With a little planning before you arrive, skiing can be a fantastic family holiday. Childcare facilities and ski school do get very busy so if possible book well in advance. However, we know the kid’s can get bored quickly, and if that’s the case why not take them to do something out of the ordinary.
Try out sledge racing on Savonnette nursery slopes, sledging by the Savonnette drag lifts, ice skating opposite the Olympic gondola, taking on the climbing wall at the Centre des Congres or taking them on a moonlit descent. For details of events there is a free weekly magazine called ‘Val Scope’ that you can get your hands on – printed in both English and French.
Where to stay
Supertravel has a number of chalets in 1850, many ski in, ski out. Resort staff will drive your young ones to and from ski school and nannies are available five days a week. For tour operators, try
Inghams, who has a number of chalets and apartments plus the odd hotel. Children under 18 have free insurance so long as the adults take out Inghams insurance (Saturday flights).
Mark Warner are an alternative child-friendly tour operator (Sunday flights).
Top ski school tips
- Children generally can start skiing from around four years old (older for snowboarding)
- Young children, or those new to skiing, may only manage half a day - it can be very tiring when they're not used to it
- Plenty of high factor suncream is essential - factor 30+ and water resistant
- Younger eyes are more sensitive so it is important to make kids wear good quality sunglasses or goggles all the time. If you only plan to buy one or the other, buy goggles.
- If possible, book with an instructor who speaks good English so your child can understand the instructions and if there's a problem, they can understand it
