Beginner Ski resorts for young family
Discussion
Looking for recommendations for ski resorts for a young family - 3x kids age 3-9.
We will be driving down, most likely with an overnight stop each way to add to the adventure.
Any recommendations for resorts with good ski schools for kids, good accessibility and family friendly options off the slopes?
I’m going next week with some mates but looking ahead to get the kids started winter 24/25. Thanks in advance!
We will be driving down, most likely with an overnight stop each way to add to the adventure.
Any recommendations for resorts with good ski schools for kids, good accessibility and family friendly options off the slopes?
I’m going next week with some mates but looking ahead to get the kids started winter 24/25. Thanks in advance!
How about
Alp D’Huez : loads of greens lower down, then progressively steeper as you go higher? A bit more going on off the slopes than other French resorts. The ice cave/sculptures is good if that’s still going.
Morzine - definitely more going on off the slopes and easier skiing. But lower altitude so less snow sure.
There’s that excellent beginners slope above Heliport in Meribel and a lot going on there if you don’t mind the prices.
Alp D’Huez : loads of greens lower down, then progressively steeper as you go higher? A bit more going on off the slopes than other French resorts. The ice cave/sculptures is good if that’s still going.
Morzine - definitely more going on off the slopes and easier skiing. But lower altitude so less snow sure.
There’s that excellent beginners slope above Heliport in Meribel and a lot going on there if you don’t mind the prices.
Probably easier to list the ones you should definitely avoid.
These are the ones with tedious access, busy/difficult returns to resort and have far more skiing than you will ever need ie. Chamonix, Verbier, Val d'Isère, St Anton. Anything touted as an experts area basically
Morzine and Les Gets are pretty mellow. Flaine is very family orientated. Both relatively easy to get to from UK. There are also lots of tiny places like Combloux which don't get any publicity in the UK which could be very good for beginners/family.
If you are close to a snow dome or dry slope, getting a few lessons will definitely pay dividends. If your kids can manage their own equipment move about and use a drag lift life will be a lot easier for you.
Might be worth putting a posting on Snowheads. Friendly bunch and loads of knowledge.
These are the ones with tedious access, busy/difficult returns to resort and have far more skiing than you will ever need ie. Chamonix, Verbier, Val d'Isère, St Anton. Anything touted as an experts area basically
Morzine and Les Gets are pretty mellow. Flaine is very family orientated. Both relatively easy to get to from UK. There are also lots of tiny places like Combloux which don't get any publicity in the UK which could be very good for beginners/family.
If you are close to a snow dome or dry slope, getting a few lessons will definitely pay dividends. If your kids can manage their own equipment move about and use a drag lift life will be a lot easier for you.
Might be worth putting a posting on Snowheads. Friendly bunch and loads of knowledge.
Courchevel 1850 every time.
Loads of nice green runs and easy blues.
Numerous areas for kids to learn and improve.
Lifts come right into the village centre.
Easy access to the massive 3 Vallées ski area if you want to go further.
Tons of entertainment, bars, restaurants, etc.
Really good shops/shopping/stuff to look at.
Indoor soft play and arcade for the 3 year old if required.
Sledging and Skidoo available.
Truly ski-in, ski-out for the majority of hotels/chalets.
Barely any walking and certainly no 'bus to the slopes' nonsense.
Loads of nice green runs and easy blues.
Numerous areas for kids to learn and improve.
Lifts come right into the village centre.
Easy access to the massive 3 Vallées ski area if you want to go further.
Tons of entertainment, bars, restaurants, etc.
Really good shops/shopping/stuff to look at.
Indoor soft play and arcade for the 3 year old if required.
Sledging and Skidoo available.
Truly ski-in, ski-out for the majority of hotels/chalets.
Barely any walking and certainly no 'bus to the slopes' nonsense.
Edited by Mont Blanc on Monday 22 January 10:18
With kids that age range I would have being as close as possible to the lifts on your must haves list!
Most of the purpose built French resorts will be suitable I should think. France is expensive for food & drink, so take as much as you can with you to keep costs down.
As you're driving Italy is probably out, but is way cheaper for food/drink.
Most of the purpose built French resorts will be suitable I should think. France is expensive for food & drink, so take as much as you can with you to keep costs down.
As you're driving Italy is probably out, but is way cheaper for food/drink.
Given the ages of your children I'd recommend Oz an Oisan, one of the smaller 'villages' that make the the Alpes d'Huez ski area.
If you're looking for night life and a big apres ski scene, well you're bang out of luck - but if you're looking for a resort with it's own, quiet beginner slopes and that feels half way to a ghost town as soon as the lifts shut (meaning you can let the children run around in the snow without worrying constantly about losing one in the crowd) it's perfect. Very good nursery/ski school for the youngest one too.
If you're looking for night life and a big apres ski scene, well you're bang out of luck - but if you're looking for a resort with it's own, quiet beginner slopes and that feels half way to a ghost town as soon as the lifts shut (meaning you can let the children run around in the snow without worrying constantly about losing one in the crowd) it's perfect. Very good nursery/ski school for the youngest one too.
I mentioned on a similar thread, but Les Saises, between Megeve and Albertville is a nice, very French, resorts. It has a good nursery/ teaching facility, some more challenging stuff and if you want a bigger day, there is a single bubble (with a great little locals bar at the bottom) up to Les Contamines, which is 10 minutes drive. Lots to do there as well.
It is not a full on late night resort, pretty quiet but lots to do. Several of the nearby villages have their own tow, which put you onto the ridge above Megeve, but ski you out south.
It is a little lower than some (1,650m), so cover can be a little thin. Not as bad as Isola or Serre Chevalier though and being on the westernmost extremity of the Mont Blanc massif, it does pick up the MB weather and can get some good dumps of snow. If it is a bit thin, just jump on the cable to Les Contamines.
Have a look at Les Deux Alpes too. Similar to Alpe d'Huez in that there's lots going on off the slopes for families, and both benefit from the european ski school where you'll be guaranteed an instructor with fluent English (ESF can be very hit and miss).
Deux Alpes has the advantage that many of the easier runs are higher up so you get that sense of adventure of going on the big lifts rather than being stuck down the bottom. It also means snow coverage is rarely an issue, I'm often there in April and never had a problem.
Deux Alpes has the advantage that many of the easier runs are higher up so you get that sense of adventure of going on the big lifts rather than being stuck down the bottom. It also means snow coverage is rarely an issue, I'm often there in April and never had a problem.
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