Family Ski Holiday – Skiing Holidays with Children in France

Recommended resorts & accommodation  | Ski extras | 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. Resorts that say either FAMILLE PLUS OR TOP OF THE FRENCH ALPS next to them reflect a grading issued by SkiFrance. For more information about this please view the Famille Plus & Top of the French Alps page here.

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.

Prices applicable to winter 2011/2012 season.

PREMIER VALUE FOR MONEY - AUSSOIS

Family ski in Aussois (Maurienne Valley) [FAMILLE PLUS – ideal for kids]

Aussois is a charming family orientated village and is suited mainly to beginners and intermediates with green easy cruising runs down to the village. Ski kindergarten from 3 years with ESF.

Residence Les Flocons d’Argent is at the bottom of the slopes, ski-in ski-out & opposite the snow kindergarten. View here for details on Aussois resort (including ski school/lift pass info), accommodation and childcare.

Resorts such as Aussois are generally cheaper when buying your daily groceries as compared with big a-list resorts. What’s more they are often a lot quieter than larger resorts as they are more hidden secret resorts. Aussois is only 15mins away from motorway exit or train links, compared with some larger resorts where you have a 30-45min drive from the motorway exit up to the resort along very windy mountain roads.

AUSSOIS PRICE EXAMPLE WITH PEAK RETREATS 11/12:

Save £1340 per party for a family of 4 by switching to a less well know resort such as Aussois. Aussois maintains a very good snow record, so there is no reason not to come to a resort like Aussois – great snow, great village atmosphere, great ski-in ski-out accommodation and what’s more, great prices! Why pay £1340 more when you don’t need to for overpriced resorts.

*SkiCollection. Resort: Les Menuires (3 Valleys) – Residence ‘Aconit’

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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, and MGM Le Refuge de l’Alpage nearly all offer ski-in ski-out accommodation. View here for details on Morillon resort (including ski school/lift pass info), accommodation and childcare.

PRICE EXAMPLE 11/12:

Le Buet £981 per family for week 24/12, £1282 for week 11/02, £525 for week 31/03**

Family ski in La Norma (Maurienne Valley) [FAMILLE PLUS]

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.

New residence Les Balcons d’Anais is at the foot of the slopes. View here for details on La Norma resort (including ski school/lift pass info), accommodation and childcare.

PRICE EXAMPLE 09/10:

Les Balcons d’Anais £754 per family for week 26/12, £1134 for week 11/02, £434 for week 31/03**

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

PRICE EXAMPLE 11/12:

Chalet des Neiges £1766 per family for week 24/12, £1816 for week 11/02, £1264 for week 31/03**

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).

Le Village des Lapons* has direct access to slopes and 300m from ski school. View here for details on Les Saisies resort (including ski school/lift pass info), accommodation and childcare.

PRICE EXAMPLE 11/12:

Village des Lapons £2395 per family for week 24/12, £2150 for week 11/02, £1270 for week 31/03**

Family ski in Samoens (Grand Massif) [FAMILLE PLUS]

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.

New residence La Reine des Pres* is within walking distance to the gondola to access the slopes. View here for details on Samoens resort (including ski school/lift pass info), accommodation and childcare.

PRICE EXAMPLE 11/12:

La Reine des Pres £2021 per family for week 24/12, £2109 for week 11/02, £1436 for week 31/03**

Family ski in Les Houches (Mont-Blanc) [FAMILLE PLUS]

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.

Les Hameau de Pierre Blanche* is an MGM residence with great views incl. indoor pool and leisure facilities. View here for  details on Les Houches resort (including ski school/lift pass info), accommodation and childcare.

PRICE EXAMPLE 11/12:

Le Hameau de Pierre Blanche £2198 per family for week 24/12, £2312 for week 11/02, £1328 for week 31/03**

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.

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

PRICE EXAMPLE 11/12:

Les Chalets du Gypse £2831 per family for week 24/12, £2980 for week 11/02, £1264 for week 31/03**

Family ski in Serre-Chevalier [1350] (Oisans) [FAMILLE PLUS] [TOP OF THE FRENCH ALPS]

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

PRICE EXAMPLE 11/12:

Le Hameau du Rocher Blanc £1955 per family for week 24/12, £1975 for week 11/02, £1055 for week 31/03**

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

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

PRICE EXAMPLE 11/12:

La Cascade £991 per family for week £1151 per family for week 24/12, £1428 for week 11/02, £787 for week 31/03**

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 [FAMILLE PLUS & TOP OF THE FRENCH ALPS]: Alpina Lodge, Family ski in Saint-Jean d’Arves: Les Chalets des Marmottes, Family ski in Valloire [FAMILLE PLUS]: Les Chalets du Galibier, Family ski in Les Carroz [FAMILLE PLUS]: Les Chalets du Jouvence * Family ski in Grand Bornand  [FAMILLE PLUS]: Le Village de Lessy *

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 view here.

** Over last season 95% of our clients who used the FlexiPlus service rated it either Excellent (76%) or Good in their post holiday satisfaction questionnaire.

“The Flexi Plus ticket is worth its weight in gold and thoroughly recommended to anyone travelling in the half term period”

Mr P. Les Balcons de Val Cenis Le Haut in Val Cenis (19/02/11)

* 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 £54 for beginners to £91 for experts. We can also arrange skis only from £39 for beginners to £69 for experts. Child skis and boots (0-6yrs) start from £37 and junior skis and boots (7-12yrs) from £42. We can offer 7 days for the price of 6 allowing you to pick up your equipment the day of arrival. View here for further details.

Lift pass prices vary from resort to resort with the cheapest 6 day pass costing £113 per adult and £95 per child. Normally children under 5 get a free pass but again this does vary from resort to resort. View here for further details.

Ski school can be booked through the ESF (except Les Deux Alpes where we use the ESF & ESS) before you travel. Prices start from £85 per adult/child for 6 half-day lessons. View here for further details.

Don’t forget your Wintersports Insurance! Ski insurance prices start from £71 per family. View here for details.

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. View 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