gloves.

·          Apply factor 30 sun cream and take lip balm and spare sun cream out on the slopes.

·          Before your child heads off to ski school/ski kindergarten make sure you pack them a little chocolate or sweet portion plus some fruit to

         keep their energy levels up and something to drink.

 

Family Safe Holidays

Family Safe Holidays is a website in which you can store information that may be needed in an emergency. They can also help to find telephone numbers for organisations who can help families in an incident or emergency. Click here for more information about Family Safe Holidays and to register free of charge.

 

 

Should you have any further queries about ski for families you can contact one of our team on

0844 576 0170 or email us at reservations@peakretreats.co.uk

 

© Peak Retreats Limited 2008