Ski holidays are a great option for the whole family, but when it comes to planning when and where to go and how much to spend, you need to know what you are doing. Well, there are some ways to make your family skiing trip a little easier. Here are a few options and services offered to those vacationing with family in the French Alps.
Family-friendly chalets
Finding the right place to stay to suit your family’s needs can sometimes be a pain. You want a safe comfortable environment with the space to make sure everyone is happy. When you choose a family-friendly chalet, you get just that.
Family chalets have a close proximity to the slopes and the resort centre which means you won’t have to travel the kids a long way from your accommodation. There’s also plenty of space and child safe facilities and even childcare. Most families like the home from home feel of a chalet and there are also various catering options so you don’t have to think too much about meal times.
If you are worrying about keeping small children and toddlers safe then you should know some chalets have high chairs, stair gates, and even playrooms to keep the kids entertained.
Childcare options
Your children might be too young to get out on the slopes with you or you may just need a night out knowing the kids are safely looked after back at the chalet. Some tour operators such as www.skifamille.co.uk offer a range of childcare services to suit all of your needs. This means you can take to the slopes knowing your kids are being well taken care of.
Babies and toddlers are looked after by qualified nannies and carers within your chalet so you have the peace of mind that they are safe and having fun whilst you enjoy your skiing. You’ll have a choice of options such as morning ski sessions or afternoon kid’s clubs.
Full days of care also include lunch, so if you are out all day they will be well fed in an organized but fun environment. Pick and choose the best sessions to suit your family’s needs. Many families like to enjoy skiing in the morning, and then spending time together in the afternoon.
Kid-friendly après ski
Entertainment in family resorts in the Alps is plentiful. Of course, you need to keep energetic children occupied even after a long day in the snow. Activities available to try might include active things to do such as tobogganing, ice skating, and swimming. But also relaxing things to do like chilling out and watching a film at the cinema.
Choosing a ski resort that caters to families will mean there are plenty of options to relax and entertain the whole family. You may have to pay and pre-book some activities whilst others can be included in your package holiday. Bigger family resorts have indoor activity centers and swimming pools which means you don’t always have to do things outdoors.
In good family-friendly resorts, your children will never have the opportunity to be bored. And remember, if you want to take advantage of some adult time for après ski you can rely on childcare or baby-sitting services.
A good choice of ski schools
There are many ski schools in the Alps to choose from and finding them in your native language is the best thing to do. In France for example, you’ll find British ski schools such as BASS in many resorts including Chamonix, Chatel, Courchevel, Les Gets, Megeve, Meribel, Morzine, and Val d’Isere. You’ll also find ultimate Snow sports in both Tignes and Val d’Isere.
There’s a good choice, from individual lessons to small or large groups and you can choose the best company and style to suit your needs.
You should always make sure if you are a beginner then you take skiing lessons. Having lessons as a family makes the whole experience more enjoyable. Even if you take lessons at the same time but separately, the kids will be immersed in learning and enjoying themselves.
Free and discounted child places
At certain times of the year, usually in the first week and last week of the ski season, you’ll find offers including free child places. Skiing may be an expensive sport and having to pay full price for the kids can make the costs rack up.
The school holidays are usually the most expensive time to ski. However, school holidays change depending on what country you are in so use that to your advantage. Check different resorts and dates to find the best offers for your family.
Some companies have cheap offers and free places for children if you book early. This means it might be a good idea to book your trip in advance. But if you leave it to the last minute you could also find a deal. It depends on how strict you are with your dates and how far in advance you need to book.
Which resorts are family-friendly in the French Alps?
When you choose the Alps in France you’ll find an excellent location for your family holiday, but which resort is best for you? Here are a few options to choose from when you are looking for a family-friendly skiing destination.
Les Gets – This resort is perfect for families that are looking for amazing scenery, great chalet accommodations, and many different ski options. There are offers over 650km of snowy pistes and almost 200 lifts. There are family-focused ski schools, restaurants, and cafes in this small laid-back resort. A favorite with families.
La Plange – If you are looking for High altitude skiing then La Plagne 1800 is an excellent choice. The traditional Savoyard atmosphere combines excellent skiing and accommodation right next to the slopes. Great for those keen skiers who want their kids to be entertained whilst the adults are on the ski slopes.
Les Bruyeres – This small, partly traditional resort is ideal for active families. There is a wide range of amenities for both adults and children. There are bars, restaurants, and a great indoor swimming pool and spa. Ski schools catering for kids are great here too.
Avoriaz -Another resort excellent for families. The Village des Enfants in the center offers plenty of activities and special children’s slopes. There’s also Aquariaz water park which both has indoor and outdoor pools to enjoy. Chalets here are close to the slopes ideal for those who want to ski in ski-out accommodation.
So, will you choose the Alps for your next family ski trip?
As you can see there are so many reasons that the Alps are the perfect place to spend your family skiing trip. There are lots of family-friendly resorts to stay in which cater especially for families with children of all ages. Your ski holidays may change now you have children. But if you take advantage of the many childcare options available from tour operators, you can still enjoy your time skiing. Being safe in the knowledge the kids are being well looked after and enjoying themselves too. Where will you be choosing for your next family ski holiday?